Russia. Winter crops were exposed to fair weather conditions

Warmer than usual weather dominated the European part of Russia on January 1-10. Daytime air temperatures were mostly within -8…-3°. It became colder from January 7. The lowest air temperature fell mainly to -20…-15°, locally to -23…-22° and lower.

Precipitation was observed in the form of snow almost everywhere. Its rates over the ten days totaled 14 to 20 mm that was at least 20-60% above normal. The snow cover height in winter grain fields was mostly 25-35 cm, i.e. enough for protecting crops against existing frost conditions. The lowest soil temperature at the depth of winter crops’ tillering node (3 cm) was mostly -9…-2°C. The soil freeze depth ranged mainly from 12 to 25 cm, locally to 40-50 cm and deeper. The agrometeorological conditions were fair for the survival of winter crops. Only some regions have preconditions for damaging winter crops by rotting-out.

In the Southern and North Caucasian federal districts, winter crops were covered with 1 to 7 cm of snow almost everywhere as of January 9-10; the soil was thawed there. The conditions for the survival of winter crops were quite fair.