Nova Scotia’s dry spell worsened in late August: drought monitor

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The latest look at drought conditions in this province is showing Nova Scotia’s dry spell only worsened toward the end of August.

The latest update, as of Aug. 31st from the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Drought Monitor shows dry conditions continued late into the summer.

The drought map shows extreme drought conditions through northern Digby county across Annapolis, Kings Hants and Cumberland counties, into Pictou and Antigonish and parts of Cape Breton.

In HRM, some areas are considered to be under severe drought while others are moderate.

Allister Aalders, 95.7 NewsRadio’s weather specialist, said despite some rain recently, there’s still not much in the forecast.

“And obviously with the lack of rainfall generally continuing for the start of September, we could see the situation worsen if the pattern doesn’t turn around and as we go towards the middle stages of the month,” he said. “There’s not really a big change expected in the pattern with high pressure dominating and a lack of rainfall set to continue.”

On Thursday, the province announced it was lifting woods ban restrictions in Pictou and Colchester counties amid improving conditions while several counties remain under the ban.