World crop and weather highlights

Below are links to National Weather Service world climate maps courtesy of the NWS Climate Prediction Center. Clicking on a link will open a map in a new window.

Last updated: April 4, 2012

Western Canada
This past week, Manitoba received 10 to 30 mm of beneficial precipitation. Areas north of Saskatoon also received similar amounts of precipitation. Elsewhere, it was a generally dry week with less than 10 mm falling. Temperatures remained above normal, with the greatest difference in the eastern Prairies. Overnight temperatures were below freezing in all parts of the Prairies. Snowcover remains in the Peace River area and a few north facing slopes, but otherwise the Prairies are snow free. Farmers across the southerly areas are starting fieldwork. Activities have mostly involved fertilization, though a few fields of peas have been sown. Spring cereals will not be far behind provided the current weather continues.

United States
Moderate amounts of rain (30-60 mm) fell in portions of Texas and other southern states. Rain (40-70 mm) also fell in the PNW. Generally, rains were light over the previous week. In the Cornbelt, the precipitation maintained good soil moisture conditions prior to corn planting. In the Northern Plains, precipitation fell over most of North Dakota, but was absent in Montana. Temperatures remained much above normal east of the Rockies. There was no snowpack in the main agricultural regions of the U.S. Corn planting was reported at 3 per cent, slightly ahead of 2 per cent normally done. Spring wheat and barley were both 8 per cent planted, well ahead of normal. Although rains were patchy in the HRW growing regions, crop conditions generally improved week on week. Planting progress has been slow in the PNW reflecting the turn to cool and wet weather over the past few weeks. The ongoing warmer than normal weather has advanced crop development and field activities by two to three weeks.

Argentina
In general, only scattered, light precipitation fell over the week. In southern Buenos Aires where the crop is most immature, 10 to 25 mm fell. In the northerly growing areas, light rain (10-20 mm) boosted soil moisture conditions for vegetative soybean and corn crops. The rain was important as the crop is in the active growth stage. In central regions, the rain was mostly less than 10 mm, allowing corn, soybeans, and sunflower harvest to advance. Temperatures were cooler than normal last week, with very isolated brief frosts occurring in Buenos Aires. The cold weather has slowed maturation of corn and soybeans, but is not reported to have caused widespread damage. Nationally, 25 per cent of corn is now harvested and is progressing southward into Entre Rios with over 80 per cent complete. Soybeans are 4 to 6 per cent harvested.

Brazil
Light to moderate rain (5-40 mm) fell in the southern district of Brazil last week, with the greatest amounts falling in western Parana. Soil moisture levels remain low in the region, but the rain prevented further deterioration. Further west into Mato Grosso do Sul, similar amounts of precipitation (20 40 mm) fell. Even with the rain in Mato Grosso do Sul harvest continued. In Mato Grosso, soybean harvest is nearing completion and should finish within a couple of weeks. In the north, seasonal amounts of rain (25 100 mm) promoted crop growth for second crop corn and slowed harvest of early sown soybeans and corn. As the planting period for irrigated wheat in the central district is around the corner, the 20 to 65 mm of precipitation received has boosted soil moisture. Temperatures were 1 to 6 degrees Celsius below normal in the south and slightly above normal in the northern agricultural regions.

Australia
Some scattered showers fell across southern growing areas in both the east and west. The continued rain maintains suitable top-soil moisture levels. Given the abundant precipitation over the winter period, Australian farmers are about to the start the season with excellent soil moisture levels. In northern growing regions, rain was generally absent or very light. The limited rain in New South Wales allowed flood waters to recede and sorghum harvest to continue. The sorghum harvest is nearing completion in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, with only late planted crops remaining.

Western Europe
Mostly dry and warm weather conditions promoted allowed early completion of corn planting, while the dry conditions fuelled more concerns across northern Europe last week. Scattered precipitation (2-15 mm) was confined in central and eastern Germany. Dry conditions prevailed across the rest of Northern Europe. Temperatures were 2 to 7 degrees Celsius above normal. Daily high's ranged mostly between 14 to 22 degrees Celsius in Scandinavia and Germany, and 18 to 26 degrees Celsius in France and the UK. Overnight low's were above the freezing mark or just below freezing. Rising temperatures boosted growth for winter crops and promoted spring fieldwork activities. However, planted spring crops as well as winter crops will need additional moisture, as the soil remains significantly below normal everywhere across northern Europe.

In Mediterranean Europe, scattered rains (2-10 mm) were insufficient to help durum crops in Andalusia. Dry conditions continued everywhere else in southern Europe stressing crops and reducing available resources for irrigation. Dry conditions prevailed across Italy and Greece, while corn planting is mostly complete in Italy. Temperatures were 1 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal. Daily high's generally ranged between 18 to 24 degrees Celsius in Italy, Greece, and northern Spain, and reached 20 to 27 degrees Celsius in southern Spain. Durum crops are developing in good condition in Italy and Greece.

Eastern Europe
Substantial rains benefited crops in central and northeastern Europe, while warm weather conditions prevailed across the region last week. Precipitation was light to moderate (5-40 mm) and occurred only in the Baltic countries, Poland, and Belarus. Scattered light rains (2-15 mm) occurred in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, and Bulgaria. This moisture helped spring crops planted lately across Eastern Europe. Temperatures continued to rise, reaching deviations of 1 to 6 degrees Celsius above average across the region. Daily high's ranged between 8 to 16 degrees Celsius in the Baltic countries, and 15 to 24 degrees Celsius in the rest of the region. Minimum temperatures were mostly below freezing, but above -5 degrees Celsius in the main growing areas. Warm conditions have boosted development in the region. Conditions were conducive to fast spring planting activities, benefiting from adequate soil moisture and sunny skies.

Prospects are good for spring barley and corn plantings. However, the region needs more moisture to offset the cumulated shortage, and to support early spring development.

Russia
Cold and showery conditions delayed spring fieldwork across much of Western Russia last week. Temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average. Daily high's were above freezing across the region, but stayed below 8 degrees Celsius, except for the Southern District where daily high's reached 8 to 18 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures were still below -5 degrees Celsius across much of the region, with values ranging between -2 to -8 degrees Celsius in the Southern District, and 15 to 5 degrees Celsius in the northern Districts. Above freezing temperatures during the daytime had melted the snowpack in the southern District and parts of the Central Black Soil region. The region continues to benefit though from substantial moisture supplies. In the northern Districts, fresh snow provided 10 to 30 mm of water-equivalent moisture, while light rains (5-25 mm) fell in the Southern District.

Light, scattered precipitation (5-30 mm) fell in eastern Russia last week, with the greatest amounts reported in the Urals and eastern Siberia. Temperatures were 1 to 6 degrees Celsius above seasonal average in Siberia, and normal to slightly below normal in the Urals. Daily high's were above the freezing mark across Eastern Russia, reaching 4 to 16 degrees Celsius in Siberia. Overnight low's dipped below freezing, reaching -18 to -8 degrees Celsius. Warming temperatures have melted some of the snowpack in the region, while more precipitation brought fresh snow and rains to benefit upcoming spring crops.

Ukraine
Beneficial precipitation covered the Ukraine last week, while temperatures were supportive to the growth resumption in all growing areas. Warm weather and light showers promoted extensive fieldwork across the Ukraine last week. Precipitation was mostly light (8-25 mm) in most areas, and moderate (20-40 mm) in the east. Temperatures were seasonal in the eastern half of the Ukraine, and 1 to 4 degrees Celsius above seasonal in the western growing areas. Daily high's ranged between 3 to 10 degrees Celsius in the northeast, and 8 to 15 degrees Celsius in the west and south centre region. Minimum temperatures were in the range of -4 to +4 degrees Celsius. The snow has completely melted across the country, and provided beneficial moisture to winter crops resuming growth. Reseeding activities were active in central and southern growing areas. The moisture situation has improved substantially across the entire growing region, although the moisture deficit is still substantial in the southern growing areas.

Kazakhstan
Warming temperatures and substantial precipitation were beneficial to upcoming spring crops in north-central Kazakhstan last week. Precipitation was light, although scattered (2-25 mm) and occurred in the northern and western growing areas. In southern Kazakhstan, precipitation was scattered and benefited winter crop development. Daily average temperatures were 1 to 6 degrees Celsius above seasonal across the main growing areas. Daily high's ranged between 4 to 12 degrees Celsius in the north, and 14 to 22 degrees Celsius in the south. Overnight low's dipped below freezing, reaching -12 to -8 degrees Celsius in the north-central areas.

China
Mostly dry and warm conditions prevailed across the North China Plain last week. Substantial amounts of precipitation (10-65 mm) was confined in the southern growing areas, including southern and central corn growing areas. Scattered rains (2-20 mm) fell in the southern and western Wheat Belt. Light, scattered precipitation (2-20 mm) was beneficial to upcoming corn and spring wheat crops in the Northeast. Temperatures were 1 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal across much of China. Daily high's varied between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius in the north, and 22 to 30 degrees Celsius in southern China. Overnight low's were above the freezing mark in North China Plain, with minimums of 1 to 7 degrees Celsius.

India/Pakistan
Dry conditions prevailed across India last week. Temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal across the Wheat Belt. Daily high's ranged between 32 and 44 degrees Celsius in much of the country. Harvest activities are progressing across the southern and central growing areas under generally favourable conditions, with the southern growing areas near harvest completion.

Warming temperatures and light precipitation benefited filling wheat crops in Pakistan last week. A substantial amount of precipitation (10-45 mm) was confined in the western and northern growing areas. Temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal across much of the country, with daily high's between 24 and 38 degrees Celsius.

South Africa
Moderate to locally heavy precipitation prevented the completion of any remaining corn harvest, but replenished soil moisture reserves across South Africa last week. Precipitation covered the entire country and varied between 10 and 65 mm. Light to moderate precipitation in the Western Cape and Free State is beneficial to wheat planting. Temperatures were near normal across the Corn Belt. Daily high's were generally between 27 and 37 degrees Celsius. Corn crops have benefited from ample moisture supplies across much of the main growing areas, maintaining good prospects for the harvest.

North Africa
Substantial rains fell in North Africa last week, but the main growing areas in Morocco received only 2 to 15 mm. Rainfall amounts (10-65 mm) in western and central Algeria, maintained very good prospects across the country. Scattered rains fell in Tunisia, maintaining adequate moisture for cereal crops. Sunny skies and warming temperatures boosted cereal development in eastern Algeria and Tunisia, which benefited from earlier ample moisture supplies. Rising temperatures were detrimental to grains in southern and central Morocco, where the crops are in desperate need of moisture, and are more and more abandoned. Temperatures were normal to slightly above normal in Algeria and Tunisia, and 1 to 6 degrees Celsius above average across the growing areas in Morocco. Daily high's generally ranged between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, and reached 30 to 37 degrees Celsius in western Morocco.

Iran
Substantial precipitation and warm conditions benefited cereal crops across Iran last week. Precipitation was light to moderate (5-40 mm) and covered the primary growing areas. Temperatures were normal in the west, and 1 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal in the east. Daily high's generally ranged between 14 and 24 degrees Celsius. Overnight low's continued to be below freezing, reaching -5 to 1 degrees Celsius in the west. Prospects continue to be above average for wheat and barley across Iran, although cold temperatures have delayed development.

Syria
Mostly dry, sunny conditions were welcomed in Syria last week, boosting crop development, which benefited from adequate moisture supplies in previous weeks. Temperatures were seasonal across the country. Daily high's generally ranged between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius, and overnight low's varied between 3 and 7 degrees Celsius. Syria has benefited from ample moisture, enough to boost cereal prospects across all growing areas. Cold weather is slowing development.

Turkey
Cold and showery conditions persisted across Turkey last week, as temperatures stayed below normal in much of the country. Temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal in the central and eastern growing areas, and near normal in western and southern Mediterranean bands. Daily high's generally ranged between 14 and 23 degrees Celsius, with the highest values reported along the Mediterranean coastal bands. Minimum temperatures were in the range of -8 to -1 degrees Celsius in central Anatolia. Dry and sunny weather was conducive to fieldwork, but cold temperatures limited activities in eastern areas. The country has benefited from ample moisture supplies throughout the winter season, but the cold conditions have significantly delayed development in much of the country.

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