Weather conditions can impact winter wheat yield. Sowing wheat in mid-October or early December can increase grain yield. Sowing in early December led to a 6.1-14.0% increase in yield compared to sowing in early or late November. The key to higher yields was more dry matter accumulation, spikes, and kernels before flowering. The plant growth rate before flowering was influenced by temperature, with low temperatures decreasing yield. Sowing wheat very late in early December could boost grain yield in the North China Plain.