Above normal precipitation and generally colder than normal temperatures resulted in moderate drought improvement through the Prairie Region in December.
According to the latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor, abnormal dryness or some form of drought was impacting 62% of Prairie agricultural lands at the end of December. That’s down from 71% at the end of November and below the October and September readings of 68% and 64%.
Much of Canada received significant precipitation in December, leading to widespread improvement in drought conditions. While drought continued to affect every province and territory, western Canada saw some of the most notable gains, particularly across southern British Columbia, the Peace Region, and the northern Prairies. However, long-term moisture deficits remain a challenge in several areas, especially in the southern Prairies, the monitor said.
In Alberta, December brought meaningful improvement across much of the province. Southern Alberta benefited from above-normal precipitation, leading to a reduction in areas of abnormal dryness and moderate drought, though pockets of moderate drought persisted near Medicine Hat and south of Lethbridge along the US border. Central Alberta also saw significant progress, with widespread reductions in moderate and severe drought and the elimination of extreme drought around Red Deer. The most dramatic gains occurred in northern Alberta, where heavy snowfall removed exceptional drought conditions and sharply reduced severe and extreme drought. However, areas of extreme drought remained in the Peace Region and near the Alberta–British Columbia boundary, reflecting lingering long-term deficits.
Saskatchewan experienced near-normal precipitation overall, with most regions receiving more than 85% of typical December moisture and temperatures well below normal. In southern Saskatchewan, above-normal precipitation drove improvements, shrinking areas of abnormal dryness and moderate drought. Central Saskatchewan saw more modest gains, including reduced severe drought and the contraction of extreme drought near La Ronge. Northern Saskatchewan also posted slight improvements, supported by normal to above-normal precipitation, though drought conditions have not fully resolved.
Manitoba’s drought picture was mixed but generally improving. Most of the province received near or above-normal precipitation, with temperatures several degrees below normal. Southern Manitoba saw reductions ranging from abnormal dryness through severe drought, while central Manitoba experienced improvements extending into areas previously classified as extreme drought due to repeated snowfall. In contrast, northern Manitoba showed limited change, with severe and extreme drought continuing across much of the region where moisture deficits remain entrenched.
