During the second half of February – rainfall and snowfall will increase the level of moisture reserves and will improve the conditions for overwintering of the autumn crops

The low minimum temperatures recorded during the past seven-day period, in places in Northwestern Bulgaria and in the high valley fields down to and below minus 13°C - minus 14°C (Vidin, Knezha, Dragoman, Kazanlak), have put to the test the cold hardiness of the underdeveloped autumn crops in conditions without snow cover. Values of this order, when persisting for a longer period, are critical for overwintering winter cereal crops at the 2-3 leaf stage.

In the northwestern regions, field inspections of the crops (agrometeorological stations: Bazovets, Knezha, Kyustendil, Kazanlak) are forthcoming for possible frost damage.

After the brief increase in temperatures in mid-February, during the next seven-day period the agrometeorological conditions will undergo a change. During most days of the period, they will be determined by temperatures below the climatic norms, which will maintain the autumn crops in dormancy. The forecast minimum values are above the critical thresholds for overwintering agricultural crops.

The expected rainfall and snowfall will increase the level of soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm soil layer. As a result of below-normal precipitation in January and the first half of February, soil moisture reserves in the 100 cm layer in most of the country are unsatisfactory for the season. An increased likelihood of snow cover formation and an improvement in the conditions for overwintering of the autumn crops is forecast for the second half of the period.

Source: NIMH