Jeff Franklin is sharing this week the main observations of the season in terms of temperature and precipitation until August 11. Always good to remember, this information is coming from Kentville Research Development Centre (KRDC), therefore, some differences between locations are possible to be found.
The first table shows the temperature base 5⁰ C and base 10⁰ C from 2018 until 2021 accumulated each year from March 1 until August
11. At the end of each section, it’s possible to see the average of the last 5
and 10 years respectively.
|
Category |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
5 year average |
10 year average |
|
Plant development
(Base 5ºC) |
1329.5 |
1192.3 |
1314.9 |
1350.0 |
1286.6 |
1290.7 |
|
Insect development
(Base 10º) |
817.2 |
673.8 |
812.8 |
792.7 |
764.2 |
760.7 |
Figure
1. Degree day accumulations as of August 11, 2021. All data are taken from the Kentville weather
station, based on a start date of March 1, and calculated using the single sine
method.
Currently, it’s possible to see in 2021 a slightly decrease in
the accumulation of heat units, being 2018 and 2020 higher with 817.2 and 812.8
respectively. Jeff reports us that July has the mean temperature for that month
of 1.4 °C lower than the 10-year average (19.1 °C compared to 20.5 °C). Even
though this diminishment of the temperatures, 2021 still presents a higher
accumulation with 792.7 compared with the 5- and 10-year average with 764.2 and
760.7 respectively.
In the following
column graph, it’s possible to see the values from 2004 until 2021 and at the
end you can see the average of the last 5 and 10 years respectively.
Figure 2. Degree day accumulations as of August 11,
2021 base 10⁰ C.
All data are taken from the Kentville weather station, based on a start
date of March 1, and calculated using the single sine method.
This graph confirms our previous comments about the lower
accumulation through July and the season 2018 and 2020 have a higher accumulation.
Like the previous weather update, it’s quite interesting to see how 2006 had
even a higher accumulation until this date, similarly as in the case of 2012
and 2013.
In relation to precipitations, Jeff informs us with precipitation
totals in July were approximately twice the 10-year average. Moreover, already
in the first 11 days of August, we have received half of the expected
precipitation for this month. Keep in mind, 50mm of precipitation in July were
received in a 45-minute period on the 21st with thunderstorms. This
was a localized event and it did not impact the entire Annapolis Valley.
|
|
2021 Precipitation (mm) |
10 Year Average 2011 to 2020 Precipitation (mm) |
|
June |
35.9 |
104.3 |
|
July |
164.4 |
84.7 |
|
August |
48.3*** |
90.2 |
***Data for the first 11 days of August
Figure 3. Precipitation in June, July and first 11
days of August in 2021 and the average of the last 10 year (2011-2020).
In the following photos it’s possible to observe grapevines
at different stages.
Figure 4. On the left Castel and on the right Lucie
Kuhlmann
Figure 5. On the left Seyval and on the right L’Acadie
blanc
Figure 6. On the left Riesling and on the right Chardonnay