Title: A contribution to the definition of thermal belt in Sub-pannonian Slovenia
Abstract: The paper presents how the method of determining spatial characteristics of thermal belt by means of an accurate mapping of vineyards can be applied. Analyses were carried out in three areas, one in the north, one in the central and one in the south part of the Pannonian margin of Slovenia. The results have proved the method to be an adequate means for climatic investigations on a local level, where we often lack a sufficient network of meteorological stations, so that we also have to use indirect methods to obtain climatic information. However, the results have also pointed out some of the method’s limitations. It is useful particularly for the regions where the tradition of viniculture has been very long and the population has acquired apt knowledge about the local climatic conditions related to vine. It gives good results in the regions with varied landforms and sufficiently explicit vertical zoning. The results obtained show the spatial characteristics of thermal belt mainly at the beginning of the vegetation period of vine in spring, when it is most sensitive to frost. In addition to insolation, frost hazard is the most important climatic factor for the location of vineyards.