Following a strong cold front on April 5, Hungary experienced an influx of Arctic air. By Sunday, a weak night frost was noted over a vast area. By Monday, frost was widespread, except in the Northwestern region and the Southern shore of Lake Balaton. The North and northeast, which host nearly two-thirds of the country's fruit-growing regions, recorded temperatures from -6 to -8 degrees Celsius, impacting various fruit species.
The frost affected about 90% of fruit-growing areas, with damage observed across most fruit types. Despite the use of protective measures, the advective frost, characterized by its transport to the region, proved challenging to control with current frost protection technologies. The damage was intensified by the frost's duration, lasting nearly 12 hours, with 6-8 hours in critical temperature zones.
Early stone fruits like apricots and almonds have mostly finished blossoming, while peaches, cherries, sour cherries, and plums are in bloom or starting to blossom. The early morning frost dropped temperatures below the damage threshold of -2°C, potentially causing damage in these orchards. Damage assessment is underway, with results expected by April 14-15. According to HungaroMet, frosts may continue until Friday, though less severe, with an end to frost risk anticipated by the week's end.
Source: FruitVeb