Cold, dry weather prevailed over much of the region.Colder than-normal weather (2-8°C below normal) kept winter crops dormant from central Ukraine into central Russia and ushered winter wheat into dormancy along the Black Sea Coast.
Sunny skies prevailed, encouraging the final stages of corn harvesting in Ukraine.
Overall, winter crops entered dormancy in favorable condition, although snow cover remained shallow (less than 10 cm) and confined to northern winter wheat areas.