A computer-implemented method comprises the steps of using a processor to calculate, for a current calendar date, an initial growing degree day (GDD) warmth value based at least in part upon a past GDD warmth value for a calendar date in a previous year corresponding to the current calendar date; calculate a present GDD warmth value; calculate a deviation value from at least the initial GDD warmth value and the present GDD warmth value; calculate for a future calendar date a future growing degree day (GDD) warmth value based at least in part upon a past GDD warmth value for a calendar date in a previous year corresponding to the future calendar date; and determine a predicted GDD warmth value for the future calendar date by applying the deviation value to the future GDD warmth value. An apparatus to perform the method is also disclosed.
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