From what I'm hearing, moisture accumulation (provided that there is top
insulation on the hive) appears to occur mainly below the cluster.

Thus the thermodynamics of moisture transfer are largely dependent upon
where the heat- and moisture-generating cluster is located vertically in
the hive cavity, relative to the honey above and empty drawn comb below.

For example, in my own operation, we winter in double deeps, with the upper
box a "food chamber" full of honey, and the lower box a "brood chamber"
with the inner combs containing sealed brood (and a covering cluster of
bees) at the end of October.  On a cold day in November, there are few bees
in the food chamber.

During the winter, and pre-spring buildup, the colonies "eat their way up"
through the honey above, with the cluster moving upwards (I'm going into
detail so that everyone understands the question that I'm about to ask).
Where colonies consume little honey during winter, the cluster will barely
move upwards.  But in the far north, if they consume 60+ pounds of honey,
the cluster will move from the lower box up into perhaps the third box in a
triple.

So with regard to upper vent holes, I want to know where the cluster is
located vertically in the hive over the course of the winter in various
climates.

My question:  Could some of you in different climates post your location
and * how many vertical inches of honey are above the brood in November,
compared to the vertical inches of honey remaining after pre-spring buildup?

Thanks in advance!

Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
530 277 4450
ScientificBeekeeping.com

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