In general, crop condition was average in the North American MPZ. This monitoring period covers November 2016 to January 2017, and winter crops of 2017 have been planted and reached over-wintering stages. Overall, CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show warmer than average conditions: rainfall was 4% above average and the temperature departure was +1.4°C.

The North American MPZ covers essentially the Northern Great Plains (MRU-12), Corn Belt (MRU-13), and an area from the Cotton Belt to the Mexican Noreste (MRU-13). The first MRU received abundant rainfall (35% above average), while the second and third recorded amounts that were respectively just 1% above average or a deficit (-8%). The Northern Great Plains are a main production zone of winter crops, and abundant rainfall during the current reporting period will benefit the growth of winter crops after over-wintering stages.

Temperature in the MPZ fluctuated greatly: the MPZ was dominated by warm temperature before November 2016, after which it suffered ice-storms in December and January with a temperature departure reaching -9°C. After a spell with close to average temperature, some areas, especially in the northeast recorded TEMP values 9°C above average. The warm temperature at planting time benefited the sowing of winter crops while extreme temperature during over-wintering was good for killing pests. The spatial variation of rainfall and temperature also resulted in differences in the biomass accumulation potentials, with negative departures recorded in the Cotton Belt to Mexican Noreste area (such as in Alabama with -9%) and positive values elsewhere.  

According to the maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) map, crop condition was below average in the lower Mississippi. Especially for Arkansas, the VHImin map indicates droughts due to rainfall deficit (-20%). Crops are above average in the winter crop zones, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and South Dakota. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) was significantly above average (+11.32%), while uncropped land was distributed in the Canadian Prairies and the western Great Plains. 

Overall, above average conditions prevail in the North American MPZ.

a. spatial distribution of rainfall profiles                                               b.profiles of rainfall departure from average(mm)

c. spatial distribution of temperature profiles                                  d. profiles of temperature departure from average(℃)          

e. maximum VCI                                                                              f.croppedarable land

g. Biomass accumulation potential departure                                  h.VHI minimum