Showery seasons create a false sense of security: a forecast of 2–5 mm may look “green,” but it often doesn’t offset evaporation – and postponing an operation can cause more harm than good. Agdir makes this assessment practical by combining field-specific forecasts, degree days, and local history.

The result is a set of decision rules that are easy to apply on the go: when a split fertilizer dose pays off, when short irrigation intervals are needed even if rain is “on its way,” and when spraying should be delayed to ensure effect and minimize drift.

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Almost rain in Agdir – from gut feeling to field-specific rules

Agdir displays rainfall, wind, and temperature per field and translates this into operational windows. In showery periods, precision is about recognizing when 2–5 mm won’t make a difference, or when light drizzle destroys spraying effectiveness. By combining forecasts with degree days (ET) and, when needed, sensor data, the question “Do we wait or go?” becomes a guided decision rather than a guess.

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Decision rules for the three critical operations

1. Spraying: ensuring effect and minimizing drift

· Forecasted drizzle (<2 mm) in 2–3 hours: Spray now if the wind window is green and the product’s label allows. Move to early morning if wind is marginal and rain may interfere with efficacy.

· Forecasted showers (2–5 mm) spread over the evening: Consider splitting the field – prioritize high-risk zones first, finish the rest in the next safe window.

· Inversion/heat peak: Prioritize cooler minutes (dawn/evening); avoid calm wind just after sunset during inversion risk.

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2. Fertilizing: balancing uptake and leaching

· “Almost rain” (<4 mm) with high degree-day rate: Apply a split dose now, then fine-tune after actual rainfall.

· Showers (2–5 mm) and sandy soil: Avoid full dose in advance – split it. Monitor uptake with degree days and sensors if available; delay remainder if leaching risk increases.

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3. Irrigation: covering ET and preventing stress

· 2–5 mm rarely covers ET during heat peaks. Schedule short irrigation intervals in evening/morning to “bridge” until real rainfall.

· On heavier soil or near saturation: use split, low-intensity watering; consider waiting if a strong rain band is forecast within 12 hours.

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Practical thumb rules by soil type

Sand

Reacts fast and dries quickly – 2–5 mm rainfall rarely reduces irrigation needs during heat peaks.

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Silt/clay

Can tolerate delay if a solid rain band is near; emphasize saturation risk and timing of split doses/light watering.

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How to set up rules in Agdir

· Create task templates with “shower check”: split-dose flag for fertilizing; “short interval” tag for irrigation; “drizzle” decision point for spraying.

· Enable field-specific alerts for combinations such as: rapid degree-day increase + 2–5 mm in forecast = consider immediate action.

· Document each choice in the journal – building repeatable routines for next season.

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Summary

Showery weather blurs even the best plans. With field-specific decision rules in Agdir, “almost rain” becomes manageable: split doses when uptake demands it, shorter irrigation intervals when ET runs high, and spraying in safe wind windows.

Set up the “shower check” in your templates and activate alerts – making the showery season more controlled and less costly.