In general, environmental conditions were above average in most parts of the continental Western Europe MPZ during this reporting period, favouring winter crop growth and spring sowings. Figure 2.5 presents an overview of CropWatch agroclimatic and agronomic indicators for this MPZ.

The agroclimatic indicators show that total rainfall was 12% above averages, with exceptional negative departures over most of Austria, Slovakia,Hungary and southeast France in early January, and from late February to mid-March over most of France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia,Hungary and Spain, and in the north of Italy in late January and after late February. Temperatures over the whole MPZ were just below average (-0.4°C); temperature profiles indicate that below average temperatures were observed in most of France, Spain and UK from the beinning of the year until March, and from February to March in most of Germany, the Czech Republic and Denmark. Sunshine was significantly below average at -7%.

Due to abundant rainfall, the biomass accumulation potential, BIOMSS, was 20% above the recent five-year average. The spatial distribution of BIOMSS shows that the lowest values (-20% and below) occur over most of Spain, southeast of France and northern of Italy, as part of a moderate drought pattern that covers most of the Mediterranean countries. In contrast, BIOMSS in most other regions was 10% above average.

93% of the arable land was cropped during this reporting period, close to the recent five-year average. Most uncropped arable land was concentrated in eastern and southern Spain and also scattered in the north of Italy and southeast of France. Accordingly, maximum VCI in Spain, southeast of France, north of Italy were lower compared to other regions in this MPZ. Average VCIx for the MPZ was 0.79. Areas with low minimum VHI was partially scattered in Spain. Generally, crop condition in Western Europe was favorable. 

Figure 2.5. Western Europe MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomicindicators, January-April 2016