Warmer-than-normal weather continued throughout much of the region,
alleviating the threat of freeze injury to dormant crops but also keeping
southern portions of the region devoid of a seasonal snow cover.
Weekly temperatures were over 5°C above normal across the
Ukraine and into southern Russia, with weekly temperatures in the remainder of
the region between 1 and 4°C above normal.
In addition to keeping a large portion of the region snow
free, the warmer-than-normal weather caused dormant crops to lose some cold hardiness,
leaving crops at risk for winterkill or freeze damage.
Meanwhile, 10 to 20 mm of rain boosted moisture reserves in
southern crop areas, with snow occurring in more northerly locations.