Forecast for large part of Europe could have various implications for farmers
By
Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Apr 7, 2020 4:05 PM EDT
These webcams are capturing the eerie silence at many of the world's landmarks as coronavirus continue to keep people under lockdown.
A stretch of dry weather across much of Europe may help farmers across the continent in the short-term, but fears of a possible drought later in the growing season loom.
While there could be a few weak storms traversing the region, a lot of Europe will be dry through the next week.
"A drier-than-normal pattern is expected to hold across much of Europe through Easter weekend and into mid-April," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
For farmers, this temporary lack of rain will be welcome, making it easier for the planting of soybeans, corn and other vegetables in the coming weeks.
Those across western and central Europe who will be out planting will just need to contend with above-normal temperatures. Temperatures could average as much as 4-8 C (7-14 F) degrees above normal by the end of next week.
But not everywhere across Europe will be so lucky.
Although dry weather is in the forecast across eastern Europe, which will assist with planting, winter wheat crops will struggle in the dry pattern.
In this Friday, June 15, 2018 photo, winter wheat stands ready to by harvested in a field farmed by Dalton and Carson North near McCracken, Kan. Kansas farmers are harvesting a smaller winter wheat crop amid an ongoing drought. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
"Much of the winter wheat crop across Europe has been hit hard so far this spring, with surges of cold air pushing through northern and eastern Europe through early April," said Roys.
"Unfortunately, the continued dryness, and the potential for more spells of chilly air into next week in eastern Europe, could further impact the winter wheat crop in a place like Ukraine," Roys added.
The exception is early next week, where a few bouts of rain could hit the Baltics and northern Ukraine.
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According to the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA), the projected wheat crop yield is 25.8 million tons, as of April 3. This number has remained steady since the crop update on March 2, while projected crop yield for barley decreased and the projection for corn increased.
Any drop in crop yield could impact to country's economy significantly. With an estimated two-thirds of Ukraine's crops being exported out of the country, possible restrictions on food exports amid the global COVID-19 pandemic could play an important role as well.
The dry stretch thus far in 2020 has already made an impact in parts of Ukraine, as wildfires broke out this past weekend near Chernobyl, an area north of Kyiv near the border with Belarus.
Officials evacuated some residents near the fire on Thursday.
A view of a forest fire burning near the village of Volodymyrivka in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine, Sunday, April 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Yaroslav Yemelianenko)
The region is also one that produces a decent percentage of the wheat crop for Ukraine.
"Depending on how much the fire grows and spreads, it's possible that the wildfire could damage some of the wheat crop in the region," said Roys.
By Wednesday afternoon, smoke from the wildfire turned the skyline in Kyiv hazy.
Following some extreme droughts in Europe the past few years, fears are growing about the potential for more drought conditions as spring and summer unfolds. A lack of rain during the growing season can significantly impact crop yields.
Frequent bouts of rain pushed across the Mediterranean Sea in March, helping to alleviate building drought conditions in southern Europe.
"While there are no major droughts across Europe at this time, should the drier-than normal pattern continue into April or even May, wheat and other crops could become affected," said Roys.
AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting a below-normal wheat yield from Europe given the winter wheat issues and the potential for further weather-related problems this spring and summer.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Business
Forecast for large part of Europe could have various implications for farmers
By Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Apr 7, 2020 4:05 PM EDT
These webcams are capturing the eerie silence at many of the world's landmarks as coronavirus continue to keep people under lockdown.
A stretch of dry weather across much of Europe may help farmers across the continent in the short-term, but fears of a possible drought later in the growing season loom.
While there could be a few weak storms traversing the region, a lot of Europe will be dry through the next week.
"A drier-than-normal pattern is expected to hold across much of Europe through Easter weekend and into mid-April," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
For farmers, this temporary lack of rain will be welcome, making it easier for the planting of soybeans, corn and other vegetables in the coming weeks.
Those across western and central Europe who will be out planting will just need to contend with above-normal temperatures. Temperatures could average as much as 4-8 C (7-14 F) degrees above normal by the end of next week.
But not everywhere across Europe will be so lucky.
Although dry weather is in the forecast across eastern Europe, which will assist with planting, winter wheat crops will struggle in the dry pattern.
In this Friday, June 15, 2018 photo, winter wheat stands ready to by harvested in a field farmed by Dalton and Carson North near McCracken, Kan. Kansas farmers are harvesting a smaller winter wheat crop amid an ongoing drought. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
"Much of the winter wheat crop across Europe has been hit hard so far this spring, with surges of cold air pushing through northern and eastern Europe through early April," said Roys.
"Unfortunately, the continued dryness, and the potential for more spells of chilly air into next week in eastern Europe, could further impact the winter wheat crop in a place like Ukraine," Roys added.
The exception is early next week, where a few bouts of rain could hit the Baltics and northern Ukraine.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
According to the Ukrainian Grain Association (UGA), the projected wheat crop yield is 25.8 million tons, as of April 3. This number has remained steady since the crop update on March 2, while projected crop yield for barley decreased and the projection for corn increased.
Any drop in crop yield could impact to country's economy significantly. With an estimated two-thirds of Ukraine's crops being exported out of the country, possible restrictions on food exports amid the global COVID-19 pandemic could play an important role as well.
The dry stretch thus far in 2020 has already made an impact in parts of Ukraine, as wildfires broke out this past weekend near Chernobyl, an area north of Kyiv near the border with Belarus.
Officials evacuated some residents near the fire on Thursday.
A view of a forest fire burning near the village of Volodymyrivka in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine, Sunday, April 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Yaroslav Yemelianenko)
The region is also one that produces a decent percentage of the wheat crop for Ukraine.
"Depending on how much the fire grows and spreads, it's possible that the wildfire could damage some of the wheat crop in the region," said Roys.
By Wednesday afternoon, smoke from the wildfire turned the skyline in Kyiv hazy.
Related:
Following some extreme droughts in Europe the past few years, fears are growing about the potential for more drought conditions as spring and summer unfolds. A lack of rain during the growing season can significantly impact crop yields.
Frequent bouts of rain pushed across the Mediterranean Sea in March, helping to alleviate building drought conditions in southern Europe.
"While there are no major droughts across Europe at this time, should the drier-than normal pattern continue into April or even May, wheat and other crops could become affected," said Roys.
AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting a below-normal wheat yield from Europe given the winter wheat issues and the potential for further weather-related problems this spring and summer.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo