Dryness has taken a firmer hold on Ontario as below normal rainfall in many areas in September continued through October.
More than half (57%) of the agricultural lands in the central region – which includes both Ontario and Quebec – were being impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of last month, according to the latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor. That is up from one-third at the end of September and just 10% at the end of August. (The map below shows the increase in abnormal dryness in drought in October versus September).
“Following a wet growing season, the late summer has been seen well below normal precipitation resulting in quickly developing abnormally dry and drought conditions across the region,” the monitor said.
Large areas in northwestern Ontario, southern Ontario, and southern Quebec received less than 60% of normal precipitation during October, while areas northwest of Toronto and in the Montréal region received less than 40% of normal.
Southern portions of Ontario and Quebec saw growing short-term precipitation deficits leading to the expansion of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions. Drought conditions also worsened in northwestern Ontario during the month.
