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, 3.6 MB) suitable for printing.

July 2026 Drought Assessment

National Overview

July precipitation varied widely across Canada, with conditions ranging from much wetter than normal to much drier than normal. Over the past 30 days, very low precipitation was recorded across British Columbia's interior, southern Alberta, eastern Northwest Territories, parts of northwestern Ontario, and southern Quebec. Growing-season precipitation remains particularly low along British Columbia's west coast, southern interior, and the Peace region of British Columbia and Alberta, where totals are generally below 40% of average. In addition to these precipitation deficits, Western Canada and Labrador experienced above-normal temperatures. British Columbia's southern interior and much of Labrador were especially warm, with temperatures exceeding 3°C above normal in some areas. This combination of limited precipitation and elevated temperatures contributed to worsening drought conditions, resulting in declining soil moisture, poor crop development, reduced streamflow, shrinking water supplies, and heightened wildfire activity in northern forests. Notable improvements occurred on western Vancouver Island, along British Columbia's central and southern coast, and in parts of the East Central and Peace regions, where well-above-normal rainfall was received.

Drought intensified across much of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, northern portions of the Prairie provinces, northwestern Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador. Areas classified as Extreme Drought (D3) expanded in British Columbia, northern Quebec, and Labrador, while new D3 areas emerged in the Northwest Territories, northern Saskatchewan, and northwestern Ontario. Exceptional Drought (D4) also developed in British Columbia's southern interior. British Columbia remains the region of greatest concern, with approximately 74% of the province classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in drought.

At the end of the month, 60% of the country was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 23% of the country's agricultural landscape.

Pacific Region (BC)

Drought conditions improved across western Vancouver Island and much of British Columbia's central and southern coast after these areas received up to twice their normal monthly rainfall. Elsewhere, below-normal precipitation and persistent warmth continued to stress water resources and ecosystems. Temperatures were mixed across the province, with above-average values recorded in southeastern and northwestern regions. Several prolonged heat events produced anomalies approaching 3°C above normal, while parts of the far northwest and central interior were slightly cooler than average.

The southern interior received less than 40% of normal precipitation in both July and over the previous 90 days, with much of the Okanagan receiving less than 5 mm of rainfall during the month. Combined with low winter snowpack and elevated temperatures, these precipitation deficits accelerated the loss of surface and soil moisture. As a result, stream flows and water supplies have declined sharply, with several rivers reaching near-record or record-low levels. Water scarcity warnings remain widespread, especially in the Okanagan, where moderate to high water scarcity is being reported. Concerns continue to grow over reservoir storage, domestic water supplies, and agricultural irrigation restrictions. Okanagan Lake is currently at its lowest level for this time of year in more than 80 years of record. Water restrictions remain in place across much of the southern interior, and several jurisdictions have strengthened existing measures. In the Salmon River watershed of the Thompson-Okanagan region, water-use restrictions now affect more than 450 license holders, limiting irrigation for forage crops and some industrial uses. Above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation continue to support high to very high wildfire danger across much of the southern interior. All six wildfire incidents currently designated as fires of note are located within this region.

Conditions in the central and northern interior were buffered earlier in the season by better snowpack; however, continued precipitation deficits and above-normal temperatures have resulted in rapidly worsening drought conditions. Agricultural areas in the central interior are experiencing notable soil moisture shortages, and reduced yields are expected in several regions, including the Peace region and the Vanderhoof area.

Given ongoing precipitation deficits, declining streamflow, water scarcity concerns, elevated wildfire risk, and agricultural impacts, drought conditions continued to worsen across British Columbia's interior during July. Extreme Drought (D3) expanded substantially, and an area of Exceptional Drought (D4) was introduced in the southern interior.

At the end of the month, 74% of the province was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Drought (D1-D4), including 84% of the province's agricultural landscape. As of July 31, 12% of British Columbia was classified as Extreme (D3) or Exceptional Drought (D4).

Prairie Region (AB, SK, MB)

Precipitation patterns varied considerably across the Prairies. Central portions of the region and southern Manitoba received above to well-above-normal precipitation, while southern Alberta and much of the northern Prairies remained dry. Southwestern Manitoba, east-central Saskatchewan, and central Alberta received more than 150% of normal monthly precipitation in some locations. In contrast, southwestern Alberta, southwestern Saskatchewan, and portions of the northern Prairies received less than 40% of normal precipitation. Temperatures were generally above average throughout the region, with southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan recording anomalies of 3 to 5°C above normal. Despite localized dryness, growing-season moisture conditions remain generally favourable across most agricultural areas, where precipitation totals range from 90% to 150% of normal. East-central Alberta continues to receive exceptionally high amounts of rainfall, exceeding 150% of normal over the past three months. The Peace region of northwestern Alberta, however, continues to experience near- to below-normal growing-season precipitation.

Although most agricultural areas have received adequate moisture this growing season, recent rainfall deficits and elevated temperatures have led to declining soil moisture across portions of the southern Prairies. Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions emerged in areas between Red Deer and Calgary and along several sections of the southern border. Continued dryness in northern regions has resulted in poor soil moisture conditions and increasing drought severity. Severe Drought (D2) expanded across northern Alberta, and a new Extreme Drought (D3) area developed. In northern Saskatchewan, Severe Drought expanded substantially, while a large area north of La Ronge was classified as Extreme Drought (D3).

At the end of the month, 38% of the Prairie Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 10% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Central Region (ON, QC)

Across Ontario and Quebec, monthly precipitation generally ranged from 60% to 115% of average. Several major storm systems delivered much of the month's rainfall, including events that caused localized flooding in the Ottawa area in early July. The heaviest precipitation was concentrated in eastern Ontario, from Oshawa to Ottawa. In contrast, portions of northwestern Ontario, northeastern Quebec, and the area around Quebec City received only 40% to 60% of normal precipitation. Northwestern Ontario deteriorated significantly as below-normal rainfall over the last two months combined with elevated temperatures to increase moisture deficits and support extensive wildfire activity. More than 140 wildfires were active at the end of July, and with over 720,000 hectares burned, Ontario's 2026 wildfire season is on track to become the most severe on record.

Parts of northern and southwestern Quebec also continued to receive below-normal precipitation. Areas along eastern Hudson Bay and sections near the St. Lawrence River received less than 40% of normal rainfall during July. Persistent deficits over the previous 60 days have reduced soil moisture and streamflow. Although precipitation improved in some northeastern areas during the month, regions bordering Labrador continued to experience below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures. Multiple drought indicators point to significant and ongoing moisture shortages, contributing to continued deterioration.

High temperatures and limited rainfall contributed to substantial drought expansion across northern Ontario and Quebec. Areas classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) through Extreme Drought (D3) expanded significantly. In northwestern Ontario, two consecutive months of below-normal precipitation resulted in rapidly declining moisture conditions and poor streamflow, leading to the development of Moderate (D1) through Extreme Drought (D3) conditions. Western Quebec also saw the emergence of Abnormally Dry and Moderate Drought classifications due to short-term precipitation deficits. The most significant deterioration occurred south of James Bay, where conditions worsened from Abnormally Dry (D0) in June to Extreme Drought (D3) by the end of July. At the end of the month, 77% of the central Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 31% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Atlantic Region (NS, NB, PE, NL)

Most of Atlantic Canada received below-normal precipitation during July. Portions of all four provinces received only 40% to 60% of normal precipitation. New Brunswick was particularly dry, with nearly the entire province receiving less than 60% of average precipitation and northern areas receiving less than 40%. In contrast, southern Nova Scotia, western Newfoundland, and parts of Labrador received above-average rainfall. Temperatures were slightly below normal across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, while Newfoundland recorded the largest negative temperature anomalies, with eastern areas averaging 2 to 3°C below normal.

Dry conditions in New Brunswick led to the development of an Abnormally Dry (D0) area covering much of the northern and eastern portions of the province. Below-normal precipitation also persisted across eastern and western Newfoundland, resulting in expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) areas and the development of Severe Drought (D2) on the western Avalon Peninsula. Above-normal precipitation in southern Nova Scotia eliminated the remaining Abnormally Dry area from previous months.

At the end of the month, 68% of the Atlantic Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or in Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2), including 26% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Northern Region (YK, NWT)

Precipitation patterns varied markedly across the North. The eastern Northwest Territories received less than 40% of normal precipitation, while parts of the northwest received more than 200% of normal. Yukon precipitation was generally near normal. Temperatures across the Northwest Territories were mostly below average. Yukon temperatures were below average in western and northern areas but as much as 3 to 5°C above average in the southeast, extending into adjacent parts of the Northwest Territories.

Long-term drought conditions that have persisted since 2022 continue to affect forest health, water levels, and streamflow throughout much of the Northwest Territories. Widespread tree stress, foliage discolouration, and mortality have been reported. Water levels and stream flows remain well below normal due to multi-year drought, limited rainfall, and low winter snowpacks. However, most major lakes and rivers remain higher than at the same time last year. Dry conditions also continue to contribute to significant wildfire activity, with 217 active wildfires reported in the region.

Very low precipitation across the eastern Northwest Territories led to a notable expansion of drought. North of Great Slave Lake, Severe Drought (D2) expanded substantially, and a large area of Extreme Drought (D3) developed. Drought conditions also spread westward toward the Yukon border, increasing the extent of Moderate (D1) and Severe Drought (D2). In Yukon, the Abnormally Dry (D0) area expanded westward from the Northwest Territories and along the British Columbia border.

At the end of the month, 49% 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.