Seasonably cold weather continued to ease winter crops into dormancy
except in southern-most growing areas.
Temperatures averaged 1 to 2°C below normal over much of
Ukraine and up to 5°C below normal in Russia; weekly average temperatures in
Russia’s wheat belt remained below 5°C, indicating winter grains and oilseeds were
now dormant.
However, southern-most wheat areas, in particular the North
Caucasus and southern portions of the Southern District, continued to add vegetative growth as milder
weather kept night-time readings above freezing.
In Ukraine, winter crops were approaching or easing into dormancy
except along the Black Sea Coast, where milder conditions enabled additional
wheat establishment.
Despite the seasonably chilly weather, the region was mostly
devoid of snow cover, leaving winter wheat and barley exposed to potential
incursions of bitter cold.