Improvement of agrometeorological conditions at the beginning of March

The frosty weather at the end of February and the beginning of March, with critical temperatures in the range of minus 19-22°C (Sevlievo -25°C, Kneja -21°C, Kazanlak -19°C, Kyustendil -19°C, Chirpan -19°C, Stara Zagora -22°C), put to the test the winter hardiness of some of the overwintering agricultural crops. Frost damage is expected to the flower buds of early-flowering fruit trees (almond, peach), especially in those that have entered the stages of flower bud and flowering. In areas where temperatures below minus 17-18°C have been recorded, damage to table grape varieties is also not excluded.

During the following period the agrometeorological conditions will undergo a significant change. An increase in temperatures, precipitation and snowmelt is forecast, which will lead to waterlogging of the upper soil layers. In some of the field areas, after the snowmelt, conditions will be created for the formation of an ice crust in the winter cereal crops and for the risk of plant heaving.

During the period, the forecast temperatures will maintain the autumn-sown crops in dormancy and will restrain the development of fruit trees. Exceptions are possible at the end of the period, mainly in the southern regions, where higher temperatures are forecast and average daily values close to the biological minimum required for the resumption of vegetative processes in winter cereal crops.