Crops in North America were in better than average condition during the monitoring period, which coincides with the growing season of winter crops, especially wheat, and the sowing season of summer crops. The agro-climatic environment was dominated by moderately warm and rainy weather conditions, with 15% above normal rainfall and 1.4°C above average temperature.

According to the temperature departure clusters, temperature was above average from early January to the end of April, sometimes reaching exceptionally warm conditions for the season: 8°C above average from Mid-January to Mid-March in the south of Alberta and Saskatchewan, north of Montana and North Dakota. Rainfall was generally close to average except in two areas: the lower Mississippi regions, with significantly hgh departures of +150% and in the centre and south of the great plain, where winter crops received more moderately above average rainfall (+75%). At the same time, above average temperature occurred in the centre and south of the Great Plains. This region is the main winter wheat zones of United Stated, and simultaneous heat and moisture was favorable for the growth of winter crops.

In Canada, a large forest fire disaster occurred at the beginning of May at Fort McMurray (Alberta). As mentioned in the previous CropWatch bulletin, the Canadian Prairies suffered continuous drought that resulted in crop production loss in 2015. Over the first quarter of 2016, the deficit persisted, though less severely ( -15% rainfall departure in Alberta). Lack of moisture and abnormally high temperature contributed to the severity of the fire impact.

That the sowing of crops was accelerated by warm and rainy weather is confirmed by the CALF value 5% above average. The biomass production potential also increased 16% due to good weather. If the favourable weather persists, a fair winter crop can be expected.