MARS - European weather October/Nov. 2023 predominantly wet and warm The EU Commission's Agricultural Meteorological Institute (MARS) analyzed the weather data in the period from October 1st to November 18th, 2023 with regard to the effects on agriculture. The results sometimes vary greatly from region to region. There was above-average wet weather in the area affected by the Atlantic coast, starting in western Spain, along the French west coast, southern parts of Ireland, countries along the North and Baltic Sea coasts and into the Baltic states. The amount of precipitation was between 100 and 150% above the long-term average. This resulted in disruptions to autumn harvests such as potatoes, sugar beets and corn. The soil being too wet prevented or hindered the timely sowing of winter crops in some areas. Field emergence does not always develop favorably. In contrast, it was warmer than average in the southern EU regions, with a focus on the southeastern European countries. In Romania and Bulgaria there was drought in some areas. This resulted in difficulties with sowing and plant development.On the other hand, there was sufficient rainfall in a small area in the rain reservoir of the mountains. In Ukraine, Turkey, southern Italy and the North African Magreb states it was warmer than average and dry with unfavorable starting conditions for winter sowing. Overall, average temperatures were 2 to 4 degrees above long-term averages. In large parts of northern and western Germany, soil water supplies have been replenished. Only in the eastern federal states and some regions of southern Germany is there still a groundwater deficit down to depths of 1.80 m, as the Helmholtz Institute's drought monitor shows. The water available to plants up to a depth of 25 cm is over 100% across the board.
