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-3°C for Swiss farmers: Vineyards fight against spring frost

06:00
21 April 2024

-3°C for Swiss farmers
Vineyards fight against spring frost

Candles burn in vineyard to protect vines from frost in cold temperaturesCandles are burning in the Rhone Valley, Switzerland, to protect the vines from late frosts.

Vineyards in Switzerland lit thousands of candles as temperatures dropped to -3°C this week, bringing frost to the vines.

In the wine-growing region of Salgesch, the temperature dropped below 0 degrees from midnight on Thursday, triggering a frost alarm among winegrowers. Thousands of frost candles were lit to protect the vines from the cold.

In the Rhone Valley, the mercury dropped to -2.7°C in Visp on Friday morning. In Thun, the mercury read -2.3°C. It was even colder in the high Alpine valleys, such as the Engadin, at almost -8°C.

For fruit and wine growers, sub-zero temperatures in spring mean a lot of work for their crops. Over the past few days, they have been preparing for the forecast frosty nights.

In frost-prone wine regions of the Rhone Valley, frost candles and gas blowers have been set up everywhere.

Last frost dates for 2024read more

Check out a closer view of how these candles keep the vines warm with this video from France after the coldest April night since 1947 arrived in 2022.

Weather & Radar editorial team
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