Cold, snowy weather maintained favourable conditions for dormant
winter grains and oilseeds.
Across primary southern winter wheat areas of Russia and
Ukraine, temperatures averaged 5 to 9°C below normal, with night-time lows dropping
below -20°C in the coldest locales.
However, a moderate snow pack (5-15 cm) insulated dormant
winter wheat from freeze damage, and a fresh snowfall (2-20 mm liquid
equivalent) boosted moisture reserves and insulation from eastern Ukraine into south-western
Russia during the period.
Farther north, areas along the border between Russia’s
Volga, Southern, and Central Districts may have experienced some burn back or
freeze damage, as a shallow snow cover (2-5 cm) likely left some winter crops
exposed to temperatures as low as -23°C.