Current drought conditions - agriculture.canada.ca

Description of the image above.

The map above shows the extent and severity of drought conditions across Canada. The scale used runs from D0 Abnormally dry to D4 Exceptional drought.

Download a high resolution map and narrative (PDF Version, 773 KB) suitable for printing.

December 2025 Drought Assessment

National Overview

Much of Canada received significant precipitation in December, improving drought conditions significantly. Despite substantial improvement in most regions of the country, drought continued to impact all provinces and territories. Western Canada experienced noteworthy improvement, especially throughout southern British Columbia, the Peace Region and the northern Prairies. Much of Eastern Canada also received enough precipitation to improving overall drought conditions. However, parts of eastern Ontario, southern Quebec and the Maritime region received near to below normal precipitation resulting in small changes in drought conditions. Temperatures were above normal across much of British Columbia with southern regions of the province experiencing regions of 4-5 degrees above the monthly normal. The rest of Canada, except for small areas of southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, experienced below normal temperatures, with northern regions of Alberta and the Yukon seeing monthly temperature departures more than 5 degrees below normal.

At the end of the month, 77% of the country was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Exceptional Drought (D4), including 73% of the country's agricultural landscape.

Pacific Region (BC)

British Columbia experienced a predominantly wet December, with normal to well above-normal precipitation across much of the province. Localized areas exceeded 200% of normal including stations in Victoria, Fort St John, and Fort Nelson. In contrast, below normal precipitation was received along portions of Vancouver Island and the South Coast. Temperatures varied, with northern British Columbia experiencing temperatures up to 10 degrees colder than normal, while southeastern British Columbia was up to 4 degrees warmer than usual. Snowfall was highly variable, with exceptionally high accumulations across northern and northwestern regions, while parts of southern British Columbia received below-normal snowfall. Snowpacks are substantially higher than last year with several locations already exceeding their peak Snow Water Equivalent values from 2025.

Drought conditions improved across southern British Columbia. On Vancouver Island and along the Coast & Lower Mainland, reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) reflect increased precipitation from multiple atmospheric river events. In the Thompson–Okanagan and Kootenay, improvements were more pronounced, with significant reductions of Severe Drought (D2), Moderate Drought (D1), and Abnormally Dry (D0) areas. However, isolated pockets of Severe Drought (D2) persisted in the Shuswap Highlands and east of the Okanagan Highlands, where longer term precipitation deficits remain. In central British Columbia, moisture levels continued to improve, but conditions remained mixed. The Cariboo region saw a significant reduction in Severe Drought (D2) extent and the removal of Extreme Drought (D3), although much of the region remained in Abnormally Dry (D0) to Moderate Drought (D1) condition, with scattered Severe Drought (D2) pockets. In parts of the Interior, precipitation totals were not sufficient to drive substantial changes in drought categories. The southern parts of the region experienced slight improvements, including a notable reduction in Severe Drought (D2) and the removal of Extreme Drought (D3), supported by above-normal precipitation and strong snowfall accumulation. In northern British Columbia, the Peace River region experienced a significant reduction in Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought and the removal of the Exceptional Drought (D4); however, persistent Severe Drought (D2) and Moderate Drought (D1) areas remained south of Dawson Creek along the British Columbia–Alberta border, reflecting ongoing low water supply concerns despite heavy snowfall in parts of the region. The northern parts of the Nechako region also improved with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1), as a result of well above-normal precipitation and snowfall.

At the end of the month, 50% of the Pacific Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Extreme Drought (D3), including 70% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Prairie Region (AB, SK, MB)

Above normal precipitation and generally colder than normal temperatures in December resulted in moderate drought improvement through the Prairie Region. Mean temperatures were below normal across much of the Prairies, with temperatures 6 to 10 degrees below normal recorded in northern Alberta and northern Saskatchewan. Snowstorms resulted in above normal precipitation across Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba, with several locations receiving more than three times their normal monthly totals. In contrast, portions of northern Saskatchewan and northern Manitoba recorded near-normal precipitation. Despite significant snowfall throughout the Prairies, this precipitation was not enough to make up from long term deficits, especially in the southern regions.

In southern Alberta, above normal precipitation supported drought improvement, with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1); however, two Moderate Drought (D1) pockets persisted near Medicine Hat and south of Lethbridge along the Alberta–U.S. border. Central Alberta also experienced notable improvements, as widespread reductions in Moderate (D1) and Severe (D2) Drought occurred and the Extreme Drought (D3) area around Red Deer was removed). In northern Alberta, conditions improved more substantially. In the northwest, extraordinary snowfall led to the removal of Exceptional Drought (D4) and significant reductions in Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought, although an Extreme (D3) Drought area remained in the Peace Region and southwest of Grande Prairie along the Alberta–British Columbia border. Overall, high snowpack and regular snowfall events contributed to improved moisture conditions across much of the province, despite some localized areas of below-normal snowpack in central and eastern regions.

Saskatchewan received near normal December precipitation with most of the province receiving more than 85% of normal. Monthly temperatures were below normal across the province with the coldest temperatures anomalies experienced in central areas of the province at more the 4 degrees below normal. Across southern Saskatchewan, above-normal precipitation led to improvement with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) areas. Western portions of central Saskatchewan experienced slight improvements this month, including reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) through Severe Drought (D2) and reduction in Extreme Drought (D3) around La Ronge. In northern Saskatchewan, conditions also improved slightly, with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) through Severe Drought (D2), supported by normal to above-normal precipitation.

Most of the Manitoba experienced more than 85% of normal December precipitation except for pockets of the southeast, southwest, and the north where 40% to 85% of normal precipitation was received. Monthly temperatures were below normal across the province with most areas seeing temperatures 3 to 4 degrees below normal. In southern Manitoba, above-normal precipitation led to reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) through Severe Drought (D2) conditions. Central Manitoba also saw improvement, including reductions in Moderate (D1) through Extreme Drought (D3) as moisture conditions benefited from repeated snowfall events. In northern Manitoba, only minor adjustments were made to drought conditions, with Severe Drought (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) remaining across much of the region. Overall, while much of Manitoba experienced improving drought conditions, persistent Moderate (D1) to Severe (D2) drought continued in parts of the north where moisture deficits remain.

At the end of the month, 79% of the Prairie Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Extreme Drought (D3), including 62% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Central Region (ON, QC)

In December, the Central Region experienced variable precipitation with snowfall contributing to short-term moisture gains in several areas. Northwestern Ontario received precipitation ranging from 40 to over 200% of normal, while eastern Ontario was drier with 60 to 85% of normal precipitation received. Southern Ontario recorded near-normal conditions, with totals ranging from 60 to 150% of normal. In Quebec, most southern areas received 60 to 85% of normal precipitation. Northern Quebec was mixed, with the southern Abitibi-Témiscamingue region receiving 85 to 150% of normal precipitation, while much of the remainder of northern Quebec remained drier, with less than 60% of normal precipitation. Temperatures were slightly cooler than normal across the region, with periods of extreme cold in Quebec supporting snowpack development.

In Ontario, drought conditions generally improved in December. Northern Ontario saw notable improvements, with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) to Severe Drought (D2) conditions and a significant reduction in Extreme Drought (D3). Eastern portions of northern Ontario improved due to multiple high-impact snowfall events, although lingering dryness persisted near the Ontario–Manitoba border. Eastern and Central Ontario experienced improvement, with reductions in Severe Drought (D2) and the removal of the Extreme Drought (D3) pocket, as a result of accumulating snowfall from snow squalls and clipper systems. Despite recent snowfall, groundwater concerns remain in eastern Ontario, with Ottawa reporting approximately 25% less precipitation than average for the year and requesting residents on private wells to limit water use. Western and southern Ontario experienced only slight improvements overall, with Severe Drought (D2) removed in some areas and maintained around Sarnia and London where dryness lingered.

In Quebec, December weather conditions were mixed resulting both improvement and worsening of drought conditions across the province. Drought conditions in northern Quebec improved, with reductions in Severe Drought (D2) and removal of Extreme Drought (D3) in the southern Abitibi-Témiscamingue region thanks to above-normal monthly precipitation. Southeast Quebec experienced slight worsening of drought conditions, with an expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) reflecting ongoing precipitation deficits. The Gaspé Peninsula also experienced worsening conditions, with expansion of Moderate Drought (D1), the addition of Severe Drought (D2) pockets, and the maintenance of existing Extreme Drought (D3).

At the end of the month, 86% of the Central Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate to Extreme Drought (D1) to (D3), including 97% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Atlantic Region (NS, NB, PE, NL)

Overall, much of the Atlantic Region experienced near- to below-normal December precipitation, accompanied by slightly cooler than normal temperatures. New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia received 60 to 85% of normal precipitation, with rainfall deficits more pronounced in eastern New Brunswick and central PEI. In contrast, Newfoundland was notably wet, with precipitation ranging from 85% to over 200% of normal, while Labrador showed greater variability, receiving 40% to 150% of normal precipitation. In Newfoundland and Labrador, monthly mean temperatures were near or below normal, snowfall totals in parts of western and northern Newfoundland were very high, although warm conditions late in the month led to significant snowmelt.

In New Brunswick, despite near-to-below normal monthly precipitation, soil moisture and surface water supply conditions continued to improve, with a reduction in Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought areas. However, pockets of Extreme drought (D3) persisted in eastern New Brunswick, where longer-term precipitation deficits remain. In Prince Edward Island, drought conditions improved, with the removal of a pocket of Extreme drought (D3) on the western tip of the island. Despite this improvement, below-normal seasonal precipitation, particularly in central portions of the island, continued to limit full recovery. In Nova Scotia, drought conditions also improved, highlighted by the removal of Extreme drought (D3) conditions in the southwest region. Most of the province is now classified as Moderate (D1) to Severe (D2) Drought. Severe Drought (D2) was maintained in parts of southwestern Nova Scotia, where ongoing precipitation deficits and mixed snowfall amounts have limited drought recovery. In Newfoundland, drought conditions improved, with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) and the removal of remaining Severe Drought (D2) areas. Abundant precipitation and above-normal snowfall, particularly in western and northern regions, supported improvements in soil moisture and surface water availability. However, localized dryness persisted on the Avonlea Peninsula and across larger portions of western Newfoundland, where longer-term precipitation deficits remain. In Labrador, drought conditions improved slightly, with a reduction in Moderate Drought (D1).

At the end of the month, 88% of the Atlantic Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate to Extreme Drought (D1) to (D3), including 97% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Northern Region (YK, NWT)

Overall conditions across the Northern Region were characterized by unusually cold temperatures and above-normal precipitation across southern and central areas. Central and southern portions of both the Yukon and the Northwest Territories experienced well-below-average temperatures, ranging from 4 to more than 10 degrees below normal. Precipitation was above normal across much of the region, particularly in southern and central areas where totals ranged from 200% to as much as 400% of normal, though some localized pockets of drier conditions persisted.

In the Yukon, drought conditions improved overall. Southern Yukon saw notable improvement, with pockets of Severe Drought (D2) removed following significant precipitation, including 418% of normal recorded at Whitehorse and 325% of normal at Watson Lake. Central Yukon also improved, with reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions; however, areas near Mayo remained dry, receiving less than 50% of normal precipitation. Northern Yukon experienced slight improvement, with small reductions in Abnormally Dry (D0), due to above-average precipitation along the northern coast.

In the Northwest Territories, drought conditions improved in the southern and central regions, where Abnormally Dry (D0) to Severe Drought (D2) was reduced and several pockets of Extreme Drought (D3) were removed. Three Extreme Drought (D3) areas were maintained: northwest of Yellowknife, east of Great Slave Lake, and west of Fort Smith near the NWT–Alberta border. These improvements occurred despite persistently low water levels across major lakes and rivers, including Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake, the Mackenzie River, Hay River, and the Liard River, all of which remained well below average for this time of year. Northern NWT conditions were near normal to wet, with coastal areas receiving 125% to 225% of normal precipitation.

At the end of the month, 76% of the Northern Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Extreme Drought (D3).

Key Drought Indicators

These are a few of the products that were converged to create this assessment. They may provide additional understanding of drought conditions.