Autumn temperature drops are not indifferent to crops, so it's no wonder that before the onset of winter, the fields can be nervous. To be on time with all the necessary treatments, it is useful to know when and where frosts are expected, and the temperature drop will be extremely noticeable for plants.

The fact that frosts are extremely dangerous for crops is well-known to farmers and fruit growers. Even owners of allotments and home gardens recognize the negative effects of night frosts.

Sudden temperature drops, which last for a long time, can significantly weaken plants both before the winter season and in spring when their vegetation takes off.

Autumn frosts are particularly damaging to winter crops that are in the early stages of growth and require additional strengthening treatments before the winter season. Treatments carried out at the right time give plants essential micronutrients and increase resistance to low temperatures and their considerable fluctuations.

Knowing when the frosts will be, you can plan most of your treatments to make it before the temperature drops below zero.

Taking advantage of any weather window when the maximum daytime temperature allows you to carry out the necessary treatments is a good idea. 

When and where are frosts in Poland?

Frosts are defined as drops in air temperature at ground level below zero degrees, while the average daily temperature remains positive. The greatest risk of frost is in spring and autumn, which is an extremely sensitive time for plants - at the beginning or end of the growing season.

Frosts in our climatic conditions occur every spring and autumn, all over paradise, although with varying intensity. The lowest temperatures are usually recorded in the northeast, while other regions of the country are sometimes slightly warmer. The frequency of frosts also varies - sometimes morning frosts occur a few times, and sometimes a dozen times. The more of them, the more damage and losses they can cause to crops.

It's worth knowing where the frosts are
 

Many farmers struggle against time before winter to get the most important field operations out of the way before the first sharp drop in temperature. Cold air and night frosts are the first harbingers of the coming winter, which can appear as early as late September.

When night frost weakens plants

When plants are in the early stages of growth and the air temperature drops below freezing, it can unduly weaken them, so they will enter the winter season in a deteriorated condition and will be much weaker in the spring. Spring frosts are also not beneficial, even for those plants that survive the winter well. 

This is because they cause a lot of physiological disruption and stress to the plants, which means that a lot of energy expenditure in the plants goes into regeneration.

And this is associated with weaker and lower yields.

Spring frosts vs. winter frosts

Interestingly, the frosts that occur in autumn and spring are much more damaging than the frosts that occur in winter. First of all, because during this time the plants are not covered by snow cover. And secondly - during periods when frosts occur en masse, there are large temperature fluctuations.

During the day there is warmer air and higher temperatures, and at night near the ground, the temperature drops below zero. Such diurnal differences are extremely unfavorable and can cause a lot of agricultural and orchard damage in a short period.

While frosts are unavoidable, low temperatures can be predicted. Thus, with good planning, there is a chance to carry out strengthening treatments in the autumn, so that temperature drops and even prolonged frosts will not unduly weaken crops.

Will there still be frosts in 2022?

You can know well in advance whether frosts are expected. Our app, Meteotrack Agro, systematically publishes warnings for specific regions regarding both low temperatures and other severe weather conditions. So you can know days in advance when frosts, temperature drops, or unusually cold air are forecast.

This year, frosts have already appeared earlier or later across the country, and air temperatures continue to remain low. However, not everyone has finished fieldwork and necessary pre-winter treatments. There is a chance, however, that there will be local warming shortly, and in some regions, the temperature will rise enough to allow for some more strengthening spraying in the fields.

Check if frosts are expected

Just as every year winter surprises road builders and drivers, frosts can mess up a lot of agricultural plans and fieldwork. Admittedly, neither frosts nor their negative effects can be avoided, but the risk of weakening crops can be reduced.

Farmers who follow Meteotrack Agro, check the long-term forecast and useful weather links, are able to better plan fieldwork, carry out necessary treatments faster and thus reduce losses caused by frost and temperature drops. A verified weather forecast is a farmer's best ally not only during the season when frosts occur but also at other times of the year. After all, there is no other profession so closely tied to and dependent on weather conditions.