Southern Alberta continues to struggle with drought this summer

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) recently provided an update on the National Drought Report for the month of June.   

The AAFC monitors and reports on national drought conditions through the Canadian Drought Monitor, (CDM) which is Canada’s official source for the monitoring and reporting of drought nationally.    

Trevor Hadwen, agroclimate specialist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, pointed out the drought situation in the Prairies in June and noted variable precipitation amounts, stating that while the region experienced large storm events through central Alberta and Saskatchewan, large portions of the southern 

Prairies received very little precipitation, as well as northwestern Alberta. 

“Abnormally dry conditions were present at the end of June throughout much of the region,” said Hadwen. “The Prairie region typically receives more precipitation during June than any other month of the year. June is also a critical period for crops and pastures, so if we don’t receive adequate precipitation in June, it is very difficult to make up that moisture in July.” 

Hadwen noted the significant changes in the past month, that impacted various parts of the region in different ways.

“The southern Prairies, as well as northwestern Alberta, received very low precipitation through June or precipitation along with hot, windy, dry conditions in this region this spring, that have led to the development of significant drought conditions,” he said. “This includes southern Saskatchewan, southeastern Alberta, and south-central Manitoba. 

He said they remain concerned about large portions of the Prairie region and pointed out the state of the Peace River region, which “remains extremely dry, and livestock producers, as well as crop producers are struggling.”

“Southern regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan, especially southwestern Saskatchewan, where conditions have quickly deteriorated, are a significant concern,” Said Hadwen. 

In providing an update for southern Alberta, Hadwen noted the struggling situation for both cattle ranchers and crop producers.  

“Most of southern Alberta continues to deteriorate. However, parts of southwestern Alberta received some significant precipitation this month, improving water supplies and soil moisture reserves,” he said. “Conditions through southern Alberta are not as severe as southern Saskatchewan. However, dryland producers are seeing crop maturity events quicker than normal and drought stress in crops. Pastures have dried up in many of the regions and are not providing the feed required for cattle herds.” 

Looking ahead to what can be expected for the Prairies in July – which typically sees less precipitation and higher temperatures, noted Hadwen – there may be continued moisture loss. 

“Environment and Climate Change Canada is suggesting a moderate probability of temperatures being above average,” said Hadwen, noting no indication of significant amounts of precipitation in the region. “Based on these forecasts, the chance of improvement in July is low. As summer continues, it becomes more difficult to improve the drought situation and very difficult to improve the impacts of severe droughts.”

For more information on the latest and past drought analysis, visit http://www.agr.gc.ca/drought