Glossary
An examination of how meteorological conditions influence nectar secretion by plants and honey production by bee colonies. Weather is the single most important factor determining annual honey yields, and understanding the weather-nectar relationship helps beekeepers anticipate flows and manage colonies for maximum production.
Most nectar-producing plants secrete nectar most prolifically at temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 60 degrees, most plants reduce or cease nectar production. Above 95 degrees, many plants close their nectaries to conserve water. The ideal nectar production temperature varies by species, but the 70-80 degree range is productive for the widest variety of plants.
Night/day temperature differential also matters. Cool nights (50-60 degrees) followed by warm days (75-85 degrees) produce the heaviest nectar flows because the cool night allows moisture to accumulate in the soil and plant tissues, and the warm day triggers nectar secretion. Extended hot, dry periods dry out soil moisture and reduce nectar volumes.
Adequate soil moisture is essential for nectar production because nectar is primarily water with dissolved sugars. Drought conditions reduce nectar volume and increase sugar concentration (more concentrated but less total honey). Excessive rain can physically wash nectar from open flowers and dilute nectar in shallow-cupped flowers.
Moderate humidity (40-70 percent) is ideal for nectar production and honey ripening. Very high humidity slows the honey ripening process (bees cannot evaporate water from nectar efficiently), potentially leading to high-moisture honey that is prone to fermentation.
Adequate winter and spring rainfall (providing soil moisture for summer nectar production), warm temperatures during bloom periods (65-85 degrees), moderate humidity, and minimal wind. A mild winter followed by a gradual spring warm-up with intermittent rain typically produces the best honey years.
Generally no. Bees do not fly in rain because water-soaked wings cannot generate sufficient lift. Light drizzle does not stop foraging entirely, but heavy or sustained rain confines bees to the hive, losing foraging hours and reducing the honey crop from affected bloom periods.
Weather during critical bloom windows determines the crop. A frost that kills citrus blossoms, a drought that prevents nectar secretion, or weeks of rain during the main nectar flow can each reduce the annual honey crop to near zero. Weather risk is the biggest variable in beekeeping.
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