If your grass is turning brown, you're not alone, we need rain. Despite the 7.6mm that has fallen so far in June at Trudeau Airport, the region remains extremely dry for late spring. The month of May was the driest ever recorded in Montreal, with a paltry 12.1mm falling at the airport. That represents only 14 percent of the normal rainfall of 81.2mm. The 12.1mm easily crushed the previous record low of 15.2mm set in 1982. Water levels are way down on area lakes and streams.
Many municipalities have already put in place watering bans or restrictions for their residents. Some communities such as Vaudreuil-Dorion are strictly enforcing existing water bylaws concerning outdoor watering and filling pools. A permit is required from the city for newly sodded or seeded lawns. Water levels on the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers are very low for this time of the season. Mariners and recreational boaters have been advised to use extreme caution on the lakes, streams and the Seaway.