> In my experience, if there is a correlation, it is not very close, > and there are so many other factors (rainfall, wind, drought, etc.), > that the idea is pretty well useless where I live. Might apply somewher, though. Your ag extension agent in Alberta might be able to help you with this, as there seem to be enough people in Alberta using GDDs to prompt the extension staff to make very complete data available: http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app21/rtw/selsubj.jsp But they ARE also tracking total precipitation, and this may be a critical factor for your area. Scroll down to the bottom of this page. http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/cl4787?opendocument Here in the lower 48, springs droughts are rare enough to make the tracking of accumulated precipitation moot most years, and unlike Alberta, there has never been a train derailed by wind. But SWARMING??? You ain't never gonna "predict" swarming... jim (Funny comment deleted by the Department of Homeland Security) :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::