Drought and dryness improved in Ontario and Quebec in February, even as monthly precipitation was generally below average.
According to the latest monthly update of the Canadian Drought Monitor, 85% of the agricultural lands in the central region – which includes both Ontario and Quebec – were being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought as of the end of February, down 10 points from January and 12 points below December.
However, as the spring planting season draws nearer, southern Ontario still needs more moisture.
The most persistent February dryness was reported in southern Ontario, where precipitation totals were generally only 40% to 60% of normal, and some pockets along the southernmost tip received less than 40%. As a result, abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions continue across much of the region heading toward spring. Still, snowfall totals were significant in some locations. The Waterloo Region, for example, recorded more than 206 centimetres of snow this winter — more than double the seasonal average, the monitor said.
Meanwhile, rapid snowmelt combined with rainfall in mid-February also raised flood concerns in parts of southern Ontario, including Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Halton.
On the other hand, northwestern Ontario received near- to above-normal precipitation in February, ranging from about 85% to more than 200% of normal in some areas. That additional moisture helped reduce moderate drought coverage across parts of the region.
Across central and eastern Ontario, precipitation totals were typically 60% to 85% of normal. Although moisture remained limited, some recent precipitation allowed a small area of severe drought in central Ontario to be removed. Regardless, abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions remain widespread across much of the region.
Cooler-than-normal temperatures dominated eastern and southern Ontario and southern Quebec in February, while conditions were closer to seasonal levels farther north.
Widespread precipitation deficits persisted across southern Quebec and parts of northern Quebec, contributing to ongoing long-term moisture shortages in several areas.
