Parts of Alberta just saw some of the most snow they’ve ever seen in the month of December

As well as Edmonton saw a sharp spike in snowfall this December.Other parts of Alberta also recorded some of the highest December rainfall volumes in decades.

Experts say an unusually snowy start to winter could bring some relief to farmers facing drought in 2025.

Terry Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said that as of Dec. 28, Edmonton's December rainfall was 416 per cent above the 30-year average, making it the city's sixth-wettest December since records were recorded.

Lang also provided CBC News with water equivalent precipitation data for a number of other municipalities as of December 28: Banff was 308 percent above the 30-year average, Fort McMurray was 318 percent (sixth wettest December), Grand Prairie was 418 percent (fourth wettest) and Fort Vermilion was 245 percent (third wettest December).

“The fact that many of these stations are among the top 10 wettest years shows how unusual this is,” Lang said. “We don’t see snow like this often.”

She explained that the pattern is driven by snowmaking systems moving repeatedly along the same path, allowing snow to accumulate over time. That, she said, could be welcome news for farmers across the province.

“After years of heartbreaking drought for some ranchers and farmers, this snow is certainly different news,” Lang said.

In Red Deer and Fort Chipewyan, December rainfall was 106 percent above average.

However, Southern Alberta was a bit drier. Lang said this year Calgary received 81 per cent of its December average rainfall and Lloydminster received 86 per cent.

While all precipitation is beneficial, Lang cautioned that its benefits largely depend on how the snow melts in the spring. Melting too quickly or too warmly—and too quickly—can cause runoff and flooding, especially if the ground remains frozen.

Dr. Linda Gorim, chair of the Western Grains in Cropping Systems Research Foundation at the University of Alberta, echoed these concerns. She emphasized that moisture is only beneficial if it is properly absorbed into the soil profile.

“Snow is a significant contributor to the moisture we have in Western Canada as long as we can grow crops,” she said.

“Our farmers need this.”

But Gorim said there could be downsides, especially if soils become oversaturated.

“Growers may not be able to get into the field, and this may actually delay planting,” she said.

Raymond Chittick, a Mayerthorpe farm owner who raises cattle and grows oats, peas, hay and a variety of cover crop mixes, said snowfall could also help replenish the region's declining groundwater levels.

“Things like dugouts, which were a problem for some of my neighbors… [who] rely on the water in the dugout to water their animals,” he said. “This will help the dugouts get the most out of anything.”

Chittick said while the snow should add some moisture in the spring, rain in June will have a greater impact on farmers.

Lang said Albertans should be prepared for more snow in the coming days as the current pattern shows no signs of changing.

“Until then, keep your snow shovels handy,” she said.