Banff Recorded Its Second-Driest July in 134 Years

With fall now underway, new weather statistics reveal Banff recorded its second-driest July in 134 years, yet an unusually wet June helped push the summer's overall precipitation above average.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, just 5.9 millimetres of precipitation fell in Banff during July, compared with the historical average of 46.9 mm.

That represents just 13 percent of the precipitation Banff typically receives in July.

Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor told Bow Valley Insider that Banff received 190.8 mm of precipitation between June and August, compared with the historical average of 167.1 mm.

That's 14 percent more precipitation than normal, making summer 2026 the 40th wettest in 132 years of records.

"So while July was fairly dry, June was fairly wet, and then when we look at what happened in August, it was fairly normal in terms of convection," Proctor said.

From Flooding to Near-Record Dryness

Along with the lack of precipitation, Banff experienced unusually warm temperatures throughout July.

Environment Canada recorded an average temperature of 16.3 C for the month, compared with the historical average of 14.7 C.

That made it Banff's 12th warmest July in 133 years of records.

The unusually warm, dry conditions marked a sharp contrast to late May, when rising rivers and heavy rainfall prompted flood preparations across the Bow Valley.

As Bow Valley Insider previously reported, municipal crews deployed portable flood barriers and sandbags, while rising water forced several pathway and trail closures across the region.

June then brought more precipitation than normal, while August experienced relatively typical rainfall patterns, according to Proctor.

Summer temperatures were also above normal.

Between June and August, Banff recorded a mean temperature of 14.2 C, compared with the historical average of 13.3 C.

That made it the 16th warmest summer in 132 years of records.

"So really a normal normal summer from precipitation point of view, but definitely warmer than normal," Proctor said.

What Did the Dry Weather Mean for Wildfire Danger?

Although Banff finished the summer with above-average precipitation, the prolonged dry conditions in July coincided with elevated wildfire danger across the Bow Valley.

On July 30, Parks Canada introduced a fire ban across Banff National Park because of elevated fire danger.

The ban prohibited open fires throughout the national park, including frontcountry and backcountry campgrounds and day-use areas, with exceptions for certain propane and gas-fuelled equipment.

It remained in place until Aug. 31.

The Calgary Forest Area also experienced periods of high and extreme wildfire danger throughout the summer.

Despite those conditions, no major wildfire took hold in the Bow Valley.

As Bow Valley Insider previously reported, local fire officials credited earlier precipitation, fire restrictions, public cooperation and ongoing wildfire mitigation work for helping reduce the risk of a major wildfire.

Smaller wildfires did occur, including one on Whitehorn Mountain in the Pipestone area near Lake Louise on Aug. 26.

The fire was estimated at approximately 0.1 hectares and was brought under control by Aug. 27, with no threat to public safety or infrastructure.

Why Above-Average Precipitation Doesn't Tell the Whole Story

While Banff received more precipitation than normal across the summer, Proctor explained that warmer temperatures can affect how much moisture remains available in the environment.

Higher temperatures increase evaporation, meaning moisture can be lost more quickly during warm periods.

"One of the implications of that is there's sort of less water available, more water can evaporate off the warmer we are," he said.

"So it could be less water available as we move into the sort of fall season."

According to Parks Canada, rainfall does not necessarily eliminate wildfire danger.

Deep soil layers, trees and logs can remain dry even after rain, while warm temperatures and wind can quickly remove moisture and cause fire danger to increase again.

That helps explain why the Bow Valley could experience periods of elevated wildfire danger despite recording above-average precipitation across the summer.

The contrast between Banff's wet early summer and exceptionally dry July highlights how quickly weather conditions can change across the Bow Valley.

While the season ultimately brought more precipitation than average, July's unusually warm, dry conditions show why a wetter-than-normal summer doesn't necessarily mean a lower risk of wildfire.