CR 76:203-223 (2018)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01532

ABSTRACT: The growth and development of grapevines Vitis vinifera L. are highly dependent on the weather dynamics of a region. The goal of this study was to use long-term historical weather data to obtain and develop several bioclimatic indices that are of viticultural importance. In this study, several bioclimatic indices were computed using 30 yr (1983-2012) of daily weather data that were obtained from the gridded surface meteorological dataset at the University of Idaho (UI GSM). The bioclimatic indices were determined for each of the American viticultural areas (AVA) located in the State of Washington and parts of northeast Oregon. Several new indices including dynamic minimum temperature (DyMin.Temp.), cold damage index (CDI), and wind speed index (WSI) were developed based on previous indices and models. Considering all AVAs, the mean frost free days (FFD) ranged from 146 to 230; the mean growing degree days (GDD) ranged from 948 to 1662; the mean biologically effective degree days (BEDD) ranged from 318 to 1590; the mean Huglin Index (HI) ranged from 1452 to 2425; the mean length of growing season (LGS) ranged from 164 to 189 days; and the mean growing season suitability (GSS) ranged from 82% to 92%. Once these data were obtained, the bioclimatic indices were then used to categorize the AVAs. These relative categories provide knowledge of climate potential in the study area for optimal grape production, potentially enabling us to match the best cultivars to a site based on its specific climate dynamics.

KEY WORDS: American viticultural areas · AVAs · Cold damage index · Wind speed index · Dynamic minimum temperature index · GIS

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Cite this article as: Badr G, Hoogenboom G, Abouali M, Moyer M, Keller M (2018) Analysis of several bioclimatic indices for viticultural zoning in the Pacific Northwest. Clim Res 76:203-223. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01532 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn