Maize in this area was harvested in late September and early October, and winter wheat has been planted during the monitoring period. From the beginning of July, crop condition was worse than last year’s and below the five-year average. Radiation was below average, while precipitation and temperature were above average (RAIN, +14%), resulting in potential biomass (BIOMSS) just slightly above average (+7%).

In most of the area, the analyses based on spatial NDVI clusters and profiles are consistent with VCIx. The most favorable conditions occurred mainly in the north of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces from July to October, due to the abundant rainfall and suitable sunlight. On the contrary—and mostly because of drought during the monitoring period (as confirmed by the maps of potential biomass)—crops were in poor condition (compared to the five-year average) in the provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi Ningxia. Although crop condition in some areas seemed below average in late September, this may be as a result of early harvest rather than a poor crop. Due to lower RADPAR (-3%), tThe area of cultivated land (CALF) decreased by 5 percentage points compared with recent years.

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

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

(d) Maximum VCI                                                                     (e) Biomass