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Moisture Update - February 26, 2025

Perspective

Map 8: It is important to emphasize that this last 30-day period, on average, is the driest time of the year. The normal precipitation for the agricultural area that runs east of the highway 2 corridor from Bonnyville, south to the Saskatchewan border, averages 10 to 15 mm over this time frame. As you move north and east of this region, normal precipitation levels increase to 15 to 20 mm, and continue to increase to 20 to 25 mm across the Peace Region. Being the relative dry season, even above average moisture at this time of year is typically not enough to make a significant impact on “year-to-date” moisture deficits, nor would it usually be sufficient to create excess moisture conditions. For example, across the Central Region 15% to 17.5% of the average annual moisture falls during the November to March time period (Map 8). However, across the Peace Region, winter moisture tends to be very important for the annual water cycle with at least 25% of the annual moisture falling during this time frame.

Current precipitation trends across some parts of the province, such as the below normal snowpacks in the foothills and throughout much of the Peace Region, are trending on the dry side, and these areas have been experiencing drier conditions for several months now.
The areas of the province reporting higher than normal snowpacks, have declined compared to the last report. An increase in below normal snowpack conditions at this time is not abnormal in itself as February is the driest month of the year, as mentioned earlier. For agriculture, May, June, and July remain the most important months for receiving precipitation. The 2025 cropping season is only a few months away. We are beginning to move into what has traditionally been Alberta’s wetter period, meaning there is ample time to receive adequate moisture.

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