Current drought conditions - agriculture.canada.ca

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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.

May 2026 Drought Assessment

National Overview

May precipitation was highly variable across the country. Well below normal precipitation was recorded through much of British Columbia, southern portions of the Yukon, western Alberta and through the southern prairies. Eastern Alberta and portions of the Northwest Territories received above normal precipitation in May. Normal to slightly above normal temperatures were experienced in the southern regions of the country, while northern regions experienced temperatures 5°C or more below the long term normal.

As a result of below normal May precipitation and cooler temperatures, drought changes were minimal this month. The region with the greatest change was British Columbia which recorded exceptional dry conditions and warmer than normal temperatures through the interior and southern coast. Precipitation deficits and low snowpack resulted in low stream flow and poor soil moisture throughout many regions of the province. Other regions that experienced dry conditions did not see the same degree of drought impacts; for example, despite monthly precipitation deficits southern Manitoba, continued to see good streamflow, water levels and soil moisture, partially due to the cooler conditions through May.

At the end of the month, 25% of the country was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or drought, including 21% of the country's agricultural landscape.

Pacific Region (BC)

In May, dry conditions continued over much of British Columbia, with the majority of precipitation occurring during the second half of the month. The Peace River, Nechako, and Cariboo region all received well below normal precipitation with large areas receiving less than 40% of average. The North Coast as well as localized portions of the Kootenay and Thompson-Okanagan, received near to slightly above normal precipitation. The Vancouver Island and lower mainland region received 40 to 60% of normal monthly precipitation. Temperatures across the province were highly variable from week to week with extended heat waves followed by near freezing temperatures which placed stress on agricultural growth throughout the province. Temperature fluctuations also caused a significant melting of the already limited snowpack in the coastal region.

Relatively warm and dry spring conditions resulted in early snowmelt and onset of drought conditions across much of the south, most notably in areas with already low snowpack levels (for example, Okanagan, Nicola, Kettle, and East Vancouver Island basins). According to the River Forecast Centre, the region's snowpack had dropped to just 16% of normal by mid-month, down sharply from 31% at the start of the month. Province-wide, the average snowpack sat at 71% of normal as of May 15. Streamflow's are declining across much of the southern interior and coastal regions with some systems already at record low for this time of year. Water restrictions have been imposed on several communities this spring including the Okanagan where non-essential use has been banned. Farmers in this region are required to reduce water use by 70%. Normal to above normal precipitation throughout the Kootenay region has resulted in several high streamflow warnings. In the northern portion of the province, normal streamflow persists especially in more high-elevation areas where snowpack levels remain high, resulting in little drought concern despite poor precipitation in May.

At the end of the month, 40% of the Pacific Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or drought, including 71% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Prairie Region (AB, SK, MB)

Much of the Prairie Region received below to well below normal precipitation in May. The Peace Region in northwestern Alberta, south-central Saskatchewan and Southern Manitoba recorded less than 25% of normal monthly precipitation. On the last day of the month, a large system established in Alberta, producing 40 to 80 mm of precipitation on May 31 alone. In east-central Alberta up to 300% of normal monthly precipitation fell in the one day. Significant rainfall was also recorded in western regions of Saskatchewan as a result of this storm, however at lower levels than in eastern Alberta.

Overall, May temperatures were below normal for the majority of the region with the northern half of the province seeing temperature anomalies of greater than 5°C. During the first week of May, warmer temperatures accelerated rapid melting of the unusually heavy winter snowpack, which caused severe, localized flooding across Saskatchewan. This short warm period was followed by an extended period of cold weather. A mid-month cold spell was accompanied by a powerful storm that brought snow and exceptionally strong winds. In late May, the Prairies shifted from unseasonably cold to extremely hot, with the highest temperatures between 34 to 37°C and significantly drier weather. The heatwave in the fourth week of May broke temperature records across the region. In addition to the record temperatures, significant wind resulted in severe dust storms which caused substantial soil erosion damaging fields, filling ditches, and blocking culverts in southern portions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba along the US border.

Drought conditions did not change significantly throughout the Prairie Region this month. Cooler temperatures throughout the region reduced evaporation and slowed vegetative grow, reducing both soil moisture loss and impacts of short-term precipitation deficits. Streams and surface water supplies are generally at or above seasonal levels, with localized flooding reported in southern Alberta and east-central Saskatchewan. Although many of the monthly precipitation indicators are showing drier than normal conditions, longer term indicators are all showing adequate moisture levels through the majority of the region. Wildfire season was slow to start in May, with few fires reported across the three provinces. However, at the very end of the month, the much warmer than normal temperatures and lingering dry conditions drastically increased the risk of new wildfires starting and spreading.

Short term and long-term moisture deficits continue to result in Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) conditions through west central Alberta. In southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, Abnormally Dry (D0) to Severe Drought (D2) conditions remain relatively unchanged from last month. There was noteworthy improvement in the Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) conditions, especially in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. The most significant drought changes in the Prairie Region this month was the expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) conditions in the Peace Region in northwestern Alberta.

At the end of the month, 18% of the Prairie Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or drought, including 19% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Central Region (ON, QC)

Precipitation across Ontario and Quebec was generally below normal through May. The Niagara Peninsula and portions of central Quebec were noteworthy exceptions. Major storm systems crossed Ontario on May 12, 17, and 23 with some record daily precipitation amounts reported including 61.0 mm in Grimsby and 55.6 mm in Toronto. Portions of northwestern Ontario and northwestern Quebec received less than 40% of normal precipitation and larger regions were at 40 to 60% of normal. Despite this low rainfall in May, significant degradation of overall conditions has not been seen as longer term precipitation accumulations have provided adequate soil moisture, stream flow, and surface water supplies throughout most of the region. Two to six month indicators are still showing well above normal precipitation throughout much of the region. May was slightly cooler than normal with temperature anomalies generally ranging from 1 to 2°C below normal. Although the monthly mean temperature was below normal, highly variable day to day conditions persisted with extended heat waves moving through the region including a warm spell on May 18 resulting in record temperatures at several locations in Ontario. For much of northern Ontario, this is the third consecutive month of below-normal temperatures.

Despite the low rainfall in May, there are no new areas of concern. There are two small regions of Abnormally Dry (D0) in Ontario, one in the northwest and one south of James Bay. In Quebec, the large region of drought in the north expanded slightly with continued below normal precipitation. Outside the large northern drought area, the province also contains three small Abnormally Dry (D0) areas; south of James Bay, along the Quebec-Maine border and in the far north. The drought region in northern Quebec has been growing throughout the winter and early spring and currently represents a high fire risk.

At the end of the month, 14% of the central Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or drought, including 3% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Atlantic Region (NS, NB, PE, NL)

Precipitation was highly variable across the Atlantic region, with well above normal precipitation recorded in portions of all Atlantic provinces. Persistent precipitation was recorded through Eastern PEI, northern New Brunswick, northeastern Nova Scotia, and central regions of Newfoundland. These rain systems resulting in 120 to greater than 200% of normal monthly precipitation. Sydney, Nova Scotia had its fourth wettest and Charlottetown, PEI had its fifth wettest May on record. For both locations this was the wettest May since 2017. The three-month period, starting March 1, ended with all areas of the Maritimes near to slightly above normal precipitation for the period. Below normal monthly precipitation was recorded in southern Nova Scotia, southern New Brunswick, eastern and western Newfoundland and throughout much of Labrador. Temperatures were highly variable throughout the month with both winter and summer like conditions in May. Overall, most of the region received slightly above normal monthly temperatures, with the exception of Labrador which recorded temperature anomalies of 4 to 5°C below normal.

Drought conditions continue to improve from last years exceptional conditions. At the end of May, there were portions of all provinces with either Abnormally Dry (D0) or Moderate Drought (D1) conditions. A small region of west-central New Brunswick and a sizable portion of Labrador are the only regions in Moderate Drought (D1). While the drought in New Brunswick continues to improve, the Labrador region continues to experience expansion of drought.

At the end of the month, 56% of the Atlantic Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or drought, including 51% of the region's agricultural landscape.

Northern Region (YK, NWT)

The Yukon received lower than normal rainfall and higher than normal temperatures which has caused some concern for future drought. Despite low precipitation, previous months of surplus moisture have resulted in no new drought regions. The Southern portion of the Yukon along the British Columbia border and extending into the Northwest Territories received less than 40% of average precipitation. Despite drier conditions in the last two months the three and six month precipitation indicators show significantly better conditions. The Northwest Territories received well below normal precipitation in the southwest and southeast, however significant precipitation was recorded through the south central and northern regions.

Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate (D1) to Severe Drought (D2) conditions expanded in the west central Yukon, Western Northwest Territories and in southeastern Northwest Territories. South-central and northern portions of the Northwest Territories received significant moisture reducing drought and Abnormally Dry (D0) regions significantly.

At the end of the month, 29% of the Northern Region was classified as Abnormally Dry (D0) or drought.

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.