Nogger's Blog: weather

Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts

European Drought

20/03/12 -- Here's an interesting picture for you, picked up of Twitter as posted by Tregg Cronin. I have no way of getting in touch with Tregg to ask his permission to use this, but as the page it's posted on contains some embed code then I am assuming that he won't mind.

This is the percentage of normal rainfall for the last 45 days from Cropcast. Click on the image to enlarge it a bit. There's clearly an east/west divide developing.

The high pressure that has been blocking off weather systems moving in from the west, directing any rain up to the Jocks and the North Sea is seen weakening once we get into April though where the forecast is for more normal unsettled weather for the UK.

Weather Watching

07/01/12 -- There's a big week coming up. Will Argentina get rain? I've spent most of the day trying to find an animated forecast for the week ahead in South America and failed to come up with anything decent.

So I've created my own from a selection of weather map forecasts from COLA/IGES in the US, and for your personal convenience I've borrowed a map from my old chum Gail Martell at the stunningly excellent Martell Crop Projections showing exactly where it's particularly dry.

As if I haven't already spoilt you too much by doing all that for you on a Saturday afternoon, I've overlaid the latter with a note of where the main soybean and corn producing areas are so you don't actually need to do anything other than click the link below.

I really MUST get round to buying Nogger a beer some time

WeatherWatch

28/07/11 -- Here's the UK weather forecast for the week ahead from the extremely useful Weather Schools Channel on YouTube. Get the harvest in if you can before next Wednesday I think is the clear message here.

WeatherWatch

18/07/11 -- UK weather for the fortnight ahead from the very interesting Weather Schools Channel on YouTube. A wet week ahead for most of northern and central Europe, but there is then the possibility of four or five days of warm and settled weather.

World Crop Weather Highlights

30/06/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Midwest cool weather will rapidly end; highs near 90 F are predicted Friday through the weekend; Midwest corn-soybean fields are flooded after a deluge of rain the past 2 weeks; a stretch of heat and sunshine will encourage drying; Mid South crop potential is on the rise with increased rain; June has been very hot in the Mid South; crops are burning up in Texas-Oklahoma-Southern Kansas with historic drought and incredible heat

Abnormally cool conditions coming to South Brazil, Paraguay; Parana and Rio Grande do Sul expecting frost; mid 30s occurred overnight in northern Argentina, Uruguay with scattered frost; cool front is pushing north, setting off showers in Paraguay and Rio Grande do Sul; very heavy rain anticipated in Parana state with a stalled cool front

Heat wave under way in Western Europe; highs Tuesday 98-100F in Spain, mid 90s France, upper 80s F Germany; 3rd straight day of intense heat; source region for hot air was northern Africa; strong cooling is underway; below- normal temperatures expected balance of the week in Western Europe; not much rain, however; very wet forecast in Eastern Europe; rain needed Baltic countries, Belarus, with a hot forecast

Western Australia getting generous rain, from .30 to .65 inch yesterday, 1.5 to 2.5 inches the past week; rain badly needed for newly sown wheat after a very dry May; cool forecast ahead, ideal for wheat development; field moisture running low in southeastern Australia, Victoria, southern New South Wales; roughly half of normal rainfall the past 30 days; forecast not real hopeful for rain the next 7 days

China corn-soybean are becoming very dry in June; very low rainfall the past 3 weeks in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Jilin; crops with shallow roots may be suffering moisture stress ; new forecast for next week looks wetter; hot temperatures prevailed yesterday, highs in the 90s F; North China Plain is expecting heavy rain in Jiangsu, Anhwei, Henan; rain is badly needed after a dry spring in this key peanut, cotton, corn area; no major weather problems in central and South China; drenching June rains reversed a serious drought in Yangtze Valley

Monsoon has brought heavy rain to northern Pakistan, NW India, the Ganges Plain, northeast India rice area, Madhya Pradesh in central India; no complaints about ample June rain in mentioned areas; elsewhere, conditions are dry and hot; highs over 100 F occurred yesterday in central Pakistan, western India; the key peanut and cotton growing areas in central-southern India are dry; still waiting for the monsoon to begin in earnest; weather forecast next week once again calls for rain in the more northern areas and persistent dryness in the south

Ukraine heavy rain has boosted summer crops; recurring showers the past 2 weeks added up to 3-4 inches, locally more in central Ukraine; wonder if rain was too late for winter wheat and rapeseed; very severe drought occurred March-May, capped off by May heat wave; a little rain has reached Russia Black Earth, not enough to cure ailing crops; incredibly dry spring -early summer has damaged Black Earth winter wheat, yields expected to be low; best crops in Russia are in the Volga; small grains barley and wheat are getting ready to head out; GFS model forecasts a heat wave and hardly any rain the next week; would be detrimental for the yield; Kazakhstan June growing conditions have been ideal, very wet and cooler than normal; just the opposite of last year's severe drought and heat

World Crop Weather Highlights

21/06/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Rainy and cool weather continues this week in Canada prairies; planting of canola, wheat and barley is finished, too wet to proceed; reduced crop area predicted second year in a row; perhaps a shortfall in crop production will follow; US grain belt is stuck in wet pattern; recurring showers daily in Midwest corn-soybeans; cool temperatures and wet fields are slowing crop growth; some flooding is occurring; US crops in Deep South finally expecting heavy rain; moisture stress has grown severe with accompanying hot temperatures; heavy rain projected for Lower Mississippi Delta in soybeans, cotton and rice areas; all are in need of rain

Central Brazil Mato Grosso state is hot and dry once again; showers that occurred early in June are a distant memory; mid 90s F and hot sunny weather have returned; Sao Paulo state also is very dry; harvesting of coffee and sugarcane, stressing under way; suspect there is moisture stress also; May-June very dry also in Minas Gerais, Goias; Southern wheat state Rio Grande do Sul got heavy rain in recent days; flooding a risk with an additional 4-5 inches predicted

Argentina western grain belt in throes of drought; western Cordoba, La Pampa, western Buenos Aires all dry; soil moisture way better in Santa Fe, Entre Rios; feels like La Nina dry influence is in place; new crop wheat plantings up sharply but dryness and cold preventing growth; corn and soybean harvest is winding down; government raised corn slightly, lowered soybeans; not a major adjustment from previous estimates

Europe weather conditions rainy in June; opposite of May's severe drought; sharply cooler temperatures this week; night lows in the 50s F, highs 60s-low 70s F; unsettled weather will persist, some rain, not real heavy; very heavy rain projected in Ukraine, Belorussia, where spring drought was severe; all together opposite of May growing conditions; summer crops will benefit

Australia rainfall chances improving a little in southeastern wheat growing areas; rain is needed ; conditions grew progressively drier the past 4-6 weeks in Victoria, southern New South Wales; Western Australia drought is still a major worry, worst in northern wheat growing areas; new 7-day forecast more hopeful for rain Western Australia; warm temperatures are keeping evaporation elevated, drying fields

China heat wave underway in Northeast provinces; corn-soybean growth is accelerating with generous field moisture; cooler weather is on the way, showers are exiting; watching the weather in North China Plain; forecast is wetter; this is a key cotton, corn and peanut area; rainfall was virtually non-existent June-to-date; Yangtze River valley getting regular rains in June, even floods; March-May was exceptionally dry in this area

India monsoon zeroing in on Central India; very heavy rains yesterday up to 6 inches in Madhya Pradesh; rain deluge last week affected northeast India, a key rice area; new forecast extremely wet in the Gangetic Plain across northern India; no complaints about monsoon peformance in June; exception is South India where June has been dry

European Russia bracing for heavy rainfall; rain occurred Monday in Baltic countries, moving into Belorussia; Ukraine forecast is particularly wet; western Ukraine temperatures in the 70s Monday, eastern Ukraine 90s F with progressive cool front; wonder if rain is too late to help winter wheat and rapeseed; spring growing conditions were extremely dry March-May and also unseasonably hot; summer crops corn, soybeans and sunflower may reap the greatest rewards from heavy June rain if it occurs as predicted; Russia Black Earth grains under extreme stress yesterday with 90s F; rain has been sub-normal for 3 months; suspect winter wheat will make a poor crop; Volga grains in very good shape, no heat or moisture stress in the spring-early summer

World Crop Weather Highlights

16/06/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Wet weather pattern is under way in Canadian prairies, northern US Plains, Midwest corn belt; recurring showers expected this week; trough of low pressure entrenched, more rain expected next several days; afternoon temps Tuesday unseasonably cool Canada and Midwest; warmth and sunshine needed to spur growth

Brazil Mato Grosso state received rain in June, .5 to 1.5 inch in scattered showers; the first important rain in over 2 months; rain too late to save safrinha corn; Parana got much needed rain this month; freshly planted winter wheat is struggling, still needs more rain in Rio Grande do Sul; relief may be at hand as South Brazil forecast is wet

Argentina drought a worry in Buenos Aires province; scattered light rains yesterday were a help, much more needed; was super-dry the past 8 weeks; Cordoba and Santa Fe have better field moisture, winter wheat faring much better in central Argentina; more rain coming in 7-day outlook

Europe drought is easing with June showers; too late for most wheat, helpful for late-filling grain; UK wheat yield may be 15% reduced, reports indicate; France wheat losses were similarly severe; much cooler temperatures are developing across Europe; increased showers also expected next week; improved growing conditions for summer crop development

Australia soil moisture declining southeast growing areas, southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia; low rainfall received the past 4-6 weeks; mild days, cold nights with low humidity is reducing field moisture; some rain in forecast, variable amounts expected; Western Australia rainfall increasing, 65-80% of normal in the past month; much more needed to replenish subsoil moisture; forecast unfavourable turning warmer and drier

Northeast China corn-soybean belt wet, keeps receiving showers; May rainfall was very heavy Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Jilin; suspect planting was delayed; intense spring drought has unfolded in Eastern China, less than half of normal rainfall in March-May; winter rapeseed crop yield is predicted sharply lower; June has turned sharply wetter in dry areas of Yangtze Valley-East China; reservoirs reportedly had dried up ; now North China Plain has gone dry, a key area for summer cotton, peanuts, soybeans; virtually no rain has occurred in June and very hot temperatures

India monsoon season is under way; rainfall has been good in many areas of central India; Northwest India still hot and dry, typical for mid June; monsoon comes later to this area; forecast very wet in central India; monsoon may unleash 6-10 inch rains in Madhya Pradesh

Drought-stressed wheat and rapeseed benefited from heavy rainfall in east and north Ukraine; April-May weather was abnormally dry and hot; Russia Black Earth crops got variable showers yesterday, limited relief from drought; Rainfall is spreading east into the Volga; ample soil moisture exists there for spring grains; drought in West Siberia is concerning; spring weather March-May was very dry; big country, variable conditions for Russia new crop grain harvest

RainWatch

06/06/11 -- My Sussex correspondent reports 27mm of rain in the past twelve hours (to 6am this morning) and tells me that it's still raining now.

That almost matches the 31mm total that he's seen since February.

Up here in North Yorks we had a cool, grey and relatively dry weekend, picking up just 0.5mm around 6pm last night. We did see 49mm in May though, much of it in the last week of the month.

It looks like rain did eventually make it into central and western Germany in late afternoon and early evening last night too judging by the 6pm UK time radar image (click to enlarge). Meanwhile those Parisian walkways must be soaking by now, they've had 76mm in the 24 hours to 08.30 this morning.

If your down in the SE "danger zone" or even on the continent, email me what your rainfall situation is looking like this morning and I'll post the results up later.

Parisian Walkways

05/06/11 -- The old Parisian walkways may be a bit slippy underfoot after picking up 16mm of rain in the past 24 hours (to 9am Sunday), see the various radar images which are clickable to enlarge.

Some of these rains may make it across the channel and into the south (and if you're luck even the south east) later today, providing some heavy downpours in places, according to the BBC.

It looks like northern Germany largely missed out on much of this needed moisture however, although the Beeb are giving them the chance of picking up some heavy rainfalls Tuesday/Wednesday.

There's more rain on the cards for Paris early next week, with Accuweather forecasting an 88% chance on Monday and a 92% chance on Tuesday before the outlook turns a bit drier later in the week.

Berlin has an 88% chance of rain today, rising to 92% tomorrow, 70% Tuesday and 88% Wednesday, according to Accuweather. Thunderstorms are likely with temperatures today set to hit highs of 30C before things cool off a little later in the week, they forecast.

Rain moving up from the Med, pushing north and eastwards should even make it into Poland by Tuesday, according to the BBC.

At home it's turned much cooler as the wind turns north-easterly. Here in North Yorks we had a daytime high of 25.7C on Thursday, 25.4C Friday and just 15.4C on Saturday. No rain yet so far this month though.

World Crop Weather

26/05/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Canadian prairies very cool; spring crops germinating slowly; night temps fell to 30s-40s F this week; cold air heading into Northern Great Plains in United States; spring wheat states North Dakota and Montana wet and cool; the worst of both worlds; spring planting delays very serious northern United States; US Midwest wetness growing worse every day; conditions are most wet in western corn belt from repeated rains this week; heavy rainfall spreading into eastern Midwest today - Thursday; planting struggles persist corn and soybeans

Brazil weather very dry in May; Mato Grosso received no rainfall, gets 2-3 inches normally in May; safrinha (second-crop) corn deteriorating from heat, dryness; Parana state is bone dry in May; rain needed soon for wheat planting; forecast rains in South Brazil have not materialized; dry topsoil delaying winter wheat planting So Brazil

Argentina drought eased by scattered showers yesterday Buenos Aires province; more needed; 90-day moisture deficit 5.3 inches (135 mm) eastern Buenos Aires; top winter wheat district Tres Arroyos extremely dry, 6.7 inch rainfall deficit and 29% of normal the past 90 days; La Nina drought influence still present

Northern Europe much cooler this week; still suffering from drought; talk of severe yield reductions in UK wheat; crop conditions were too dry for too long; northern France drought has grown very severe; Paris rainfall less than 10% of normal the past 6 weeks; heat is another stressor; afternoon temperatures France frequently 8-10 F above normal; Germany and Poland showers last week eased drought stress a bit; more rain still needed; though topsoil moisture improved subsoil moisture still short in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

Australia weather conditions cool and unstable, eastern growing areas; showers continued Tuesday northern New South Wales; soil moisture improving for winter wheat planting NSW, Victoria, South Australia with good rain past 2 weeks; unusually cold weather has developed; night lows 30s F southeast Australia; subsoil moisture badly depleted in Western Australia top wheat state; mid May showers were helpful, much more rain needed to jump-start wheat planting; shower chances increasing in 7-day forecast

China Manchurian Plain conditions are warming; corn planting prospects brightening , projected temps rising to upper 70s- 80s F; Heilongjiang top soybean province still very wet; May rainfall way above normal keeping planting to a minimum; warmth very welcome, will heat up cold soils; farmer will plant between showers, forecast is stormy; biggest worry in China agriculture is drought in East; water supplies badly depleted, reservoirs running dry in rice, eastern rapeseed areas; China winter wheat harvest reportedly was slightly above 2010 production; wonder how this is possible with very low spring rainfall; drought grew severe in North China Plain top wheat provinces Henan and Shandong

India high heat continues; over 100 F most areas; Pakistan also extremely hot, 105-108 F; a few India showers occurred this week, southwest, northeast growing areas; monsoon officially starts June, lasting through September; crop production last year was good with mostly above-normal monsoon rainfall; farmers hoping for another productive crop season in 2011; La Nina favours high rainfall in India

Ukraine, Russia experiencing summer-like heat; highs over 80 F past several days; moisture stress is a growing worry; hit-or-miss showers helped a little, past couple of days; worst drought in central Ukraine with less than half of normal rainfall the past 9-10 weeks; winter crops rapeseed, wheat suffered with spring dryness; spring planting surging with springtime warmth and dryness; now rain is needed to germinate seeds; main crops are corn, soybeans, sunflower; drought worries increasing now in Russia Black Earth; same warmth, dryness as Ukraine; low rainfall the past 2-3 months; Russia spring grain planting surged ahead of normal pace with sunny warm weather; showers would be welcome to improve germination; welcome rain occurred yesterday in Russia Urals

Global Crop Weather Highlights

19/05/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Strong warming Canada prairies improves field drying, planting conditions; US grain belt weather very cool, slowing field drying and seed germination; wet forecast very detrimental in northern spring wheat; not all the intended wheat will get planted

Brazil continues extremely dry; no significant rainfall past 6 weeks in Mato Grosso and Parana; worries over damage late-developing corn (safrahina); forecast finally calling for some rain

Argentina wheat planting conditions unfavourable, too cool and dry Buenos Aires province; forecast still dry next 7 days; April-May dryness favoured summer crop harvesting; not a great finish for soybeans filling pods

Europe drought worries persist; way below normal rains the past 60s days; rapeseed and wheat prospects deteriorating; forecast a little more hopeful for showers the next week; heat would persist also, most pronounced in Eastern Europe

Western Australia got light rain yesterday; subsoil drought still severe; farmers fearful of back to back droughts; frost developed overnight southeastern Australia; cold temps are slowing wheat growth; warmer and wetter weather in the forecast; weather pattern looks like La Nina

China Manchurian Plain in a rainy weather pattern; bad for corn and soybean planting; temperatures normal Tuesday; rainy cool weather in the forecast; severe drought damaging rapeseed in Yangtze River Valley; reservoirs drying up, drinking water is short; rape area may finally get heavy rain upcoming week

India showers are developing in southwest, northeast; may be a sign the monsoon circulation is getting going; June is the first official month for the monsoon; western states are baking in heat, temps 110-117 F Tuesday

Russia May rainfall very heavy Black Sea winter wheat; makes up for dry April in Volgograd, Rostov districts; winter grain prospects in wheat and barley on the upswing; weather improving for spring grain planting, Volga and Black Earth; warmer and drier recently; seeding was delayed to start with, delayed snowmelt, wet conditions; watching Ukraine weather; winter wheat and rapeseed coming under increased moisture stress; spring has been very dry; suspect soil moisture for snowmelt is running out; reports indicate little if any winter kill

Global Crop Weather Highlights

10/05/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

United States/Canada: Extreme heat in hard red wheat, very damaging for grain filling; near 100 F Sunday Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas; Midwest expecting frequent showers this week, over 1 inch cumulatively; expect corn planting delays; Northern spring wheat areas wet with fresh showers; planting delays; Western Canada temperatures below normal once again with rain showers Sunday; planting delays

Brazil: Brazil weather very dry the past 3 weeks; favourable for finished up the harvest, negative for late developing safrahina corn; highs mid 90s F Mato Grosso; more of the same in the forecast

Argentina: Argentina frost occurred May 6 southern Buenos Aires province; cold dry pattern has dominated wheat area the past 2-3 weeks; rain needed for planting, germination; forecast is dry; corn and soybean harvest moving rapidly to the finish

Europe: United Kingdom received beneficial weekend showers; .25 - .50 inch, locally more; badly needed to relieve drought; virtually no rain fell in UK the past 4-5 weeks; still dry are wheat-rapeseed areas in France and Germany; unusually warmth persisted through weekend; highs 80s F in parts of France; forecast is hopeful for significant rain this week; with large soil moisture deficits, very heavy rain is needed

Australia: Australia field moisture favourable for winter wheat planting; Western Australia is the notable exception, in the northern wheat area; drought is a worry once again in WA; heavy rainfall recently affecting Queensland; hard freeze overnight in New South Wales; precipitation will pick up in Victoria-southern New South Wales Tuesday; would be very favourable for freshly -planted wheat and rapeseed

China: North China rainfall finally arrived; over 1 inch in Hebei, Shandong provinces yesterday; winter wheat was in dire straits from drought; southern wheat area scorched by damaging heat; weekend highs mid 90s F in Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu; anticipate a reduced winter wheat harvest this year; key corn-soybean zone in Northeast has turned cool; weekend highs 58-62F, lows 42-46 F; freshly planted seeds germinating slowly

India: Extreme heat continues in India; pre-monsoon period often is hot; this is extreme, highs 100-105 F; forecast continues very hot; monsoon begins officially in June; crop production last year was good with La Nina heavy rainfall most areas

Russia-Ukraine-Mideast: Russia weather warm for second week in a row; spring planting campaign will get a jump start; highs yesterday 70s F in Volga, Black Earth areas key for spring wheat and barley; winter wheat in Black Sea region in good shape, plenty of soil moisture for spring growth; winter wheat in Middle East also boosted by favourable April-May rains

World Crop Weather Highlights

27/04/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Stormy weather in United States; tornadoes, heavy rain Mid South; Beneficial rain in Kansas, only scattered coverage; much more needed to relieve drought; Upper Great Plains warming beneficial, highs over 60 F Monday, very welcome for drying out soggy fields; wet and cool weather set to return to Western Canada, northern US Plains; strong cooling also would target northern-eastern Midwest corn states; seeding already 10-12 days behind schedule

Brazil soybean harvest 92% complete; dry weather Mato Grosso detrimental for late-developing safrinha corn; flooding occurred in Rio Grande Sul, 10-12 inches of rain past 30 days; crops mostly harvested Southern Brazil; wheat planting due to begin May; seasonal cooling under way; lows near 50 F Rio Grande do Sul

Argentina harvesting moving forward; corn 49% in the bin, soybean harvest 52% done; wheat planting due to begin soon; dryness worrisome for wheat seeding southern Buenos Aires -La Pampa; heavy rain predicted however

Drought still a big problem in Northern Europe; wheat and rapeseed under moisture stress; welcome showers reached central France last week; beneficial where they occurred; United Kingdom becoming extremely dry, no rain for 2-3 weeks; Germany crops also unduly stressed by persistent dryness, unusually warm weather; scattered showers in the forecast will aid crop, much more rain needed than is predicted

Australia soil moisture good Queensland after recent heavy rain; wheat planting getting under way Victoria; summer conditions were very wet, replenishing subsoil moisture; Western Australia still too dry; dribs and drabs of rainfall, not enough to relieve drought; May rainfall must be heavy in top wheat state for seeding to begin in earnest; forecast continues rather dry and cool

April weather dry North China Plain; negative for wheat, especially with hot weather; highs over 90 F Henan and Anhui provinces; reduced wheat yields anticipated; Jilin temps went backward, sharp cooling last week; corn planting will not begin till spring rains begin in full force; conditions still very dry; southern China forecast is wet; April weather has been unseasonably dry southern, southeastern China rice areas; hot temperatures not helpful, worsens drought stress

Pre-monsoon heat building in India; highs over 100 F causing rapid drying of wheat; harvest accelerating; pre-monsoonal shower have dried up, last week affected southern, eastern India; forecast now is dry

Russia warmth welcome in Volga; soils still very wet, beginning to dry out; Black Sea wheat got a boost from heavy rain recently; stubborn dryness hanging on Volgograd, Rostov; Ukraine weather excellent for spring seeding; recent heavy rain increased winter wheat, rapeseed development optimism high for new crop grain potential; hopeful for exports to resume; Turkey wheat development, jointing to heading; freeze last week may have caused damage

Europe Dry

13/04/11 -- This map, from the excellent Martell Crop Projections shows how dry things have been for almost all of Europe over the past two and a half months, with the exception of Spain and Italy.

There's precious little in the forecast for the UK or France over the next few days, although eastern Germany and Poland should see some showers today/tomorrow. Click the map to enlarge.

EU Weather

25/03/11 -- Here's a map of the rainfall forecast for the EU for the next seven days from the excellent Martell Crop Projections.

Looks like the band of rain that's been centred over southern Europe this week is moving gradually north with decent rainfall totals across southern France and 0.25 to 0.75 in amounts for dry areas of northern France. Similar conditions in store for the UK too after the warm and dry spell that we've had this week. Click on the map to enlarge.

EU/Western Russia Weather

22/03/11 -- Here's a stitched together map of the rainfall forecast for the EU and Ukraine/Western Russia/Kazakh for the next seven days from the excellent Martell Crop Projections. Looks like it's staying dry for most of the UK, northern France and central/western Germany but welcome moisture in most other places:

World Crop Weather Highlights

28/02/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from Martell Crop Projections:

Heavy rain hit Eastern Midwest Sunday, second major storm in a week: flooding occurring; forecast calling for more heavy rain; still very cold northern US, subzero F nights; snow persisting Upper Midwest, northern spring wheat

Brazil Mato Grosso soybeans heavy rainfall yesterday; way above normal rain past 2 weeks; South Brazil relatively dry since mid February; same weather pattern to prevail this week

Warm days, cool nights Argentina grain belt; soil moisture favourable Cordoba, Santa Fe, Entre Rios; too dry and warm in the southwest Argentina, La Pampa and western Buenos Aires

Europe warm west, cold east; dominant Feb weather pattern; recent rain helpful in France but still way too dry; 2-4 inch moisture deficits Jan-Feb; severe dryness also in Slovakia, Hungary, Balkans; dry forecast, no relief

Western Australia very hot 98 to 103 F; rain is predicted; spotty showers yesterday in northern New South Wales, February has been dry; forecast continues wet north Australia tropics

China showers Sunday in winter wheat, up to 0.80 inch, drought easing; cool temperatures slowing wheat growth; forecast becoming favourably wet in Central-East China rapeseed; rain badly needed, also too dry

Cool, showery weather Pakistan, Northwest India favours winter wheat development; unsettled conditions to continue with below-normal temps; wheat yield potential good and improving

Russia winter wheat stuck in cold wintry pattern; cold high pressure prevails; very dry and cold February in Ukraine, Russia, Black Sea winter wheat; more of the same this week in forecast

World Crop Weather Highlights

25/02/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Heavy precipitation mostly rain fell yesterday Mid South, Eastern Midwest; moisture needed to replenish dry fields; more of the same predicted next week; bitter cold persisting Canadian prairies and Northern US Plains, spring wheat areas

Brazil Mato Grosso state still super wet, daily thunderstorms; more rain would be welcome in South Brazil, rather dry past 7-10 days; moisture needed in Rio Grande do Sul, soybeans filling pods; dry finish to growing season would hurt the yield

Argentina weather dry and very cool; night lows in the 50sF; autumn weather arriving early; soil moisture excellent in Cordoba, Santa Fe, Entre Rios; coolness promotes pod filling in soybeans; field moisture vastly improved from heavy rain, 8-11 inches since mid January; minor soy states in northeast Argentina super-wet last week

Dryness in France easing, scattered showers this week; more rain needed , 2-3 inch moisture deficit central France Jan-Feb; snowfall in SE Europe yesterday; moisture is needed; temperature contrast persisting, West Europe warm, East Europe and Ukraine cold

Australia rain set to return to Northern New South Wales, has been dry in February; Western Australia winter wheat area still hot, highs in the 90s; showers expected, not enough to offset heat; planting still a couple months off

China rainfall in winter wheat still has not materialized; GFS model insists rain is coming 0.75 to 1.5 inch eastern Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu; forecast not too wet northern wheat area Shandong, Hebei; warming temperature forcing wheat out of dormancy

Hot 80-90s F returned to India subcontinent; winter rapeseed (rainfed) is too warm and dry; Northwest India wheat faring better, scattered showers, cooler temperatures; temp forecast still favourably cool NW India

Still bitterly cold Russia Volga wheat region; night lows -18 to -23 F; Black Earth wheat relatively mild, lows zero to -10 F; Black Sea and Ukraine wheat areas much warmer, closer to average late Feb weather; Black Sea wheat needs moisture, past 4-6 weeks rather dry; best precipitation keeps developing to the south in Turkey, Middle East

World Crop Weather Highlights

09/02/11 -- World agri-weather highlights from the excellent Martell Crop Projections:

Kansas snowstorm produced 0.30 inch of beneficial precipitation, much more required to eliminate drought; storm petered out in south Oklahoma and Texas wheat areas; sub-zero temps last night again HRW wheat

Rainy yesterday in Brazil's 3 top soybean states, excellent showers Mato Grosso; crop potential improving; extreme heat has vanished highs mostly 80s F yesterday; Parana forecast very wet

Showers still lingering in Argentina northern soy area; cool temps prevailed, highs mid 70s F; very good growing conditions, adequate field moisture; dry forecast next week for a change

Balmy temps in Europe yesterday, France, Spain especially warm, above 60 F; dry conditions a growing concern central France, Spain, north Italy, Balkans; wet forecast for northern Europe

Australia warmth returning, highs 80's F Tuesday New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia; trying to rain in Western Australia, hit or miss showers yesterday; good weather overall

No meaningful rain North China Plain, spotty showers here and there, Anhui, Shandong, Henan; drought a serious concern winter wheat; temperatures warming up, slow growth beginning; very wet South China 3-4 inch rains

India dry and unusually hot; winter rapeseed suffering moisture stress Madyha Pradesh, Rajastan; sctd showers expected in northwest India, Punjab and Haryana, wheat needs rain, growing conditions too hot

Wintry weather continues in Volga, Black Earth wheat areas; crop dormant under protective snow; Black Sea wheat expected more beneficial rain; prospects improving with better precipitation in the past 3 weeks

Is The Weather Having A Laugh?

02/02/11 -- Still reeling from extreme flooding, Cyclone Yasi is expected to make landfall in Queensland later today. Described as a "monster, killer storm" by Queensland premier Anna Bligh, Yasi has been upgraded to the highest level category five overnight.

The state's sugar cane crop is seen most at risk amongst agri-commodities, and Queensland accounts for around 90% of the national total output. Mining is also under further threat, with copper and tin prices surging to record highs overnight.

Meanwhile how they could do with a drop of rain on the North China Plain, where around 75% of the nation's wheat is grown. The provinces of Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Anhui, Shanxi and Jiangsu have seen no significant rains at all in the October/January period.

Hebei Province has received just 2mm of rain since November and Shandong upped it's drought alert to the highest level last Thursday.