The unique winter of 2022-2023 in the Saratov region and its impact on the overwintering of winter crops

Agricultural production largely depends on the climatic conditions of the area. Therefore, to assess and predict their impact when growing crops, it is necessary to take into account the phenology of the cultivated crops. The article outlines the climatic characteristics of the winter period of 2022-2023, which determine the overwintering conditions and, as a consequence, the yield of winter grain crops in the Saratov region. An analysis of climatic conditions led to the conclusion that the average air temperature for the winter was 0.7?С above the climatic norm and amounted to an average for the region of -7.6?С, and the amount of precipitation amounted to 73% of the climatic norm (76 mm). The winter period of 2022-2023 was characterized by a large number of thaws, and the early transition of average daily temperatures through 0°C contributed to the melting of snow cover throughout the region 12-22 days earlier than long-term dates (March 4-15, 2023).