2023 Canadian drought
Since March 2023, parts of Canada have experienced severe drought. Weather conditions have been described as "unprecedented", and the rapid spread of the 2023 Canadian wildfires are attributed to the drought.[1][2] According to the Canadian Drought Outlook all Provinces and Territories are in a drought.[3] Although most of Alberta and Saskatchewan have been in moderate drought since 2020, recent drought conditions have been severe.[4]
Canadian Drought Monitor
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Canadian Drought Monitor categorizes droughts in terms of precipitations percentiles on a scale of D0 to D4. D0 refers to an Abnormally Dry event that occurs once in three years; D4 refers to an exceptional drought that occurs once in fifty years.[5] By June 2023, there were areas in Canada experiencing D0 to D3 events. Abnormally Dry lasting based on Drought categories are based on precipitation percentiles that generally relate to the statistical return period.[5]
Prairie Region
In May 2023, Some locations in the Prairie region—which includes Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba—reached temperatures that were 7 degrees above normal while average temperatures were reported at 3 to 5 degrees above normal temperatures.[6]
The first D3 Extreme Drought designation in 2023 in Canada was reported in Alberta.[7] By the end of June because of ongoing and extreme drought conditions, Paintearth, Stettler, Vulcan, and Foothills declared states of Municipal Agricultural Disaster.[7]
References
- Ramirez, Rachel (10 June 2023). "Canada's wildfire season is off to an 'unprecedented' start. Here's what it could mean for the US". CNN.
- Korte, Cara (2023-06-12). "How did the Canadian wildfires start? A look at what's causing the fires that covered the East Coast in smoke". CBS. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- "Canadian Drought Outlook". Department of Agriculture. June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- Rannard, Georgina (2023-06-08). "Is climate change fuelling Canada's wildfires?". BBC News. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- "Canadian Drought Monitor". Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2023-06-30.D0: Abnormally Dry 1 in 3 year event; D1: Moderate Drought 1 in 5 year event; D2: Severe Drought 1 in 10 year event; D3: Extreme Drought; 1 in 20 year event; D4: Exceptional Drought 1 in 50 year event.
- Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food (2022-12-01). "Current drought conditions" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- Goodwein, Tiffany; Melgar, Alejandro (June 29, 2023). "Facing extreme drought, Foothills declares agricultural disaster". City News. Calgary, Alberta. Retrieved June 30, 2023.