Climate
The Zavolzhie Steppe is located in the North-Western part of the Caspian Lowland territory. The Caspian Lowland represents a unique territory in Europe with a transition from steppe to semi-desert ecosystems. The semi-desert itself is a transitional zone to the real deserts of Asia.
Average annual temperature in the region is 6.1-7.2°C. Mean annual precipitation is between 150-300 mm. Almost one half falls during the warm period (April-September), when average annual potential evaporation reaches 900-1000 mm and the maximum temperature is above 40°C. Dry winds are observed for around 80 days per year with minimal temperature around -35°C. A stable snow cover can be observed from November till March, with an average depth of 10cm.
Frosts in the late spring and early autumn, winter thaws and strong eastern winds have a very negative impact on agriculture of this area. Average air humidity is around 50-60%, in the summer this value is down to 13%, even during night time. Average spring moisture storage in the soil layer of 0-100 cm is about 50-60 mm, which is why the yield on non-irrigated lands usually is very poor. The moisture deficit increases by the middle of April; this leads to fast evaporation from the upper soil layers. During summer soil temperatures reach 65-70°C. Quick and timely agricultural actions need to be carried out in order to benefit from the spring moisture and in order not to be too late with sowing. Out of 25 years only 5 years are productive, 4 out of 25 are average years and 16 are non-productive years.
