Almost all Ontario and Quebec agricultural lands are now being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought.
According to the latest monthly update of the Canadian Drought Monitor on Thursday, 99% of the agricultural lands in the Central Region – which includes both Ontario and Quebec – were classified as abnormally dry or in some form of drought by the end of October. That’s up 2 points from September and 84% in August.
Precipitation was near normal across much of Ontario as late-month storms brought substantial precipitation to southern and eastern Ontario, improving short-term moisture levels, the monitor said. Meanwhile, significant moisture was received in parts of northwestern Ontario, where several communities including Kenora recorded more than 200% of normal precipitation.
Across Southern Ontario, overall drought severity eased slightly in October, with many areas shifting to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions due to recent precipitation events. However, significant droughts remain in areas north of the Greater Toronto Area, including Barrie, Kingston, and Ottawa, where severe drought and pockets of extreme drought persist.
Drought conditions worsened in central Ontario and southwest Quebec, with the expansion of severe and extreme drought around the North Bay and Val-d’Or corridor.
In Southeastern Quebec and the Gaspé Peninsula, drought intensified, with short-term extreme drought conditions emerging around Sherbrooke and expanding across the Gaspé region into New Brunswick. Ongoing dryness also contributed to elevated wildfire risk in parts of western Quebec.
