More than 70% of Canada is 'abnormally dry.' Here's why

Canada is abnormally dry, according to the latest government assessment. Here's what this could mean in 2024.

Rising temperatures and intense drought conditions impacted Canadians in 2023, from water rationing to the country's worst wildfire season on record.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's latest assessment of drought conditions across the country continues to paint a dire picture: Canada is "abnormally dry."

According to the map created December 8, more than 72 per cent of the country was experiencing moderate to exceptional drought conditions as of Nov. 30. This includes 81 per cent of the country's agricultural landscape used to feed millions of people and animals.

"2023 was a year like we've never seen before in Canada," John Pomeroy, the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, told CTV's Your Morning on Tuesday.

Higher intensity droughts, according to the map by Agri-Food Canada, are concentrated out west in places like British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Communities east of Calgary, south of Fort St. John, B.C., and south of Yellowknife faced "extreme" or "exceptional" drought conditions.

Large portions of B.C., N.W.T. and the Prairies, as well as, northern Ontario and Quebec faced "severe" or "moderate" drought conditions.