Abnormal dryness and drought have improved markedly across Western Canada following above normal precipitation in most areas during November.
The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor shows just over one-third (34%) of Prairie agricultural lands were being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought as of the end of November. That is down from 57% at the end of October and below 42% in September.
A sizable portion of the Prairie region received over 200% of normal monthly precipitation during November. Along with cooler temperatures, the precipitation “helped reduce or alleviate drought conditions in many regions,” the monitor said.
In central Alberta, November precipitation led to a significant reduction of severe drought areas and the elimination of an area of extreme drought that had persisted for much of the year. The west-central region also saw a reduction in abnormally dry conditions around Lloydminster. Northern Alberta experienced minor improvements in drought conditions in November, including the Peace River region which saw reductions in abnormally dry to extreme drought. On the other hand, drought conditions worsened in southwestern Alberta during November, with continued below normal precipitation in the Foothills.
Southern Saskatchewan saw some improvement in November, specifically, the removal of severe drought. However, abnormally dry and moderate drought areas remained, with pockets of moderate drought persisting around Swift Current, Moose Jaw and along southcentral areas near the Canada/US border. In northern Saskatchewan, drought conditions also improved with the removal of two pockets of severe drought, one north of Buffalo Narrows and another in the area northeast of La Ronge that extends towards the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border.
In Manitoba, November precipitation and adequate soil moisture reserves throughout the province meant short-term drought conditions improved significantly across the central part of the province. Only a few moderate drought pockets remained in the province, including areas around Flinn Flon and The Pas in the northwest, Island Lake in the northeast, Swan Valley in the west central region and the southwestern corner of the province.
