Crop condition was generally above average in most parts of the continental Western European MPZ during this reporting period. The harvest of summer crops was completed, and winter crops were planted and reached over-wintering stages.

The agroclimatic indicators show that total rainfall across the MPZ (as measured by the RAIN indicator) was 3% below average, resulting from marked negative departures in (1) large parts of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, south of Denmark, Northern and northeastern France from early to mid-October, November, mid-December and after mid-January.The negative departures also cover (2) most of Spain, United Kingdom, north of Denmark, West, South and Southeast of France, central and southeastern Italy in early October, mid-November, after late-December, and (3) north of Italy from early to mid-October, mid-November to early December and after late December.The most severely affected countries were Denmark (RAIN -30%) and United Kingdom (RAIN -13%).Substantially drier than usual conditions in large parts of Western Europe hampered the sowing and emergence of winter crops.However, in northern Italy, the persistent wet weather continued from mid-October to early November and delayed field operations.More rain is needed in the coming months to raise soil moisture levels, and create favorable conditions for the growth of winter crops.

Temperature (TEMP) for the MPZ as a whole was below average (-0.5°C), but radiation was well above average with RADPAR at +4%.Below average temperatures were only observed (1) in theUnited Kingdom, Spain, France, south of Germany from late October to mid-November and after January; (2) most of Germany and Denmark in late October, late November, mid-December and after late January; (3) Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary in late November, mid-December and after early January.Sources indicate that no damaging frost has appeared so far.

The biomass accumulation potential was 3% above the recent five-year average.The lowest BIOMSS values (-20% and less) occurred in most of central France and Spain.In contrast, BIOMSS was above average (sometimes exceeding a 10% departure) over western and south-western France, eastern of Spain, eastern Hungary, northern and south-eastern Italy.

The average maximum VCI for the MPZ reached a value of 0.86 during this reporting period, indicating favorable crop condition in spite of low values in some regions. More than 90% of arable land was cropped, which is the same as the  recent five-year average. Most uncropped arable land is concentrated in Spain, and scattered pixels in France, Italy, Slovakia and Hungary.

Generally, the condition of winter crops in the MPZ was above average at the end of the reporting period. However, more rain will be needed to ensure adequate soil moisture supply when the winter crops resume vegetative growth in spring.

Figure 2.5a. Western Europe MPZ spatial distribution of rainfall profiles (left) and profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm) (right), October 2018-January 2019

Figure 2.5b. Western Europe MPZ spatial distribution of temperature profiles (left) and profiles of temperature departure from average (℃) (right), October 2018-January 2019

Figure 2.5c. Western Europe MPZ maximum VCI, October 2018-January 2019

Figure 2.5d. Western Europe MPZ cropped and uncropped arable land, October 2018-January 2019

Figure 2.5e. Western Europe MPZ biomass accumulation potential departure, October 2018-January 2019

Figure 2.5f. Western Europe MPZ VHI minimum, October 2018-January 2019