Conditions for the western and eastern sides of Saskatchewan were opposite of each another, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) September Drought Monitor.
Saskatchewan is part of the "Prairies Region" with Alberta and Manitoba and a link to the full report for all regions can be found here.
Parts of eastern and central Saskatchewan had near or above normal precipitation with pockets of the southeast getting more than 200 per cent of normal rainfall due to localized storms and temperatures were seasonal for the month. In southern Saskatchewan, drought conditions improved in areas east of Regina toward the Manitoba border after recent rainfall.
"These conditions resulted in significant drought improvement as soil moisture, surface water supplies, and stream flows return to levels that we would normally expect for this time of year," said Trevor Hadwen, an Agro-Climate Specialist with Ag Canada of the east and central regions of the province.
The west got less than 40 per cent of normal rainfall and temperatures were four to five degrees above normal for the month.
There was a slight expansion of severe drought areas in the central and northern regions as conditions remained drier than normal.
Three small areas had extreme drought, including west of North Battleford, around Buffalo Narrows and La Ronge.
In Manitoba, southern regions had improved conditions thanks to rain in the middle of September.
The extreme southeast area showed signs of recovery and areas west of Lake Winnipeg to Swan River and Dauphin had a reduction in moderate drought conditions, due to rain, which helped alleviate long-term precipitation deficits. Northern Manitoba, however, remained the same with moderate to severe drought.
In Alberta, much of the province is very dry with the Edmonton, Lloydminster, and Cold Lake areas having severe to extreme drought.
Those drought conditions expanded in the Peace Region and north-central Alberta with two exceptional drought areas located northwest of Grande Prairie and near Peace River.
The southern part of the province is abnormally dry to moderate. The conditions in Alberta are impacting feed availability and pasture conditions negatively. Farmers in Ponoka and surrounding areas reported parched soils, requiring lots of irrigation.
Hadwen says while precipitation is typically low for this time of year, September "represents the beginning of the moisture recharge period and moisture during this fall period prior to freeze up provides opportunity for perennial crops to begin to recover and prepare for the winter season."
"The general warmer and drier conditions through the Prairie region have helped advance harvest, however producers are hoping for some significant rainfall before freeze up to help replenish soil moisture and provide some relief from the ongoing drought conditions." said Hadwen.
