Northern Alberta is entering winter under some of the driest conditions ever recorded, according to a new report from The Weather Network.
The province as a whole is experiencing its driest fall in 140 years, and the last two months have been especially concerning as precipitation levels continue to drop well below seasonal norms.
Here in the northern part of the province, conditions have become increasingly severe. Drought monitor data shows that much of northwestern Alberta is now facing severe to exceptional drought levels.
The extreme dryness stretches across central Alberta as well. Edmonton and surrounding regions have seen very little moisture this fall, with only 24.1 millimetres recorded, making it the second-driest fall on record for the city. Records at the Edmonton International Airport date back to 1961, underscoring just how unusual these conditions are. Snowfall has also been far below normal; Edmonton has received just 6.3 centimetres of snow in November, compared to the typical 19 centimetres expected by this point in the season.
Southern Alberta is dealing with its own historic deficits. Calgary recorded only 9.6 millimetres of precipitation between September and November, the city’s driest fall since 1885. It is highly unusual for Calgary to see moisture totals drop this low, especially considering the city has not had a fall with less than 30 millimetres of precipitation at any point in the 21st century. Snowfall totals are similarly low, with just 3.2 centimetres so far in November compared with the usual 20.
As winter sets in, the ongoing lack of moisture is heightening concerns about soil moisture levels for farmers heading into spring, and the potential for an elevated wildfire risk next season.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
