Last week, Reinout van den Born published the winter forecast for 2022 for weer.nl. He expects a cold and dry winter, with the possibility of prolonged wintry weather in the second half.
The latest data are in, the winter meeting has taken place and the first month of the new winter is almost here. The winter of 2022 looks set to be a clearly colder than normal and fairly dry winter in the western half of Europe, and so in the Netherlands too, with the possibility of prolonged wintry weather with easterly winds, especially in the second half of winter. The first half of the winter looks a lot more variable, but it can turn colder then too.
If it is ever going to happen, it may well happen this coming winter. Certainly given the changing climate and the shrinking chances of wintry weather that come with it. It has been a long time since the run-up to winter looked like it does this year. According to Reinout van den Born, the chances of serious wintry weather this year seem greater than in the past 10 years. Many of the signals are green; it is up to the weather to deliver. If it still can in the current context.
Winter lovers are waiting eagerly after a winter forecast like this, but growers naturally see it differently. The weather and the weather forecast are subjects we growers deal with every day. What does this winter forecast mean for us?
In general, young apple and pear plantings are more sensitive to winter weather than older plantings. With frost alone, it is possible to cover the tree strip with an organic fertiliser; with a snow cover, it is best to break it up. To monitor whether the measures have helped, we can connect extra temperature sensors.
Note: when it snows, it is important to clear snow and ice from the solar panel on the weather station so that the battery stays fully charged.
Source: www.weer.nl
