The report is an early indicator of areas that may be more vulnerable to the potential for above or below-normal runoff during the spring period.
Water Security Agency Spokesperson Patrick Boyle says it's not a surprise that the hot, dry conditions throughout the summer and fall led to most areas of the province heading into the winter with below to well-below normal soil moisture.
"The biggest area of concern for us is the southwest part of Saskatchewan right now. When you're looking at just soil moisture conditions and then surface water supplies. We're really looking at that region where a significant amount of snowfall would be a good thing. "
The Water Security Agency would like to see a significant snowpack in the southwest and some decent snow cover throughout the province this winter.
"Moisture in that area, essentially the landscape could handle quite a bit right now because there is capacity. So, we're looking at all those things, but certainly looking at if our average conditions hold here going forward, we would be well below normal for soil moisture next year."
According to the report, precipitation across most of the province this year was well below normal, which resulted in generally dry conditions at freeze-up.
Concern over dry conditions and the potential for extreme agricultural drought is focused in the southwest corner and the western portion of the province extending from the Leader area north to Lloydminster and west to Saskatoon.
"In the southwest and southeast corners of the province, heavier rainfall in the fall resulted in near normal soil moisture conditions going into freeze-up. Across the remainder of the province, topsoil moisture conditions are generally below to well below normal. Apart from Lake Diefenbaker, which has been impacted by dry conditions in the headwater areas in Alberta, most larger water supply reservoirs across southern and central Saskatchewan are at near-normal elevations for this time of year. At this time, there are no areas where WSA believes that there is a heightened risk of above-normal spring runoff in 2024. There is, however, concern of surface water supply issues in the southwest if winter snowfall is below average. In some cases, an above normal snowpack would be required to stave off extremely dry conditions."
This report is compiled with data from various sources including Environment and Climate Change Canada and the US National Weather Service.
Meteorologists are reporting a long-term El Niño pattern has developed which typically means a drier and warmer winter for Saskatchewan.
The Water Security Agency's 2023 Conditions at Freeze-up Report is available here.
The WSA's initial Spring Runoff Outlook for 2024 will be issued in early February.
To hear Glenda-Lee's discussion with WSA Spokesperson Patrick Boyle click on the link below.