It was a spring that tested even the toughest prairie farmers, when dust outnumbered raindrops.
The first two weeks of May 2023 brought record‑dry conditions to much of Saskatchewan. South‑central communities like Moose Jaw, Regina, and Swift Current saw rainfall totals below 5 millimetres, the lowest in decades. Farmers reported fields so dry that seed couldn’t take, and rural fire bans spread across the province. The Ministry of Agriculture urged caution, noting topsoil moisture at “very short” levels in more than half the reporting areas.
By the end of the month, a few scattered showers offered minor relief. But for many, it meant an early reminder of how climate swings define prairie life… where every drop of rain still counts.
Learn more about 100 Years of CKRM at 620ckrm.com.
100 Years of Saskatchewan History
This article is part of a series that celebrates both the history of Saskatchewan and the 100th anniversary of one of Saskatchewan's most storied radio stations. For more key moments from the last 100 years, visit the CKRM timeline.









