The Great Sand Hills and adjacent dune occurrences lie in the dry subhumid plains of southwestern Saskatchewan. Net migration was eastward, but dunes may be seasonally deflected both north and south. Development and maintenance of blowouts within stabilized dunes are the most regionally pervasive processes. Aspect plays a critical role in blowout development, and may be positively reinforced by airflow dynamics. The seasonal and annual variability in eolian processes is controlled by moisture availability and wind intensity.
Dunes are transport limited only during summer.
Activity during the remainder of the year is supply limited, primarily by moisture, interstitial ice, and vegetation. Greatest seasonal activity commonly occurs in the fall, when moisture is at a minimum, seasonal vegetation is dormant, and the ground surface has not yet frozen.