May Heating Degree Days and Rainfall

We had 167 Heating Degree Days (HDDs) in May, bringing growing season-to-date HDDs to 245.  The warm start we had in April helped to offset May's below normal accumulation.  Despite the cooler weather in May, the timing of the warmer days fit well with vine development, and as a result, the shoots are fairly evenly developed and above the second of the three sets of trellis wires.

We had 2.3 inches of rain in May, somewhat higher than "normal"; bringing water year accumulation to 41.3 inches. 

Looking forward, the current short-term forecast shows near normal rainfall and cooler than normal temperatures over the next few weeks.  Hopefully temps will be somewhat higher than currently expected as we head into the pre-bloom period, helping us maintain what is currently a "Goldilocks" situation with just about right early-season growing conditions.