December – unseasonably high temperatures and localized precipitation

The warm weather for the season during most of November and the presence of very good soil moisture reserves created conditions for progress in the development of late-sown, after agro-technical deadlines, autumn crops.

At the beginning of December, the forecasted above-normal temperatures will prolong the vegetation processes of winter cereals in the country's field regions.

Widespread precipitation at the beginning of the period will increase the level of autumn moisture reserves in the 100-cm soil layer. Due to the above-normal rainfall in October and November, soil moisture reserves in the one-meter layer for winter cereals in most field regions have reached levels up to 90% of FC (field capacity).

At the end of the ten-day period, agrometeorological conditions will continue to be determined by high temperatures for the season. In the eastern regions, maximum values of over 14-15°C are forecast, with a probability of provoking undesirable, premature swelling of buds in some early-flowering fruit species, which would lead to a reduction in their frost resistance.

Suitable conditions for completing autumn plant protection sprays on fruit trees against overwintering pathogens and pests will be created during the second half of the first ten-day period of the month.

A decrease in temperatures, attenuation, and cessation of vegetation for wheat and barley are expected at the end of the first ten-day period of December.

During the second and early third ten-day periods, the forecasted average daily temperatures will exceed climatic norms but will remain within limits that will keep winter cereals dormant.

At the beginning of winter, the third leaf stage will predominate for wheat. A small part of the crops in some eastern and far southern regions of the country, which were sown on time - in October, will be in the tillering phase, suitable for overwintering. Late-sown winter cereals, during the second half of November, will enter winter undeveloped, in the initial stage of leaf formation (1-2 leaves). The reason for the significant differences in the phenological state of the crops is the delayed sowing due to unfavorable conditions at the beginning of autumn – after the drought and the subsequent above-normal October rainfall.

Towards the end of December, an increase in temperatures is expected, but their average daily values will remain below the biological minimum required for the resumption of vegetation processes in autumn crops.

During the month, the forecasted minimum temperatures, down to minus 10°C, in conditions without snow cover, if sustained for a longer period, will be critical for crops in the initial stage of leaf formation.

The expected precipitation in December, close to the monthly norm, will increase moisture reserves in the 100 cm soil layer to levels close to FC (field capacity).