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, 3.6 MB) suitable for printing.
August 2026 Drought Assessment
National Overview
August precipitation was highly variable across Canada, with some regions receiving exceptionally low precipitation while others received well above normal precipitation. Over the past 30 days, well below normal precipitation was recorded across much of southern British Columbia, northern Manitoba, northwestern Ontario, northwestern Quebec and much of the Northwest Territories. Well above normal precipitation was recorded in northern Alberta, central and southeastern Saskatchewan, southwestern Manitoba, and southern Ontario. June through August precipitation totals remained well below normal across southern British Columbia, northwestern Ontario, and the Northwest Territories. Over the same three-month period, well above normal precipitation was recorded throughout much of the Prairies, southern Ontario, and southern Quebec. Mean August temperatures were slightly above normal for much of Canada, with portions of northern British Columbia, northern Quebec and Labrador experiencing temperature anomalies greater than 2°C.
Continued below normal precipitation led to poor soil moisture, ongoing wildfire activity, low streamflow, and reduced surface water availability, contributing to worsening drought conditions in many regions, including southern British Columbia, northwestern Ontario, and the Northwest Territories. Notable improvements occurred in northern British Columbia, central Ontario, and northeastern Quebec.
At the end of the month, 65% of Canada was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 39% of the country's agricultural landscape.
Pacific Region (BC)
August precipitation was generally below normal across coastal British Columbia, the Coastal Mountains, the western Central Plateau, the Southern Interior, and parts of the northeast. Many areas within these regions received less than 50% of their normal monthly precipitation. In contrast, areas from the Cariboo to the Peace region, as well as parts of the northwest and East Kootenay, received near to above normal precipitation during the month. Widespread rainfall was recorded in coastal regions, parts of the Central Plateau, and the northeast during early August. A prolonged dry spell developed midmonth across much of the province, particularly in the Southern Interior, where little to no precipitation was recorded. Several storm systems at the end of the month brought precipitation to coastal and Interior regions. Thunderstorms in mid- and late August resulted in localized flooding in Vancouver and along the South Coast. Rainfall during the final week of August provided some relief to parts of the Southern Interior, where Severe Drought (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) conditions have persisted throughout the summer.
Monthly mean temperatures were near normal across southern British Columbia, Vancouver Island, and Haida Gwaii. Much of central and northern British Columbia experienced monthly mean temperatures approximately 2°C above normal, with isolated areas recording anomalies of up to 3°C above normal. Most of the province experienced near normal temperatures during early August; however, a more persistent warming trend developed by mid-month. The warmest period occurred from August 20 to 22, when temperatures across much of British Columbia were 4°C to 6°C above normal, resulting in daily maximum temperature records being broken at more than 20 locations.
The overall extent of drought in the province remained relatively unchanged from the end of July; however, drought severity experienced noteworthy improvement and worsening in different regions. August precipitation brought some relief, reducing drought severity across parts of central and northern British Columbia. In the north, two areas of Extreme Drought (D3) were removed, and areas of Severe Drought (D2) were reduced. In the Interior Plateau, one area of Extreme Drought (D3) was eliminated, and another was reduced, while areas classified as Moderate Drought (D1) and Severe Drought (D2) remained relatively unchanged. Extended hot and dry conditions across the Southern Interior further exacerbated Extreme Drought (D3) and Exceptional Drought (D4) conditions. Streamflow in the Southern Interior and portions of the Interior Plateau remained below 50% of mean annual discharge. Most stations in the Southern Interior were below 10% of normal discharge, with record-low flows observed in the Okanagan. Agricultural water shortages and ongoing wildfire activity continued to threaten crops and livestock throughout the Southern Interior. Numerous large wildfires remained active across the region, particularly in the Okanagan, Cariboo, and Kootenay regions. As a result of severe precipitation deficits, extremely low streamflow, and associated impacts, areas of Extreme Drought (D3) and Exceptional Drought (D4) continued to expand eastward.
At the end of the month, 75% of the province was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Drought (D1 to D4), including 82% of the province's agricultural landscape. As of August 31, 11% of British Columbia was classified as either Extreme Drought (D3) or Exceptional Drought (D4).
Prairie Region (AB, SK, MB)
Precipitation patterns varied across the Prairies in August, with active weather producing significant localized rainfall in many areas. Two heavy rainfall events through southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba, occurring from August 13 to 15 and August 30 to 31, resulted in more than double the normal August precipitation and further saturated already wet soils. Northwestern, southwestern, and central Alberta, as well as central Saskatchewan, also recorded above normal precipitation. However, large portions of the Prairies received well below normal precipitation, including most of Manitoba, northern Saskatchewan, northeastern Alberta, and portions of southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. Northern Manitoba received less than 50% of normal August precipitation, contributing to three-month precipitation deficits. Weather across southeastern Alberta and southwestern and south-central Saskatchewan was dominated by dry conditions and rapidly drying soils. Despite precipitation deficits during August, most of Alberta recorded above normal summer precipitation, with central regions receiving well above normal amounts, including record-breaking totals in Edmonton. Southern Saskatchewan and much of southern Manitoba recorded near to above normal seasonal precipitation.
Most of the Prairies experienced near normal monthly mean temperatures in August, except for parts of eastern Saskatchewan and much of southern Manitoba, where temperatures were 1°C to 2°C below normal. In Alberta, the first half of August was cool and wet, with the largest precipitation accumulations occurring in the Calgary region. Conditions became warmer and drier during the second half of the month.
Abnormally dry and drought conditions across northern and southeastern Manitoba expanded significantly because of exceptionally low August precipitation and drier-than-normal conditions throughout the summer. Moderate Drought (D1) expanded along the Manitoba-Ontario border, while Severe Drought (D2) conditions expanded in portions of northern Manitoba. Above normal rainfall across northern Saskatchewan reduced drought conditions. In contrast, dry conditions across south-central and southwestern Saskatchewan resulted in the expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions and the addition of a small area of Moderate Drought (D1). In southern Alberta, Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) conditions developed in response to below normal precipitation during both August and the summer period.
At the end of the month, 56% of the Prairie Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 35% of the region's agricultural landscape.
Central Region (ON, QC)
Precipitation varied considerably across Ontario and Quebec, with well below normal precipitation across much of northwestern Ontario and northwestern Quebec, and well above normal precipitation across much of southern Ontario, northeastern Ontario, and eastern Quebec. Parts of southern and eastern Ontario, including London, Welland, and areas northeast of Peterborough, received more than double their normal August precipitation. Numerous daily precipitation records were broken in southern Ontario on August 2, and in eastern Ontario on August 22. August was the fourth consecutive month with above normal precipitation in southern Ontario. Extreme rainfall continued to affect the Niagara region, following historically intense events in July, resulting in states of emergency being declared in St. Catharines and neighbouring communities. A severe thunderstorm on August 12 in the Ottawa-Gatineau region also resulted in significant flooding.
Despite substantial rainfall across many areas of central Canada, northwestern Ontario, northwestern Quebec, and portions of southern Quebec continued to receive well below normal precipitation. Large portions of northwestern Ontario received less than 40% of normal August precipitation, contributing to significant seasonal deficits. Northwestern Quebec also experienced below normal precipitation, with the northern portion of the region recording the largest monthly deficits. Southern Quebec, from Montréal to Québec City and south to the U.S. border, continued to experience precipitation deficits during August, receiving only 40% to 60% of normal precipitation. Over the past three months, this region received 60% to 85% of normal precipitation, with conditions becoming progressively drier during the second half of summer.
August mean temperatures were near normal across most of the region, with warmer-than-normal conditions in far northern Ontario and northeastern Quebec. Temperature records indicate that the first half of the month was warmer than normal, while the second half was cooler than normal. Temperature extremes were less pronounced than in previous months.
As a result of continued precipitation deficits, drought conditions worsened across northwestern Ontario. Severe Drought (D2) expanded significantly throughout the region, with several areas of Extreme Drought (D3) emerging in the far north, northeast, and south near Thunder Bay and east of Lake Nipigon. Areas classified as Extreme Drought (D3) experienced seasonal precipitation deficits exceeding 100 mm and rank among the five driest years of the past century based on historical records.
In northwestern Quebec, Severe Drought (D2) continued to expand as precipitation deficits increased through August. A small area of Extreme Drought (D3) also emerged in the northern portion of the region. Northeastern Quebec received significant rainfall during August, providing relief to areas that had been exceptionally dry throughout the season. As a result, large portions of the drought-affected area improved from Extreme Drought (D3) to Severe Drought (D2).
Dry conditions persisted in the region between Montréal and Québec City, resulting in an expansion of Moderate Drought (D1). Portions of this region received approximately 65 mm less precipitation than normal during August, adding to deficits accumulated over previous months.
At the end of the month, 74% of the Central Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 33% of the region's agricultural landscape.
Atlantic Region (NS, NB, PE, NL)
Precipitation across the Atlantic Region was generally near to above normal during August, with the driest areas only slightly below normal. A cold front moved through the region during the first week of August, bringing rainfall to New Brunswick, western Prince Edward Island, and southwestern Nova Scotia. Mid-month showers and thunderstorms produced localized rainfall across the Maritime provinces. Widespread rainfall and thunderstorms at the end of the month resulted in 150 to 200% of normal precipitation across eastern New Brunswick and western Prince Edward Island.
Three-month precipitation totals were below normal in western New Brunswick, the St. George Bay region of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, and much of Labrador. Below normal precipitation was also recorded in southeastern Newfoundland and along the Northern Peninsula. Three- and six-month precipitation totals remained exceptionally low across Labrador, with some areas recording severe long-term precipitation deficits.
Monthly mean temperatures were generally above normal across the region. Following a cool start to the month, a heat event across the Maritimes resulted in temperatures reaching the mid-30s and contributed substantially to above normal monthly temperatures. Several locations recorded one of their five warmest Augusts on record, with Halifax experiencing its warmest August on record.
Below normal precipitation over the past several months and poor streamflow conditions in western New Brunswick resulted in the expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions and the establishment of Moderate Drought (D1). However, increased rainfall during August reduced Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions in northeastern New Brunswick and central Nova Scotia.
Dry conditions persisted across much of Newfoundland, resulting in continued Moderate Drought (D1) conditions on the Avalon Peninsula and the expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions across central Newfoundland. Continued precipitation deficits and low streamflow sustained Severe Drought (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) conditions across much of Labrador.
At the end of the month, 71% of the Atlantic Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 32% of the region's agricultural landscape.
Northern Region (YK, NWT)
Most areas of the Northern Region recorded below normal precipitation in August. Although precipitation varied across the region, large portions of Yukon received 60% to 85% of normal precipitation, while smaller areas received 40% to 60% of normal. In the Northwest Territories, extensive areas received 40% to 60% of normal precipitation, while significant portions received less than 40% of normal August precipitation.
On a seasonal basis, precipitation was near normal across much of Yukon. However, smaller areas along the Alaska border in the southwest and along the Yukon-Northwest Territories border in the Mackenzie Mountains received only 40% to 60% of normal precipitation. Southern portions of the Northwest Territories continued to experience the largest precipitation deficits, receiving less than 40% of normal precipitation across much of the region.
Monthly mean temperatures were generally above normal across the North, with larger anomalies observed in Yukon. Much of Yukon experienced temperatures more than 2°C above normal, with areas of southeastern Yukon recording anomalies of up to 5°C above normal. In the Northwest Territories, temperatures were generally 1 to 2°C above normal, with a small area in the southwest recording anomalies exceeding 5°C above normal.
Below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures resulted in a slight expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) conditions in Yukon. A new area of Abnormally Dry (D0) developed in northwestern Yukon along the Alaska border.
In the Northwest Territories, drought conditions improved slightly in northern regions, where August precipitation improved soil moisture and streamflow north of Great Bear Lake and near Norman Wells. In southern portions of the territory, drought conditions continued to worsen. Significant late-summer precipitation deficits resulted in substantial expansion of Severe Drought (D2) and Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Existing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions in the southeast expanded westward, while additional areas of Extreme Drought (D3) developed in the Cartridge Plateau, the Horn Plateau, and southeast of Great Bear Lake. Long-term drought conditions that have persisted since 2022 continue to affect forest health, water levels, and streamflow across much of the Northwest Territories. Water levels and streamflow remain well below normal as a result of multi-year drought, limited rainfall, and below normal winter snowpacks. Dry conditions also continue to contribute to significant wildfire activity.
At the end of the month, 53% of the Northern Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Drought (D1-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.