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Just as Edmonton saw a sharp spike in snowfall this December, other parts of Alberta also recorded some of their highest December precipitation volumes in decades.
Experts say the unusually snowy start to winter could offer some relief to farmers who grappled with drought conditions in 2025.
Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said that as of Dec. 28, the amount of precipitation in Edmonton in December was 416 per cent above its 30-year average, making it the city’s sixth wettest December since such data has been recorded.
Lang also provided CBC News with water equivalent precipitation measurements for a number of other municipalities as of Dec. 28: Banff was at 308 per cent above its 30-year average, Fort McMurray at 318 per cent (sixth wettest December), Grande Prairie at 418 per cent (fourth wettest) and Fort Vermilion at 245 per cent (third wettest).
“The fact that a lot of these stations are in their top 10 wettest years tells you how unusual it is,” Lang said. “We don’t see snows like this very often.”
She explained the pattern is being driven by snow-producing systems repeatedly following the same track, allowing snow to pile up over time. That, she said, could be welcome news for farmers across the province.
“After years of sort of heartbreaking drought for some ranchers and farmers, it’s certainly different news that we’re seeing with this snow,” Lang said.
Red Deer and Fort Chipewyan recorded 106 per cent above-average precipitation in December.
Southern Alberta, however, has been slightly drier. Lang said Calgary has received 81 per cent of its average December precipitation this year, while Lloydminster is at 86 per cent.
While any precipitation is helpful, Lang cautioned that its benefit depends heavily on how the snow melts in the spring. A melt that is rapid or too warm — and too soon — could cause runoff and flooding, particularly if the ground remains frozen.
Dr. Linda Gorim, chair of the Western Grains Research Foundation in Cropping Systems at the University of Alberta, echoed that concern. She stressed that moisture is only useful if it can soak into the soil profile properly.
“Snow is a significant contributor to the moisture that we have in Western Canada while we are able to grow crops,” she said.
“Our farmers, they need it.”
But Gorim said there could be downsides too, particularly if soils become oversaturated.
“Producers might not be able to get into the field, and that might actually end up delaying seeding,” she said.
Raymond Chittick, a farm owner in the Mayerthorpe area who raises cattle and grows oats, peas, hay and various cover crop blends, said the snowfall could also help replenish the region’s declining water table.
“Things like dugouts, which have been a problem for some of my neighbours … [who] rely on the water that’s in a dugout to water their animals,” he said. “It’s going to help the dugouts the most out of anything.”
Chittick said while the snow should add a little bit of moisture in the spring, rain in June would have more impact for farmers.
Lang said Albertans should be prepared for more snow in the days ahead, as the current pattern shows little sign of changing.
“Until then, keep the snow shovels handy,” she said.
