The ongoing drought has been a little gentler in southwest Sask. so far this spring, but not by much. 

Over the last month, Swift Current and the surrounding prairies have seen a slight bump in precipitation and moisture, compared to the last few years. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada has been keeping close track, monitoring conditions in what has up until now been an extremely drought-affected part of the province. Warning and Preparedeness Meteorologist, Natalie Hasel, isn't ready to call off the drought quite yet though. 

"According to the 1981-2010 Canadian Climate Normals, in March, you folks usually see about 18 millimetres of precipitation," said Hasel. "You're just over half of that."

This March saw 10.9 millimetres fall at the Swift Current observation station. April has so far received 1.7 millimetres, as of April 10. 

"I don't know if this is capturing all of the precipitation you have had recently," allowed Hasel. "I think this is still a pretty low number."

April would typically, in a non-drought year, see 19.9 millimetres of rain around Swift Current. 

Hasel cautioned that at Environment and Climate Change Canada, their three-month forecast doesn't account for precipitation predictions. The idea that they can accurately forecast rain that is still months away is a false one, in that they can only observe what is actively forming at any given time, and monitor how a system travels from its point of origin. 

Any rain that does come will be welcome, as the environment continues to try to climb back to normal precipitation during the drought.