From late October 2019 to January 2020 in Inner Mongolia, there were no crops in the field due to low temperatures. However, weather conditions in this period were relevant, particularly rainfall, as it controlled soil moisture availability for spring sown crops. In October, slightly below average conditions had almost no effect since the crops had reached maturity or were harvested already.

The reporting period recorded 57 mm of precipitation, which was 21% above the average.The rainfall profile showed that rainfall was above average in each month during this reporting period. Together with above temperature average (TEMP, +0.7°C) and close to average radiation (2% below average), potential biomass accumulation was simulated at 7% above average level. 

Though the average of VCIx was above 0.9 and below 0.5 in the southeast, as well as lower BIOMASS in central Ningxia, north of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hebei, it was not vital as no crop existed in the field. In general, above average snow and rainfall may be able to provide adequate soil moisture for the land preparation and early growth of 2020 spring crops.

Figure 4.7. Crop condition in China Inner Mongolia, October 2019 to January 2020

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b)  Time series rainfall profile 

(c) Maximum VCI   

(d) Potential biomass departure from 5YA