An Oki sign, meaning ”greetings” or ”welcome” in Blackfoot, overlooking the Lethbridge River Valley in Sept. 2025. (Image Credit: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge & Medicine Hat make list of Canada’s driest cities

Mar 11, 2026 | 10:32 AM

Albertans know that it can be a fairly dry province, but a new report shows that it is perhaps the driest in the entire country.

WorldAtlas.com has released its list of The 10 Driest Cities in Canada, half of which are in Alberta. They include:

• Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat
• Calgary
• Red Deer
• Edmonton

The group says continental distance from oceans and mountain ranges is a large part of why many of the driest communities are in the west and on the prairies.

“Coastal locations can be wet due to frequent marine systems, while interior plains and valleys can remain dry enough to shape vegetation patterns, water management needs, and seasonal risk profiles,” reads a write-up from WorldAtlas.com. “Understanding these geographic patterns can help you plan when and where you might like to travel in Canada, or even choose a new city to call home.”

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Citing data from Environment and Climate Change Canada, WorldAtlas.com says Lethbridge averages 14.7 inches (372.5 mm) of total precipitation every year.

It reports that Southern Alberta’s dryness reflects both distance from oceans and regional wind patterns.

“The Rocky Mountains influence precipitation patterns, but much Pacific moisture does not persist far into the southern Prairie region. Chinook winds are a notable feature of southern Alberta winters. These downslope winds bring rapid warming and lower humidity, which can reduce snow cover duration and increase evaporation. Summer precipitation often arrives in bursts rather than extended rainy periods, keeping annual totals relatively low over the long term,” it says of Lethbridge.

The rationale for Medicine Hat’s dryness is largely the same as Lethbridge, although it lies even farther inland and does not have frequent, persistent access to moisture-rich marine air masses.

The city averages just 13 inches (330.9 mm) of rain every year.

“Much of Medicine Hat’s precipitation falls during the warmer months, often tied to storms that can be intense but brief. Winters can be cold, but long periods pass without heavy precipitation. Over the long term, the annual total stays low by Canadian urban standards.”

You can see the full list at WorldAtlas.com