Wintering of Winter Cereals in Southern Regions of Kazakhstan in January

The second decade of January in the southern regions of the country was varied but generally calm for agricultural producers. According to specialists from Kazhydromet, despite temperature fluctuations, winter cereals remain in a state of deep dormancy. At present, there is no threat of frost damage.

In most southern and southeastern regions, air temperatures were 1–5°C above normal. An exception was the Zhetysu region, where a slight deviation toward colder temperatures was recorded (1–2°C below the norm).

The regional situation was as follows:

• Almaty Region: Temperatures fell to −18…−22°C. However, the key indicator — the temperature at the depth of the tillering node — remained at −6°C, which is not critical. The safety of plants is supported by a snow cover 8–13 cm thick and abundant precipitation (up to 159% of the norm).
  
  

• Zhetysu Region: This region experienced the most severe conditions. Thermometer readings dropped to −28°C, and precipitation was extremely low — only up to 50% of the norm. Nevertheless, the accumulated snow layer (7–17 cm) helps prevent excessive soil freezing.
  
  

• Zhambyl Region: Wintering proceeds under comfortable conditions. With frosts reaching −19°C, soil at the depth of the roots maintains a positive temperature (+3°C). The region has secured sufficient moisture, with precipitation twice the normal amount.
  
  

• Turkestan Region: The mildest climate in this decade. Air temperature did not fall below −11°C, and the soil remains mostly thawed. Snow depth of 9–11 cm and abundant rainfall (up to 206% of the norm) create a good moisture reserve for spring.
  
  

According to meteorological data, current agrometeorological conditions in the southern and southeastern parts of the republic are assessed as satisfactory. Specialists emphasize that no dangerous temperatures capable of destroying wintering crops were recorded during the reporting period.

Soil has frozen to depths ranging from 3 to 45 cm depending on the area, but due to timely snowfall, the “survival point” of plants remains within the normal range.