2017 was a dry year in southern Saskatchewan and one of the driest in Swift Current's history

John Paul Cragg is a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.

He says that 2017 was the second driest year in Swift Current's history.

"Swift Current saw 197.8 mm of precipitation this year, the driest year on record was 2001, that saw 185.4 mm of precipitation, and these are records that go back 130 years, so long-standing records and this was the second driest year."

2017 started out with lots of moisture and early spring but then the tap shut off.

The impact of the dry conditions was evident with tinderbox conditions that resulted in wildfires and lower than average crop, hay and pasture yields for farmers.