As of May 13, 2025
This report is to provide timely information on regional agroclimate conditions, risks, and impacts across Canada. Reports are produced every four weeks.
National Overview
The most significant climate-related agricultural risks for the April 2025 reporting period are drought and dry conditions in British Columbia and Alberta.
Low snowpack and poor spring precipitation across British Columbia, and portions of the Prairies, did not provide adequate moisture to replenish soils and surface water supplies. Spring drought conditions were most severe in British Columbia and western Alberta.
Above normal temperatures are forecasted throughout the country (compared to 1991-2020 averages), and may result in accelerated field work and seeding activities. However, more moisture is needed in Western Canada to support seed germination.
30 Day Precipitation Percentiles (April 12 to May 12, 2025)
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British Columbia’s coastal, southern and Peace regions, as well as the northern portions of the Prairie agricultural areas received much lower than normal precipitation over the last 30 days. Precipitation was above normal across pockets of the western and southern Prairies as well as across much of Eastern Canada, particularly eastern Quebec and the Atlantic Region.
Canadian Drought Monitor (Conditions as of April 30, 2025)
Canadian Drought Monitor, conditions as of April 30, 2025, high-resolution image (5 MB JPG)
Overall drought conditions have improved significantly since last fall. At the end of April, 32% of the country’s agricultural landscape was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) with 6% under Moderate Drought (D1) or higher drought conditions.
In British Columbia, low winter snowpack and poor spring precipitation have resulted dry and drought conditions in coastal and northeastern regions. Extreme Drought (D3) is present in Alberta along the southern Foothills due to long-term precipitation deficits, that have resulted in well below normal snowpack, low surface water levels, and dry soils. Northern agricultural regions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba are in Moderate Drought (D1) as a result of lingering drought conditions from 2024, and poor spring precipitation. Despite a very dry fall through much of Eastern Canada, winter and early spring precipitation have improved conditions to near-normal.
The driest region of the country is in southwestern Alberta.
Regional Conditions
- British Columbia
- Southern portions of the province received above average winter precipitation. However, the growing season has begun with low precipitation on Vancouver Island and in the south east. The northeastern, west-central and coastal regions received below normal precipitation over winter, continuing into early spring.
- Above average winter precipitation has resulted in a slower start to the fire season. However, northeastern British Columbia, including the Peace region, remains in drought with elevated fire danger in those areas. As of May 9 there were 31 active wildfires with 11 reported as out of control. The severity of the 2025 fire season will depend heavily on precipitation levels in May and June.
- Damage to winter crops is expected to be minimal due to overall good winter conditions. Good conditions for tree fruit should result in good spring budding.
- Alberta
- April conditions were generally warm with normal to slightly above normal precipitation in the south and drier conditions in northern and central agricultural areas.
- Winter precipitation was well above normal for much of Alberta, the exceptions being the eastern Rockies, the southwest, and portions of the Peace Region. Low snow pack along the eastern Rockies has led to concerns over irrigation reservoirs and water supplies that rely on runoff from this region in southern Alberta. Both the Bow and Oldman River Basins have been impacted.
- Low spring precipitation, above normal temperatures, and high winds have increased wildfire risk. The forecast from the Canadian Fire Service indicates that a large area of eastern Alberta, as well as the Peace Region, are rated as being in “extreme danger”. At this time agricultural production areas have not been affected.
- Provincial seeding progress, as of May 9, was 24% of major crops seeded compared to the five-year average of 23%. While progress in the south is still 16% behind the five-year average for major crops, the northwest and Peace regions are notably ahead of average.
- Pasture and tame hay fields are rated at 52% in good to excellent condition and tame hay growth is 47% rated good or excellent.
- Saskatchewan
- Well below normal precipitation dominated northern and southwest agricultural regions in April. Above normal moisture was received in the southeast. April temperatures trended above normal across the province, which will help field work progress but could also result in producers seeding into dry soils.
- As of May 5, seeding was well underway at 18% planted, ahead of the five-year average of 10%. The southwest is the most advanced thus far, with 43% of that region seeded.
- Livestock producers are expecting the moisture in coming weeks to support water supplies and pasture conditions. Overall, 48% of the pasture was in excellent or good condition.
- Manitoba
- Manitoba received below-normal April precipitation across the province with the exception of the southwest where precipitation was above normal. Eastern areas are experiencing dry conditions while seedbed conditions in the southwest, central, northwest and Interlake regions are good and soil moisture is at optimal levels.
- As of May 7, seeding was slightly ahead of normal for this time of year with almost half the spring wheat acres in the central and Interlake regions already seeded. In the southwest, soil conditions for seeding have been rated as optimal. Winter wheat and fall rye survival looks good.
- Hay supplies are generally adequate with some producers expecting carry-over. Pasture and hay fields are slowly greening up and showing minimal growth caused by widespread overgrazing due to limited feed supplies in previous years. This has resulted in producers delaying the transition to pastures.
- Ontario
- All regions have received adequate rain to support the start of the 2025 growing season. In areas with heavy clay soils, excessive April rain may delay fieldwork.
- As of May 5, areas of the southwest were well into spring planting, with some areas estimating over 50% of the crop acres planted, while others are just getting started. Corn seeding has begun across the province, despite some areas experiencing slight delays due to rain.
- There are no reported impacts to the livestock sector at this time.
- Quebec
- Southern Quebec is experiencing a slow start of the growing season with relatively cool and wet conditions across the region.
- Seeding of small cereals has begun, and corn and soybeans are starting in warmer regions. Frequent rain events and cooler temperatures experienced the past few weeks slowed progress during much of the reporting period. Temperatures have increased significantly later in the reporting period which will allow producers to catch-up on seeding.
- Winter survival of fall seeded cereals and forage crops is reported to be excellent.
- Horticultural crop planting are progressing well. Despite a cold front bringing freezing temperature in the nights of April 30 and May 1, no significant damage was reported.
- Maple syrup production is reported to be average to above-average.
- Atlantic Region
- Temperatures have been cool, with a risk of frost in many areas. There have been some heavy precipitation events with reports of soil washouts.
- In some areas, conditions have been wet, but winds are drying soil relatively quickly.
- Producers are busy fertilizing across the region using both organic and inorganic fertilizers.
- Planting is underway in some areas of the region with spring cereals, early soybean, corn, and some early potato varieties being seeded.
- There are burning restrictions across the region. Fallen dead wood from the last hurricane and windy conditions have resulted in elevated fire risk in forested areas bordering farmland.
Forecast
- The May forecast is for above normal temperatures across the country, with the highest probability of above normal temperatures present in southeastern British Columbia, southwestern Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba and eastern Quebec. Above average precipitation is expected in northern British Columbia, western and southern Alberta, eastern Ontario and Quebec as well as New Brunswick and western Prince Edward Island.
- The seasonal forecast (May, June, July) calls for above normal temperatures across the country with the highest probability found in southern British Columbia and across eastern Canada. The seasonal precipitation forecast calls for drier than normal conditions across southern portions of Western Canada and Nova Scotia.
- Persistence of warmer than normal temperatures could result in accelerated field work and seeding activities, but more moisture is needed in drought-impacted regions in order to support crop establishment.
This report was created with help from our network of Agroclimate Impact Reporter volunteers. Each month, they help us report on current conditions and weather-related risks to Canada's agriculture sector. Join the network if you are interested in becoming an Agroclimate Impact Reporter.