Above-normal temperatures kept the region
uncharacteristically devoid of snow cover and reduced winter crop cold
hardiness.
Widespread showers (generally 5-25 mm)
sustained or improved soil moisture reserves from Belarus and northern Ukraine
into central and southern Russia.
However, temperatures for the week averaged 7
to 11°C above normal, which kept most primary winter wheat areas lacking a
protective snow cover.
The widespread abnormal warmth reduced winter
crop cold hardiness and likely encouraged some additional vegetative growth in
the warmest locales of Ukraine and southern Russia, though winter wheat was
still dormant in the colder central and northern growing areas.
(picture Central Russia earlier today)