September driest on record since 1885

September 2025 was the driest on record for Calgary since record-keeping began in 1885, with just 0.4 mm of rainfall recorded in the entire month—an unprecedented low for nearly 140 years. Edmonton also saw its driest September since 1888, with only 0.1 mm of rain, while Medicine Hat had zero rainfall, tying with 1908 and 1920 for its driest September on record.theweathernetwork+3

Details on the September 2025 Drought

Calgary’s typical September rainfall is about 37.1 mm, but this year’s total fell far short, breaking the long-standing dry record from 1885. The dryness was attributed to a persistent ridge of high pressure, which kept rainy systems away and maintained exceptionally warm temperatures across the region.theweathernetwork+2

Regional Impact

Most of southern and central Alberta experienced similar dryness, with historic lows reported in other cities as well, making this a province-wide anomaly. The combination of heat and lack of precipitation established September 2025 as one of the most extreme on record for multiple Alberta locations.news.yahoo+3

Historical Context

• Calgary: Driest September since 1885, 0.4 mm total rainfall.x+1

• Edmonton: Driest since 1888, 0.1 mm total rainfall.theweathernetwork+1

• Medicine Hat: Zero rainfall, tying records from 1908 and 1920.news.yahoo+1

• Red Deer: Sixth driest September in more than a century, with only 5.8 mm measured.rdnewsnow

These record-breaking lows underscore an exceptional climatic anomaly for September 2025 across Alberta, with both temperature and precipitation establishing century-plus milestones.x+2

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