Expert: Nova Scotia droughts rare, normal not expected until November

HALIFAX – A recent drought that continues to impact many parts of Nova Scotia has caught many off guard, as one climate expert said the unusually dry weather is expected to continue for the next month or so.

Trevor Hadwen, an agroclimate specialist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says droughts are extremely uncommon in Nova Scotia, unlike The Praries where prolonged periods of dry weather are commonplace.

Hadwen said the Halifax-area has only received two-thirds of its normal precipitation and while short term relief is on the way in the form of some scattered showers, it’s not expected to help the impacts of the drought, especially in regards to ground water.

“You’re certainly going to receive some showers in the next few days from what we’re seeing in the forecast, but long term seasonal predictions show that September and October are going to be below normal for precipitation,” according to Hadwen, who said at this point, the month of November could see a return to normal for the region.

Southwestern Nova Scotia has received the brunt of the drought’s effects, with conditions being called “severe” in areas like Barrington, as water levels continue to remain at historically low levels with over 1,000 wells dry.

Parks and local arenas have been opened for people to bathe and gather drinking water in southern parts of the province, and the provincial government’s Emergency Management Office has also sent bottled water to effected communities and are monitoring the situation closely.

Meanwhile, Halifax Water has asked those living in Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage to stop outside water usage, this includes washing vehicles at home and watering plants, lawns or gardens.

The water consumption restriction comes as Lake Major, which supplies water to those areas, has reached a critically low level.