October rains improved winter crop conditions even in Ukraine’s driest regions

Weather conditions for winter crops in Ukraine significantly improved at the end of October, even in traditionally dry regions, according to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center.

Heavy rains that covered most of Ukraine in the third ten days of October substantially replenished soil moisture reserves. As of October 31, the level of productive moisture in most fields is assessed as sufficient or optimal.

Experts note particularly visible improvements in the traditionally dry regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Odesa. Thanks to the October precipitation, soil moisture there has significantly increased, allowing winter crops to enter the vegetation period on time.

Early-sown winter wheat crops are already showing the start of tillering, while later plantings are in stages of germination, emergence, and the formation of the third leaf.

At the same time, late sowings have been somewhat short on effective warmth. However, meteorologists predict that temperatures will rise in early November, with average daily readings conducive to faster winter crop vegetation across the country. In the southern regions, this process may progress even more rapidly, positively affecting crop development.