August 2014 Cumulative Heating Degree Days and Rainfall

Temperature-wise, through August, we've had 2072 heating degree days this season - almost an exact duplicate of last year, and one of the warmest seasons in recent memory.  Fortunately, again this year, the warmth has come in the form of steady warm temperatures, rather than in heat spikes - with only 5 days above the critical 95F point.

Rainfall-wise, for October through August, we've had 27.4 inches of rainfall this season, 11 inches less than the 10-yr average, an inch less than the most recent driest year (2009), and about 7 inches less than last year.  All of the shortfall came during the dormant season, but with plenty of rain during early shoot-growth the vines have been exceptionally vigorous this season.

As we head into the last few weeks before harvest, the weather forecast is showing continued sunny, dry weather with highs in the mid- to upper-80s and lows in the low-50s,