From wildfires to dried-up wells, struggling crops, and parched lawns, the Maritimes experienced a noticeable lack of rainfall this summer. Many are wondering if this was a record dry season, but the answer varies depending on the specific location.
Summer rainfall patterns are challenging to summarize due to the localized nature of thunderstorms. A downpour in one area may contrast starkly with a mere sprinkle just a short distance away. The timeframe considered for summer rainfall spans from June 1 to August 31, encompassing the potential for a single rainfall event to significantly impact the records.
Looking back at the summer of 2025, it was undeniably drier than usual across most of the region. However, one area particularly stood out for its extreme dryness. Northwestern Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick experienced one of the driest summers on record, with total rainfall measuring nearly half or even less than half of the average amount.
Specifically, regions along the Bay of Fundy, the Annapolis Valley, Cobequid Bay, Hants County, Cumberland County, Kejimkujik National Park, and northern Yarmouth County received less than 125 millimeters of summer rainfall based on official and volunteer recordings. The driest conditions were observed in Digby County, northern Annapolis County, coastal Charlotte County, and Grand Manan, where rainfall was recorded at less than 100 millimeters.
Notably, areas such as Saint John, Fundy Park, Point Lepreau, Grand Manan, and Kejimkujik National Park experienced their driest summer on record. Other locations like Greenwood, Nappan, Debert, Yarmouth, and Halifax airport also ranked among the driest summers in history along with the years 2016, 2005, 2001, 1997, and 1960.
The Acadian Peninsula region also faced extremely dry conditions, receiving less than 100 millimeters of rainfall throughout the summer. The overall dry trend persists in the Maritimes as we head into September. To alleviate the drought conditions, a significant shift in weather patterns with multiple low-pressure systems bringing prolonged rainfall is needed to offset the deficits from this summer.