As usual Jeff Franklin from AAFC Kentville is providing us the last measurements done at Kentville Research station. Here, we’re able to observe the graphs showing the evolution of the climate until Monday May 24. As in our previous weather update publications (and in the following ones as we’ll continue sharing them throughout the growing season), we can observe the Growing Degree Days (GDD).
The first table shows the temperature base 5⁰ C and base 10⁰ C from 2018 until 2021 accumulated each year from March 1 until May 24.
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) |
245.2 |
189.5 |
170.3 |
284.2 |
224.1 |
240.9 |
|
Insect
development (Base 10º) |
100.2 |
52.2 |
50.8 |
105.5 |
81.4 |
92.2 |
Figure 1. Degree day accumulations as of May 24,
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.
Similar to the previous publications on April 27 (Season
2021: Weather update) and on May 18 (The
beginning of 2021: Weather update and bud burst), 2021 seems to be one of
the seasons with more accumulation of heat units, especially according to base
5⁰
Celsius. Based on 10⁰ C, 2021 has 105.5 which is above the average temperature
of the last 5 and 10 years with 81.4 and 92.2 respectively. 2018 is quite close
with 100.2.
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.
This graph highlights the difference in the last 2 years and
shows some similarities of 2021 with 2017 and 2018. According to this graph, 2010
and especially 2012 presented even higher accumulation of heat units. Important
to mention that these extra heat units have accelerated our bud burst compared
with the previous season and in the next couple of days we’ll see more growth
due the favorable conditions.
Figure 3. L’Acadie blanc with approximately a week of growth