Gull Lake, Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – Drought expands and worsens

87 percent of agricultural land across the Canadian prairies is now considered to be abnormally dry or in drought.  This dramatic increase in both the spread and extent of the drought, follows a period of below normal precipitation, which is now stressing crops and farmers alike.   The latest Canadian Drought Monitor shows the prairies have been especially hard hit, but drought is affecting the entire country.  Across Canada, 66 percent of agricultural land is either abnormally dry or in drought.

The one bright spot on the prairies is central Alberta.   The drought classification was removed due to significant June rain storms from Banff eastward into central Alberta.  Rain totals in central Alberta in June were as high as 100 to 125 mm,  Yet, just a couple of hours to the southeast, extreme drought conditions redeveloped in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.   As the map shows, northern Alberta, most of Saskatchewan, and all of Manitoba are now considered to be abnormally dry or in drought.

Further east, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor, it was extremely dry in southern Saskatchewan,  with Estevan recording its fifth driest June on record.   Hardest hit is southwestern Saskatchewan.   In May, the area was considered abnormally dry…a low grade drought classification.   By the end of June, it had developed into extreme drought.

And, in Manitoba, it was also the fifth driest June on record for Winnipeg and Sprague.  Much of Manitoba had less than 60 percent of normal rainfall in June.

Rain is on the way to the prairies in the coming days, but is it too little, too late?    The prariie weather outlook through to July 13 is HERE.