With 394 heating degree days, September was cooler than last year and 2009, but warmer than all other recent years. Due to the warm August and September temperatures, with 1,973 cumulative season heating degree days, 2012 is the third warmest season in recent years after the heat-spiked years of 2009 and 2006.
2012 will be remembered as one of the driest summers on record with only 0.11" of rain since June (0.04" since July 3). Heavy accumulations of dormant season and early growing season rainfall, has kept the cumulative season rainfall above normal, at 43.6"
The current weather forecast shows seasonably warm and unseasonably dry conditions for at least the next two weeks, promising winemakers the unusual opportunity to choose their own perfect harvest date.
