Wichita ? Nearly half of the Kansas winter wheat crop has suffered some freeze damage, but it is too early to determine the full effect of the weekend’s arctic blast, Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday.

The latest weekly crop condition report covered conditions as of Sunday night, on the heels of the weekend’s freezing temperatures.

A week ago, the agency reported 91 percent of the crop was undamaged by winter freezes. On Monday, that estimate plummeted to only 54 percent that was not damaged by freezing temperatures.

KASS said 15 percent of the winter wheat received light freeze damage and 15 percent was moderately damaged, while about 16 percent suffered severe damage.

The service’s report, based on drive-by inspections, is an indication of how many fields were damaged, statistician Eddie Wells said.

“There certainly is an impact out there, but we wouldn’t know what that level is,” he said.

Overall crop conditions rapidly deteriorated from what just a week ago had been shaping up to be a bumper wheat crop. KASS rated the crop Monday as 18 percent excellent and 37 percent good. About 29 percent was in fair shape and 16 percent was in poor to very poor condition.

Experts warned farmers not to rush to any conclusions, saying it will be at least a week before it can be determined whether the crop can recover. Before the extent of the damage can be assessed, temperatures have to warm enough so the plants start growing again.