Frost/Freeze Warnings

[Harner, Drew]

Good morning, all,

I'm forwarding an email update (please see below) from our viticultural research and extension colleague at the University of Maryland, Dr. Joe Fiola, regarding weather forecasts for the next few days and resources related to spring frosts and freezes. We are expecting some challenging conditions in Virginia over the next couple of days that bring with them a potential risk of damage to young shoots. 

Included below is a link to forecasts for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast that include Virginia, provided by Dr. Mark Hoffman, NCS Viticulture and Strawberry Production Specialist, and links to various resources that Dr. Fiola has prepared regarding frost/freeze damage. Apologies for any cross-posting, in case some on this listserv already receive Dr. Fiola's posts. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

All the best,

Drew

--

Drew Harner 

Assistant Professor of Viticulture and Extension Specialist

AHS Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Virginia Tech

595 Laurel Grove Rd., Winchester, VA 22602

dha...@vt.edu

540-232-6050

he/him/his

Viticulture Lab Website

Viticulture Extension Program Website

---

From: Joseph A Fiola <jfi...@umd.edu>
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2026 2:53 PM
To: Joseph A Fiola <jfi...@umd.edu>
Subject: Frost/Freeze Warnings

Hi all. The April weather roller-coaster continues in the region. After a week with record breaking highs, we have at least one night, maybe more, of challenging weather ahead. Although this event should not be as cold as the previous, there is still potential for damage.

Below are the detailed forecasts and comments for the next few nights. As always, thanks to Dr. Mark Hoffman, NCS Viticulture and Strawberry Production Specialist, for preparing this summary and including Maryland. 

https://strawberries.ces.ncsu.edu/news/ncsu-frost-alert-apr-19-21/

Plese see the pertinent TimeyVits below on grapevine frost/freeze damage background, prevention, compensation, management and potential options. 

Late-frost Information

Late frosts are a significant challenge to grapevines that have started their growth. There are some techniques that can help prevent/mitigate/recover from frost damage, but all have limitations. 

Please see the attached review article from Dr. Michela Centanari on Understanding and Preventing Spring Frost and Freeze Damage to Grapes. 

If you are interested in getting more background info on how vines can tolerate cold, the conditions that can cause damage to buds and vines, how to assess and compensate, the fruitfulness of various buds, etc., please visit my Timely Viticulture Newsletters on the topics (see below).

 

If you experience potentially damaging low temperatures, we highly recommend you sample/assess vines for bud damage so that any necessary adjustments to the number of shoots retained while thinning. There is more detail in the pertinent TimeyVits below. As usual, the URL listed brings you to the HTML (computer-readable) version. If you prefer the pdf formatted, downloadable/print-friendly version, just cursor down to the bottom of the article and click on the red print-friendly version. 

I have also attached a PDF of a presentation I have given summarizing the various aspects of preventing, mitigating, and recovering from frost damage.

Grapevine Frost/Freeze Damage I: Background and Prevention (html)

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/grapevine-frostfreeze-damage-i-background-and-prevention

Grapevine Frost Damage II: Compensation, Management and Potential Options (html)

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/grapevine-frost-damage-ii-compensation-management-and-potential-options

 

Additional TimelyVits are  always available on my web site: 

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/timely-viticulture

Additional viticultural information is always available on my web site:

https://extension.umd.edu/programs/agriculture-food-systems/program-areas/fruit-vegetable-production/grapes-and-fruit

Thanks and take care, Joe

Joseph A. Fiola, Ph.D. 

Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit
University of Maryland Extension
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
18330 Keedysville Road | Keedysville, MD  21756-1104
Voice: 301-226-7579 | Fax: 301-432-4291
jfi...@umd.edu | http://www.extension.umd.edu/smallfruit

“University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.” 

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.