Soil drought intensifies across Ukraine

During the third ten-day period of June, Ukraine experienced warm weather, followed by extreme heat at the end of the month, accompanied by a lack of rainfall. The weather pattern was caused by hot air masses moving from North Africa through Southern and Central Europe into Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, maximum air temperatures reached 33–38°C, while western regions, Odesa Region, and Zakarpattia recorded highs of 39–40°C. Temperature conditions in western and southern Ukraine were generally similar.

As an active atmospheric front passed through the country, uneven rainfall was recorded in parts of the northern and eastern regions, ranging from heavy downpours to only trace amounts of precipitation, with thunderstorms, squalls, and hail in some areas. Meanwhile, most central and southern regions, along with parts of western Ukraine, remained completely dry. The late-June heat accelerated the ripening of early grain crops and the development of late-season crops.

The uneven distribution and overall shortage of rainfall during June resulted in highly variable soil moisture conditions across the country. As of June 30, soil moisture reserves had declined to insufficient levels across most agricultural areas. Soil drought of varying intensity developed, persisted, and expanded across much of southern, central, and eastern Ukraine, affecting an estimated 30–40% of late-season crop acreage.

Overall, agrometeorological conditions remained generally satisfactory for the development of most crops, although heat stress affected plants in many areas. The rapid accumulation of effective temperatures accelerated the growth of warm-season crops, including corn, sunflower, soybeans, and vegetables, whose development was close to the long-term average or slightly behind normal.

Tags: Ukraine, drought