Map: Marked Expansion in Ontario Abnormal Dryness

A flip to much drier weather in September has resulted in significant expansion of abnormally dry and drought conditions across parts of Ontario and Quebec. 

The latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor shows abnormal dryness or drought impacting 33% of agricultural lands in the central region, which includes both Ontario and Quebec. That is up markedly from just 10% at the end of August and 15% at the end of July. 

“Southern Ontario and Quebec experienced drier-than-normal conditions in September, a departure from the trend of wetter conditions over the past three months,” the monitor said. 

Parts of northwestern Ontario, southern Ontario and Quebec received less than 60% of normal precipitation during the month, while only a few pockets recorded more typical amounts. In fact, some areas of southern Ontario received less than 40% of normal precipitation last month, the monitor said. 

As can be seen on the map below, abnormal dryness in the southwest part of Ontario extends from about Sarnia in the west to Toronto in the east and north to the Bruce Peninsula. 

The good news is the dry weather has allowed good fall harvest progress. According to the Grain Farmers of Ontario, the provincial soybean harvest is 60 to 100% complete, depending on the region, with most soybeans coming off the field dry or close to dry (10 to 16% moisture). The corn harvest has begun in areas with shorter day hybrids and areas with low moisture, causing plant dry-down earlier.