In general, environmental conditions were below average in most parts ofthe Western Europe MPZ during this reporting period. The summer crops werecompletely harvested, and winter crops were planted and reached over-winteringstages. Figure 2.5 represents an overview of CropWatch agroclimatic andagronomic indicators for this MPZ.

The agroclimatic indicators show that total rainfall was 13% belowaverage, with exceptional positive departures over most of Germany, the CzechRepublic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary in early October and, from late Octoberto early November over most of England and Denmark, the south of France, and inthe east of Spain and Italy after late November. Temperatures over the wholeMPZ were close to average (+0.2°C), and temperature profiles indicate that aboveaverage temperatures were observed in most of Western Europe from mid-Octoberto late October, and from later November to mid-December in the south of Franceand the east and west of Spain. The radiation was 4% below average.

Due to the continuous rainfall deficit, especially after November,coupled with the impact of low temperature in mid-November, the biomassaccumulation potential, BIOMSS, was 10% below the recent five-year average. Thespatial distribution of BIOMSS shows that the lowest values (-20% and below)occur over most of France, Spain, the Czech Republic, northern Italy, the eastof Austria, and the south of Hungary. The values for minimum VHI confirm thewater deficit to a certain extent in those regions. In contrast, BIOMSS in mostother regions was 10% above average.  

91% of the arable land was cropped during this reportingperiod, 1% lower than the recent five-year average. Most uncropped arable landwas concentrated in Spain and also scattered in the central part of Hungary.Accordingly, maximum VCI in Spain, south of France, north of Italy, west of theCzech Republic and the east of Hungary were lower compared to other regions in thisMPZ. Average VCIx for the MPZ was 0.89. Crop condition is slightly below average inWestern Europe. 

Figure 2.5. Western Europe MPZ:Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, October 2015-January 2016