Macro, Meso and Microclimates

MacroclimateThe macroclimate broadly defines the climate of a region. Most of the time this describes the general climate pattern from a recording station. Its scale is from tens of miles to hundreds of miles. Examples of macro climates are the Willamette Valley, the Rogue Valley and Eastern Oregon.

MesoclimateMesoclimate is described as the climate of a site as influenced by elevation, aspect, slope or distances from large bodies of water. Its scale extends from tens of yards to miles depending on the consistency in topography. Mesoclimate is often referred to as Topoclimate for it’s the topographic influence on a site’s climate.

MicroclimateMicroclimate is the smallest scale of climate. Its scale is from tens of yards to millimeters. Examples include conditions behind windbreaks, near trees, around the vine canopy and inside the canopy. Humans manipulate vine canopy microclimate with trellis systems, shoot positioning, leaf and lateral removal. Manipulating canopy microclimate alters disease pressure, fruit composition and fruitfulness of shoots.

Source: http://www.rexhill.com/viticultureblog/2011/09/macro-meso-and-microclimates/