Winegrowers prepare for ground frost

Winegrowers are on high alert after a forecast drop in the mercury threatened vineyards with frost throughout Napier and Hastings this morning. Frost was expected to ice the region as overnight temperatures as low as 2C were forecast. Metservice meteorologist Claire Flynn said: “There is a ridge over us at the moment which means there isn’t much wind at night.” The lack of wind meant heat would radiate away from the ground rather than mixing with warmer surface air.