From December 13th to 15th, 2023, Hebei Province experienced its first snowfall of this winter. The snowfall lasted for a long time and was of high intensity, with snowfall ranging from 12cm to 17cm and reaching over 20cm in some areas. In addition, this snowfall was accompanied by a cold wave, cooling, and strong winds, causing a certain degree of harm to the grape facilities in Hebei. In response to the heavy snowfall, the grape research team of Institute of Changli Fruit Research actively took the following measures. Firstly, before the heavy snowfall, a warning was issued, and WeChat groups were used to remind all bases and growers to raise awareness, pay attention to weather forecasts, and take preventive measures. Secondly, when the snow began, experts reminded farmers to pay attention to the amount of snowfall and remove it in a timely manner. Thirdly, after the occurrence of damage, experts conducted on-site, telephone and WeChat investigations on the disaster situation, and developed relevant emergency technical guidance plans.

This snowfall has caused relatively light damage to grape facilities in the northeastern and northern production areas of Hebei Province, while Raoyang, Shijiazhuang, and Xingtai City in the central and southern production areas of Hebei Province have been severely affected, resulting in collapse and film damage of some greenhouse. In response to the damage of snow disasters, emergency guidance and suggestions have been proposed:
1.After the snow, all producing areas should take cold prevention and freezing resistance as the first priority. The melting process after snow will inevitably absorb a large amount of heat, which will cause low-temperature weather and have an impact on the overwintering of grape trees.
2.In the central and southern regions of Hebei, greenhouses should be fully enclosed if they are not damaged, and felt should be hung around the greenhouses for insulation. In greenhouses with spraying irrigation conditions, appropriate amount of water can be sprayed to improve grape tree cold resistance.
3.In the central and southern production areas of Hebei, if the greenhouses are twisted and collapsed, and the grape trees inside the greenhouses are not covered for cold prevention, do not remove the greenhouse structure and film temporarily. The film plays a role in insulation and cold resistance. After the temperature rises, repair the greenhouse structure in a timely manner and take measures to protect the trees from cold, including burying in soil or covering with quilts.
4.In the northeastern and northern regions of Hebei, measures should be taken to prevent cold, and those that have not been watered should be watered first. The cold prevention measures like covering trees with felt or rainproof cloth, or by building a second film can be used.
5.If there is a small amount of snow on the greenhouse film, but it does not affect the facility structure and greenhouse film, there is no need to clean up the snow temporarily. Especially for greenhouses without cold protection measures, the snow on the film can play an appropriate role in insulation.

（Source from www.rmlmgmt.com）