A cold winter is on the way

Last week, Reinout van den Born released 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 is in, the winter meeting has taken place, and the first month of the new winter is about to begin. In the western half of Europe, including the Netherlands, the winter of 2022 appears set to be significantly colder than normal and quite dry, with the possibility of prolonged wintry weather and easterly winds, particularly in the second half of the season. The first half of the winter looks much more variable, though temperatures could still drop.

If it is ever going to happen, it might just be this coming winter. This is especially noteworthy given the changing climate and the associated decreasing likelihood of wintry weather. It has been a long time since the lead-up to winter looked like it does this year. According to Reinout van den Born, the chances of serious wintry weather appear greater this year than in the past 10 years. Many indicators are positive; it is now up to the weather to deliver—if that is even still possible in the current context.

Winter enthusiasts are eagerly waiting after a forecast like this, but growers naturally view it differently. Weather and forecasts are subjects that we, as growers, deal with daily. What does this winter forecast mean for us?

Generally, young apple and pear plantings are more sensitive to wintry weather than older ones. In the case of frost alone, it is possible to cover the tree strips with organic fertilizer; in the event of snow cover, it is best to break it up. To monitor whether these measures have been effective, additional temperature sensors can be connected.

Please note: In the event of snowfall, it is important to clear the solar panel on the weather station of snow and ice to ensure the battery remains fully charged.

Source: www.weer.nl