Recent studies suggest that the droughts of the past decade may have been at least as bad as those of the 1930s, one reason driving a new, co-ordinated national research program into these punishing weather events
by HENRY HENGEVELD
The seasonal forecast for this summer, issued by Environment Canada at the end of May, projected a warm summer across the country. Only the Prairies were expected to have above normal precipitation to help offset the increased water stress this heat is likely to generate. To date, this prediction has not rung true. Still, in the long term, droughts have taken a toll.