No crops are grown between late October and January in Northeast China due to the low temperatures. For the period under consideration, however, agro-climatic conditions were favorable for crops to be planted in April. 

The CropWatch agro-climatic indicators show markedly above average rainfall (+90%) and a slight decrease in PAR (-3%). Temperature (-0.6°C) was generally about average. These favorable agro-climatic conditions resulted in 7% above average potential biomass production in the region, the only exception being the west of Heilongjiang province (Xiaoxingan ranges) which shows below average NDVI due to the severe drought during the previous monitoring period. VCIx also shows this spatial pattern(<0.5 in this area). In general, abundant snow will ensure good soil moisture, which will benefit spring crops in 2017.