Unsettled, unseasonably warm weather prevailed over the
region, accelerating southern wheat development and keeping most crop areas
uncharacteristically devoid of snow cover.
Precipitation for the week totaled 10 to 30 mm from Belarus
and northern Ukraine into central Russia, boosting moisture reserves for
dormant winter crops.
Precipitation was lighter in southern portions of Ukraine
and Russia, where 2 to 13 mm was reported; however, soil moisture supplies
remained abundant for winter wheat following a wet winter.
Temperatures averaged up to 10°C above normal, with daytime
highs above freezing (3-8°C) in the north and the lower 20s along the Black Sea
Coast.
Consequently, snow was confined to the Volga and northern
Central Districts in Russia, in sharp contrast to the end-of February
climatology of a region-wide snowpack.
Furthermore, winter crops in Krasnodar Krai (located in
southern-most portions of the Southern District) continued to develop well
ahead of normal.
While the recent spring like warmth has not been detrimental
to winter wheat, the early development and lack of protective snow cover have
left crops more vulnerable than usual to potential incursions of late-winter or
early-spring bitter cold.