Cotton: the weather data in Xinjiang by end July, 2024

As of the end of July, cotton crops in the most cotton-growing areas in Xinjiang have been in the flowering stage, with some in the boll-opening stage. Overall, the growth progress was faster than the same period last year. Before mid-May, the average temperature in both southern and northern Xinjiang was significantly higher than in the same period last year. However, in late May, there were strong winds, cooling, heavy rainfall, and hail in some parts of southern Xinjiang, and northern Xinjiang also experienced some cooling. In late June and mid to late July, both southern and northern Xinjiang experienced high temperatures again. The following is the weather performance in Xinjiang up to the end of July:

From the growth progress perspective, the growing progress of cotton crops in many areas was earlier than the same period last year, while that in Hami was elatively slower. Additionally, crops in some non-monitored areas of southern Xinjiang were slightly slower than the same period last year.

In terms of average temperature, from early April to mid-May, the average temperature in both southern and northern Xinjiang was significantly higher than in the same period last year, reaching relatively high levels compared to recent cotton crop years. In late May, there was a noticeable cooling in both southern and northern Xinjiang. In early and mid-June, temperatures in northern Xinjiang rebounded somewhat but remained slightly lower than the same period last year. In southern Xinjiang, the average temperature continued to decrease in early June, with severe weather such as hail occurring in late May and early June. Temperatures in southern Xinjiang rose in mid-June. In late June, temperatures in both southern and northern Xinjiang were higher than in previous years, and high temperatures reappeared in mid to late July. However, the overall average temperature was not significantly higher than in 2023.

Regarding average precipitation, southern Xinjiang experienced a period of significant rainfall in early July, and northern Xinjiang saw a period of significant rainfall in early to mid-July. However, the overall impact on cotton production was minimal.

In terms of average sunshine hours, there was little difference from previous years in southern Xinjiang, while the sunshine conditions in northern Xinjiang were similar to those in 2023.

Overall, by the end of July, cotton crops in most cotton-growing areas in Xinjiang have been at the flowering stage, with some entering the boll-opening stage. The growth progress in most cotton areas was faster than the same period last year. Although there were high temperatures in July, the duration of the high temperatures was shorter than last year. The overall temperature was not significantly higher than the same period last year. Cotton production is still expected to be abundant, with continued attention needed for future weather conditions.