Zoning - position in the landscape
The cold air mass that comes with a frost is similar to pouring liquid nitrogen on a flat table - if you tilt the table the liquid nitrogen will slide down the surface. A frost is similar because the cold air will pool in lower areas where the air has nowhere to escape. The identification of frost prone zones would help to inform crop choice and time of sowing. In addition, in the event of a frost, knowledge of susceptible areas would help inform salvage options, for example cutting for hay and/ or grazing. After a significant frost year, harvest offers the opportunity to map frost affected areas which would help inform management strategies for the following season.
Climate resources
Frost risk maps are produced July to October each year for growers and advisors to observe the severity and occurrence of frost events for the south west land division. These maps aid in strategic monitoring of crops for frost damage and help inform salvage options. Historic maps have been compiled annually from 1975 showing the occurrence and severity of frost events for each month (July, August, September and October). The August, September and October data has then been combined to show occurrence and severity over these sensitive months in one map.
The Extreme weather events tool uses data from DPIRD's extensive weather station network to map extreme temperatures, either below or above a specified threshold. It provides real-time information about the location, duration and severity of frost and heat stress events, to help grain growers manage accordingly to reduce their financial impact.