Littmann et al. (2026) Weather Types Controlling Wind and Evapotranspiration in a Temperate Vineyard—A Transfer Application to a Low Wind Speed System

Identification

• Journal: Innovations in landscape research
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-01
• Authors: Thomas Littmann, Tobias Recke, Daniel Littmann, Maik Veste
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-00993-7_10

Research Groups

• DLC–Dr. Littmann Consulting, Ennepetal, Germany
• CEBra–Center for Energy Technology Brandenburg e.V., Cottbus, Germany
• Department Molecular Botany, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

Short Summary

This study identifies typical microclimatic parameter combinations and objective weather types controlling wind and evapotranspiration in a temperate vineyard, finding high evapotranspiration linked to specific high-pressure systems and low irrigation demand, and models windbreaks to mitigate these impacts.

Objective

• To identify typical combinations of microclimatic parameters controlling evaporative processes within a temperate vineyard.
• To analyze daily objective weather types for upscaling and prognostic purposes related to wind and evapotranspiration.
• To model the local wind field for designing windbreak systems to reduce wind impacts and evapotranspiration.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Wolkenberg vineyard, a temperate vineyard in Germany.
• Temporal Scale: Analysis of measurement data over vegetation periods, considering multi-year trends for irrigation demand.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Cluster analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), local wind field model (for windbreak design).
• Data sources: In-situ measurement data of microclimatic parameters within the vineyard, daily objective weather types from the German Met Service (DWD).

Main Results

• Gusts up to 14 m s⁻¹ were occasionally measured in the vineyard.
• Three PCA clusters were derived, revealing two main constellations for high evapotranspiration: spring (wind-dependent) and summer (saturation deficit-dependent).
• High evapotranspiration constellations significantly correlate with high-pressure systems in a marginal position, typically leading to north-westerly or south-westerly flow with varying wind speeds.
• The water balance over the vegetation periods was generally negative.
• Irrigation water demand over the vegetation period is estimated to be low (20–80 mm) in years without long summer dry spells, potentially lower for deep-rooting grapevines.
• Modeling showed that a vertical artificial shading net could reduce wind impacts and evapotranspiration.

Contributions

• Identification of specific microclimatic parameter combinations and objective weather types (DWD) that control wind and evapotranspiration in a temperate vineyard, particularly in a low wind speed system.
• Quantification of irrigation water demand for grapevines under specific weather conditions.
• Application of statistical methods (cluster analysis, PCA) to link local microclimate to broader weather types for prognostic purposes.
• Demonstration of a transfer application of wind field modeling for designing windbreak systems (e.g., artificial shading nets) to mitigate wind impacts and reduce evapotranspiration in vineyards.

Funding

• Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
• PT-DLR (Project Management Agency at the German Aerospace Center)
• German-South African project FarmImpact (FKZ 01LZ1711A-F)

Citation

@article{Littmann2026Weather,
  author = {Littmann, Thomas and Recke, Tobias and Littmann, Daniel and Veste, Maik},
  title = {Weather Types Controlling Wind and Evapotranspiration in a Temperate Vineyard—A Transfer Application to a Low Wind Speed System},
  journal = {Innovations in landscape research},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1007/978-3-032-00993-7_10},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-00993-7_10}
}