Minimum temperatures averaged -20 to -30°C across central portions of Ukraine and Russia, but had no detrimental impact on dormant winter wheat due to moderate to deep snow cover (10-60 cm).
In southwestern Russia, the coldest readings (as low as -19°C) occurred when there was still 3 to 6 cm of snow on the ground, protecting wheat from widespread freeze damage or winterkill.
However, warmer weather melted much of the snow in southern portions of Russia’s Southern District (Krasnodar Krai) by week’s end, leaving crops exposed to any incursions of late-season cold.