Chill hours in Cromwell, Otago: the last 10 winters
Ten seasons of winter chill for Cromwell, Otago (-45.0384, 169.2001), calculated from NASA POWER hourly temperatures across 2016 to 2025. Instead of comparing winters yourself or hunting for the nearest weather station, the three standard models for fruit trees and berries are already worked out below.
How the last season compared
The 2025 season came in at 1888 chill hours, within a couple of percent of the ten-season average of 1893. It was the third-lowest of the ten seasons recorded here. Chill portions, which discount warm spells differently, came to 140.2 against a ten-season average of 141.7.
Ten-season average, low, and high
| Model | Average | Lowest season | Highest season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45°F Hours Hours between 0 and 7.2°C (32–45°F). | 1893.2 hours | 1787.0 | 1968.0 |
| Utah Weighted bands; warm hours subtract from the total. | 1463.0 units | 1383.0 | 1605.5 |
| Dynamic Fishman–Erez model; handles warm spells. | 141.7 portions | 133.9 | 146.6 |
45°F Hours and Utah are counted over 1 May – 31 August, the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the UC Davis 1 November start. Dynamic is counted over 1 March – 30 September.
Season by season
| Season | 45°F Hours | Utah units | Chill portions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1787 | 1383.0 | 138.8 |
| 2017 | 1901 | 1406.0 | 143.9 |
| 2018 | 1968 | 1405.5 | 144.0 |
| 2019 | 1900 | 1470.5 | 135.5 |
| 2020 | 1890 | 1605.5 | 145.5 |
| 2021 | 1940 | 1541.0 | 143.7 |
| 2022 | 1797 | 1424.5 | 133.9 |
| 2023 | 1911 | 1514.0 | 145.3 |
| 2024 | 1950 | 1422.5 | 146.6 |
| 2025 | 1888 | 1457.0 | 140.2 |
Which fruit varieties suit Cromwell?
The 3 most chill-demanding varieties that still fit an average of 1893 chill hours here.
| Variety | Species | Chill requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Rome Beauty | Apple | 1000 hours |
| Reliance | Peach | 1000 hours |
| McIntosh | Apple | 900 hours |
Station data for Otago
NASA POWER is a grid estimate. For measured station data and local chill guidance, see Summerfruit New Zealand: winter chill round-up, with Richardson chill units by district.
Other locations
No other page here sits within 500 km of Cromwell. All chill-hour locations.
Track this season in ChillCast
ChillCast tracks this season's chill for Cromwell, Otago on your iPhone and compares it with the ten-season average above.
Generated
This page was generated on 2026-09-06.
About this data
Values are NASA POWER regional estimates (about 0.5° grid), not orchard measurements. Check your local extension service for station data.
Source: NASA POWER hourly 2-metre air temperature (MERRA-2). NASA does not endorse ChillCast.