Cold snap devastates New Zealand vineyards

[Mark]

Some Central Otago vineyards lost as much as 50% of their crop after devastating frosts hit the region over the weekend.
 
Temperatures plummeted to as low as -5.5 degrees Celsius in some areas, rendering frost-fighting techniques next to useless.
 
“By mid to late December we will be able to crystallise the losses,” said Central Otago Winegrowers Association president James Dicey, “but the damages will run into the hundreds or possibly a thousand tonnes.”
 
Gibbston Valley and Central Otago viticulturist and consultant Timbo Morrison-Deaker described the damage as “particularly ugly” and the worst he could recall. “Gibbston as a sub-region looks 40% gone and Lowburn is about 25% gone. Those are significant figures.”
 
The severe weekend frosts follow a disastrous Northern Hemisphere season, reportedly the worst in 50 years, and had already led to predictions of a worldwide shortage of grapes, said Mr Morrison-Deaker.
 
The frost damage could also see a shortage of red wine varieties domestically in 18 months’ time.
 
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cold-snap-devastates-vineyards-5197949

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[Suezy]

They had prior advice to this Maek and when this happens they bring in the helicopters.  Wonder what went wrong tht they werent used.

[Mark]

Not ment to happen?.

[TokWW]

Probably too cold for the helicopters to make a difference and started too close to midnight - too long at ground frost temperatures to combat.

[David]

Yes it sounds like it was too cold for the helicopters to be of any use, temperature was too far below zero

[Weather Display]

50% was the worst case
some vines were OK

overall averages out to be about 10% loss
(source: recent farming newspaper)

[Mark]

Thats good news Weather Display Thats for that.