17.02.2026, 11:37
Kazhydromet warns of risks to winter crops due to temperature fluctuations
Temperature swings create additional stress for underdeveloped plants
In the first ten days of February, agrometeorological conditions in southern and southeastern Kazakhstan were generally satisfactory for the overwintering of winter crops. However, forecasters point to potential risks: frequent thaws in the south lasting up to four days, combined with alternating positive daytime and negative nighttime temperatures, may adversely affect poorly developed plants. This was reported in Kazhydromet’s ten-day review.
According to the assessment of winter wheat viability as of January 20, the share of dead plants reached 4–18% in the Almaty region, 3–20% in the Zhambyl region, and 4–12% in the West Kazakhstan region.
The review states that in the first decade of February, air temperatures in the south and southeast of the republic exceeded the climatic norm by 4…7°C. In areas cultivating winter wheat, precipitation was mostly close to normal, while in the Zhetysu region it exceeded average levels. In the Turkestan region, emergence of winter wheat and barley was observed in certain areas, particularly near the Kazyghurt and Shymkent meteorological stations. The third leaf stage of winter wheat was recorded in the Almaty region (Akkainar) and the Turkestan region (Shymkent).
In the Almaty region, minimum air temperatures in winter wheat cultivation zones dropped to minus 7…10°C, while the temperature at the tillering node reached minus 2°C. Precipitation totaled 6–8 mm, which corresponds to 80–114% of the norm. Snow cover height ranged from 2 to 12 cm, and soil freezing depth was 29–40 cm.
In the Zhetysu region, minimum air temperatures in areas cultivating winter crops reached minus 13…17°C. Precipitation exceeded the norm at 11–20 mm (182–200%). Snow cover height ranged from 3 to 26 cm, and soil freezing depth was 22–53 cm.
In the Zhambyl region, minimum air temperatures in winter wheat fields ranged from minus 3…10°C, while soil temperature at the tillering depth was 0°C. Precipitation was mostly at or above normal, totaling 6–29 mm (82–169%).
In the Turkestan region, minimum air temperatures in winter grain cultivation areas reached minus 1…7°C, with minus 1°C at the tillering node depth. Precipitation amounted to 19–41 mm, which corresponds to 86–158% of long-term averages.
In the Zhambyl and Turkestan regions, due to rising air temperatures, there was no snow cover and no soil freezing.
