During November, cold conditions further stressed poorly established
winter grains in the north, while winter wheat in key southern growing areas
entered dormancy under mostly favourable conditions.
Autumn drought continued from Belarus and northern Ukraine
into central Russia, with November precipitation totalling less than 50 percent
of normal (locally less than 10 percent).
The lack of moisture coupled with an early onset of bitter
cold (-20°C or lower) resulted in poorly established winter grains in more
northerly growing areas.
In addition, a lack of snow cover may have resulted in some
burn-back or winterkill during the coldest weather.
In contrast, despite a dry November, winter crops in southern
growing areas were properly established due to plentiful autumn rainfall.
Therefore, winter wheat from southern Ukraine into southern
portions of Russia entered dormancy under mostly favourable conditions and was
better able to withstand the late-month bitter cold, despite a relatively
shallow snowpack.