In Southern China, winter wheat was approaching maturity and the sowing of early rice was concluded during the reporting period. The NDVI was below the previous five-year average except for mid-March, indicating overall below average crop condition. The rainfall and temperature were above average (RAIN +43%, TEMP +0.6℃), while the sunshine was average. The cropped arable land fraction was average (CALF +1%), and the biomass was above average (BIOMSS +15%). Although all provinces within the region received significantly above average rainfall  (Guangdong +69%, Guangxi +39%, Yunnan +42%, Fujian +27% ), the impacts vary widely. The heavy rainfall in January in Yunnan provided suitable soil moisture for winter wheat while excessive rainfall in April in Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian hampered transplanting and growth of early rice. The NDVI departure clustering also confirms the above mentioned patterns (Figure 4.12, b, c): the NDVI was close to or above average during the reporting period in Yunnan while the other three provinces present below average NDVI. The region needs closer monitoring in the coming months. 

Figure 4.13. Crop condition Southern China region, January - April 2019

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                               (c) NDVI profiles

 (d) Maximum VCI

 (e) Biomass departure