Drought conditions prevail across Canada

By Lethbridge Herald on October 18, 2025.

Al Beeber
Lethbridge Herald

Precipitation last month In Alberta was limited with most of the  province getting less than 25 per cent of normal amounts.

In southern Alberta, the lack of rain contributed to the expansion of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions, according to the latest report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Banff, Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Lloydminster saw less than 10 per  cent of normal monthly precipitation and a new severe drought pocket emerged south of Red Deer. A pocket of moderate drought, however, was removed near Medicine Hat in September.

In western Saskatchewan some areas received less than 40 per cent of  normal precipitation but some areas in the southeastern portion of  that province saw 200 per cent of normal rainfall. The report notes that dry conditions improved in southern areas of that province east  of Regina.

Some areas of B.C. including the Kootenays only had 25 to 50 per cent  of normal rainfall while Cranbrook (19.3 per cent) was among areas that saw less than 25 per cent of normal levels. Kelowna only received 5.9 per cent of its normal rainfall with continued poor precipitation and warm temperatures leading to increased drought in some areas. In northern B.C.,  the city of Dawson Creek has only 150 days supply of water in its reservoir and has entered Stage 3 conservation measures.

Coastal areas, however, were wetter with amounts ranging from 125 to 200 per cent of normal levels.

“In September drought conditions continued to deteriorate throughout  much of Canada. As of September 30, a large majority of Canada was classified as Abnormally Dry or in drought with areas of each province and territory experiencing Extreme Drought (D3),” says the report.

At month’s end, 85 per cent of Canada was classified as abnormally dry or in a state of moderate to extreme drought – including 76 per cent  of the country’s agricultural landscape.

According to agroclimate specialist Trevor Hadwen, “precipitation was  generally below normal across the country in September,” two exceptions being the coastal region of B.C. and the southeastern Prairies, which saw drought recovery.

Compounding the drought situation, western Canada saw well above normal temperatures which resulted in moisture loss,” said Hadwen.

“As of the end of September, we fin ourselves in the unique situation  where all provinces and territories” have areas of extreme drought  with exceptional drought in northern B.C. and Alberta as well as New  Brunswick and Nova Scotia, said Hadwen.

“It is uncommon to have entire provinces or entire regions covered by drought, however that is the case with Atlantic Canada this month,” he said.

Looking to the future, Hadwen says the seasonal forecast for October through December calls for “a high probability of above normal temperatures throughout eastern Canada with less confidence in western  Canada. There are some areas of western Canada including British Columbia where the forecast is pointing to above normal precipitation, however much of the country has equal chances of above, below or near normal precipitation for the next three months.”

The specialist says it’s difficult to determine if drought conditions will improve or degrade over the next several months.