Rapid Estimation of Heat Accumulation from Maximum and Minimum Temperatures

A method is presented for estimating heat accumulation by using daily maximum and minimum temperatures and assuming the sine curve as an approximation of the diurnal temperature curve. A table is given for estimating heat accumulation for a given day, and a computer program is described for accumulating heat units over a 1—year period. The technique permits the use of an upper as well as a lower threshold and has a precision in the order of ± 5%.