This monitoring period covers the late growth and harvesting stage of summer crops (maize, soybean, rice, and spring wheat). In general, crop condition was mixed due to abnormal below average temperature in the Canadian Prairies, abundant precipitation but below average sunshine in the Corn Belt and Northern Plain, destructive Fire and a Hurricane. 

RAIN was significantly above average by 27%; it reached + 26% in United States but -3% in Canada. TEMP and RADPAR were below average by 0.5 ℃ and 2%, respectively. The West coast of North America was below average by 31%, and the extremely dry conditions favored destructive fires (Carr Fire and the Mendocino Complex Fire  in California). Most other areas experienced above average precipitation, including British Columbia to Colorado (+2%), Northern Great Plains (+33%), Corn Belt (+17%), and Cotton Belt to Mexican Nordeste (+24%). The Lower Mississippi, Southeast, and Southern Plain received above average precipitation in late August and September, especially for the south-western part of Corn Belt. The maximum positive precipitation departure (above 200 mm) occurred in North Carolina in the early of September due to Hurricane Florence.

Temperature in the Corn Belt was above average by 0.3℃, while the TEMP of British Columbia to Colorado and Northern Great Plains were below average by 0.4℃ and 1.2℃. TEMP of Cotton Belt to Mexican Nordeste and West Coast was nearly average. From mid-August to the late of October, the MPZ experienced abnormal below average temperature, the maximum negative departure of temperature reached -7.0℃ in late September. The significant decrease was also observed in Northern Plain. At the same time, the core part of corn belt, cotton belt and Southeast regions experienced abnormal above average at temperature.

Potential Biomass of North America was above average by 10%, but in the Canadian Prairies and the Southern Plains, below average precipitation and significantly below normal temperature caused a sharp decline of potential biomass (‐20%). VCIx was 0.89 and even exceeded 1 in some regions of the Northern Plains. Cropping intensity of Canada was below average by 3%. 

In general, crop condition was mixed in the north-American MPZ.

Figure.X Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles

Figure.X Spatial distribution of temperature profiles

Figure.X Potential biomass departure from 5YA

Figure.X Maximum VCI

Figure.X Cropped and uncropped arable land

Figure.X Minimum Vegetation health index

Figure.X Cropping intensity