Snow Yesterday, Frost Tomorrow?

 It’s complicated. Some vines have budded out. Snow is not a problem. But temperatures below 30°F are a problem.

 Chardonnay, Merlot, and some Cabernet Franc started to show green leaves with last week’s warm spell. That makes those tender shoots vulnerable to frost damage.  But not all the buds of those varieties have opened. So even if there was to be damage, it would not be a total crop loss. 

 Snow can fall at temperatures above freezing. This is what happened yesterday. Four inches fell with temperatures at 34°. It looked really weird, but those young shoots should be fine. Snow, ice, or wind chill don’t matter.  It’s all about what the thermometer reads.

 29°F is the number we’ll be watching for tomorrow morning before sunrise. Above that, the vines will be fine. Colder is trouble. It could mean starting the growing season with a reduced crop. The forecast is for 29°F.

 One degree could make all the difference. 

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: April 19, 2022