The beginning of July in Ukraine was marked by sharp weather contrasts that could already determine the fate of the future harvest. Record heat, followed by heavy downpours, created a complex agrometeorological situation in the country's orchards and fields. This is reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center (UkrGMZ).
From record heat to sharp cooling
UkrGMZ specialists recorded extremely unstable weather in the first decade of the month. The beginning of the period was marked by anomalous warming: average daily air temperatures exceeded the norm by 4–6°C. Meteorological stations in the western regions and the Sumy region recorded maximum temperature indicators for the corresponding dates.
However, the situation changed quickly. The movement of several cold atmospheric fronts caused a sharp cooling, which was accompanied by heavy local precipitation.
Downpours and moisture deficit
According to experts, the rains in early July were so intense that the amount of precipitation from a single downpour approached the monthly or even ten-day norm. However, this precipitation was distributed unevenly. On the overwhelming part of the territory of the western regions, on the contrary, a significant deficit of precipitation was observed.
Heavy rains, although they ended the long wave of heat, caused damage to some agricultural crops. In general, the change in conditions gave a chance to improve crop formation, but the moisture problem remains acute.
Critical soil drought
The main problem for farmers remains the state of the soil. According to UkrGMZ, significant areas under late agricultural crops in early July were in a state of deep soil drought. The precipitation that fell during the decade was insufficient to restore moisture reserves to a satisfactory level.
In some areas, moisture reserves reached critical levels. In some places, complete drying of the one-meter soil layer was recorded, and dry conditions persist in adjacent areas of other regions. The situation requires close attention, as restoring the soil water balance is a key factor in saving the harvest.
