Widespread rain stabilized or boosted summer crop prospects
over much of the continent, although excessive heat and localized drought
adversely impacted southern Europe.
Following recent hot weather, cooler
conditions in Spain (1- 3°C below normal) as well as France, England, Germany,
and northern Poland (1-3°C above normal, compared to up to 8°C above normal
last week) eased or eliminated stress on vegetative to reproductive small
grains and summer crops.
Furthermore, widespread rain (10-70 mm, locally more)
maintained or improved soil moisture as crops such as corn, soybeans, and
sunflowers approached or entered the reproductive stages of development.
Despite the cooler weather, irrigation requirements remained high for flowering
cotton in southern Spain (Andalucía) due to an early end to the winter wet
season.
Farther east, excessive heat (35-41°C) and dryness in the lower Danube
River Valley increased stress on vegetative to reproductive corn and
sunflowers, though cooler, showery conditions had returned as of 3 July.