In Moldova as well as southern and eastern Ukraine, moderate to heavy showers (10-35 mm) sustained excellent soil moisture supplies for heading to flowering winter wheat and emerging sunflowers.
However, drier conditions (less than 4 mm) returned to north-central Ukraine, promoting fieldwork but renewing concerns over spring drought; 90-day precipitation has totaled 50 to 70 percent of normal (locally less) in this key corn producing region.
In southwestern Russia, soaking rainfall (25-80 mm) maintained abundant moisture supplies for heading to flowering winter wheat as well as emerging corn and sunflowers.
Farther north, somewhat lighter showers (10-30 mm) in west-central Russia were beneficial for vegetative winter wheat and emerging spring grains.