Much of the western Prairie was drier than normal through October, further increasing the need for moisture going into the winter.
As shown on the 30-day map below, most of Alberta and western Saskatchewan remained stuck in the same dry pattern that has dominated the fall season in particular. The 60-day map shows an even starker divide between the drier western Prairie and the eastern areas, where precipitation has been more plentiful.
The final Saskatchewan crop report for the 2025 growing season on Thursday pegged provincial cropland soil moisture at 4% surplus, 55% adequate, 33% short and 8% very short as of Oct. 20, a modest improvement over 49% adequate, 44% short and 7% very short last year.
However, soil moisture levels on the western side of the province remain troublesome, with the southwest and west-central regions reporting soil moisture at 76% and 74% short to very short, respectively. The northwest region was 61% short to very short.
“Current topsoil moisture levels vary in the province but in general, the eastern half has sufficient soil moisture levels, and the western half has drier soil conditions,” the Saskatchewan report said.
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