Drying Noted In Spain, Much Of Europe Still Without Snow
By Andrew Owen
Kansas City, December 17 (World Weather Inc.) – Most of southern Europe was dry during the past week unlike the early autumn when rain was falling frequently to support well established winter crops. Portions of Spain, like Morocco and northwestern Algeria, have been dry for an extended period of time and the need for rain is slowly rising. Spain is the only nation in the European Continent that is 
dealing with persistent dryness and soil moisture was assessed at short to very short levels earlier this week. Weather patterns will be unchanging for a while and that will translate into continued dry and somewhat stressful conditions for some winter crops.
In the meantime, much of Europe is snow-free except the higher elevated areas. Warm weather in recent weeks caused poor snow cover conditions and the trend is unlikely to change greatly in the coming week to ten days. The warmer than usual conditions will keep precipitation falling as rain except in the mountains.
The northern half of Europe reported light to moderate precipitation during the past week. Moisture totals for the seven day period ending Tuesday morning ranged from a trace to 0.75 inch with local amounts over 1.00 inch from the United Kingdom and the northern half of France through Poland and the Baltic States. Portugal and western fringes of Spain also reported up to 1.00 inch of rain with locally greater amounts. Ireland was the wettest region with moisture totals ranging from 1.45 to nearly 4.00 inches. Much of this precipitation fell as rain due to the warm conditions. The remaining portions of Spain and areas from southern France through the Balkans region were dry or mostly dry.
Spain would benefit from a boost in precipitation if it occurs prior to the start of the more aggressive spring growth period beginning in February. Pockets in southern France, Italy, and the Balkans also have a slight shortage of moisture, but the situation is far from a crisis – outside of Spain and there is plenty of time for improved rainfall.
The main concern for Spain is for winter wheat and barley. Winter crops are planted in November and December in much of the country. The recent lack of rain promoted less than favorable establishment and development conditions, although early season rainfall likely led farmers into their fields a little earlier than usual restricting the impact of recent drier biased conditions. There is still plenty of time for improved soil moisture before spring crop development and planting begin. The month of January will be very important in restoring more favorable soil moisture.
Snow cover is also needed in much of central and eastern Europe before temperatures turn colder to adequately protect winter wheat, barley, rye and rapeseed from any adversity that might come from the colder temperatures. No significant cold is anticipated for at least the next two weeks leaving plenty of time for snow to fall, although none is currently expected. Wheat, rapeseed, and other winter crops established under mostly favorable conditions this year and should get off to a good start in the spring of 2016.
Spain will only see few periods of light rainfall during the next seven to ten days. The rain will be too light and infrequent to have much of an impact on long term soil conditions. Temperatures will remain warmer than normal promoting aggressive drying between rain events. Soil moisture will continue to deteriorate in much of the country, but winter crops are in a semi-dormant state right now which will keep the demand for moisture low for a while.
Much like Spain, most other sections of Europe will only receive light precipitation through the middle of next week. Ireland and western sections of Great Britain will receive the most rain. Other areas will not receive enough to counter evaporation in most areas. Most production areas will remain snow-free by the middle of next week. Temperatures will remain in a warmer than normal mode.
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