There was continued improvement in October, but abnormal dryness still hasn’t completely disappeared from Western Canada.

The latest monthly update of the Canadian Drought Monitor shows that designations of abnormal dryness actually expanded in central Alberta due to long-term precipitation deficits. Abnormal dryness also expanded in Alberta’s northeast and developed west of Kindersley in Saskatchewan. Abnormally dry pockets persisted north of Saskatoon and expanded around Flin Flon in Manitoba as well.

On the other hand, abnormally dry conditions were eliminated around Grande Prairie and reduced significantly around Brooks. Additionally, abnormally dry areas were reduced in northwestern Alberta, as well as pockets in areas north of Yorkton and the elimination around Uranium City and west of Meadow Lake.

In Manitoba, the long-term moderate drought pockets were removed around Arborg in the Interlake region. Abnormally dry areas have also been eliminated across much of the Interlake region but remain around Swan River.

“Overall, near to above normal precipitation in the Prairies replenished soil moisture and water supplies in October,” the monitor said.

Meanwhile, much of Ontario and Quebec saw improvement as well.

In the wake of significant precipitation late in October, severe drought was eliminated northwest of Ottawa and southwest of Barrie, while moderate drought pockets were removed around Timmins in northeastern Ontario, southwest of Ottawa, and around Repentigny and Drummondville north of Montreal due to improved soil moisture and above normal streamflow.

Abnormally dry areas south of Lake Nipigon, Sault Ste. Marie, and across much of southern Ontario and Quebec were eliminated as well.

Moderate drought conditions remain southwest of Barrie as a result of short-term precipitation deficits, well below normal soil moisture, and poor streamflow levels.

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