In the United States the definition of a "heat wave" varies by region; however, a heat wave is generally defined as a period of at least three consecutive days above 90°F (32.2°C). The historical average high temperature for the month of June in the Southeastern New England region is 77°F (25°C). So, it appears the Northeast part of the country has just had its first heat wave of the year. But this is a small one… nothing compared for example to the heat wave that claimed an estimated 35,000 lives in Europe during the summer of 2003. That year, temperatures reached as high as 104 Fahrenheit and remained extreme for about two weeks.
Heat wave or not, it certainly has been very hot for early June here in the Northeast. So what effect did this short period of unusually high temperatures have on our vines?
Though most people tend to think that high temperatures are a good thing for vines, this is not always the case. It depends on several factors such as how hot and humid it really gets, the duration of the heat spell, the present growth stage of the vine and more importantly, what happened previously during the growing season.
Temperatures in our region had been a bit lower than usual throughout the spring so the vines were at best running on schedule and in some cases a little behind. So, am I happy for the heat? You bet.
Vines “took off” over the last week with shoots growing very rapidly. Inflorescence are now mostly fully formed (here's a picture of a Pinot Noir inflorescence). I’m glad to say that the majority of the vines have now “caught up” to schedule and will begin flowering any day now. The vines have a deadline to meet in November (it's called harvest), so they love it when weather conditions help them stay on schedule.
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