As of January 22, according to the Chaoshan Meteorological Observatory, Chaoshan Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau, Guangdong Provincial Specialty Tea Meteorological Service Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tea Research Institute, National Tea Industry Technology System Cultivation Physiology and Ecology Position, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences Chaoshan Branch, Chaoshan Agricultural Science and Technology Research Center, and the “Light Cavalry” Chaoshan Team's guidance on specialty tea meteorology.

Due to cold air, the Chaoshan Meteorological Observatory issued a cold orange warning signal at 14:42 on January 22. The Chaoshan Three Defenses Command started a Level IV emergency response to freezing at 15:00 on January 22. This cold air will have a long-lasting impact, with a significant temperature drop. The average temperature is expected to fall by 10–11°C cumulatively, with the lowest temperatures occurring in the mornings of January 24 or 25. Southern plains will experience temperatures of 3–5°C, while northern mountainous areas will see -2–2°C, with frost. High-altitude areas may experience freezing rain and ice.

In terms of wind: By the evening of January 22, land winds will increase to northeast winds of level 4, with gusts reaching level 6–7. River, lake, and highland gusts will reach level 8. Northeast winds off Raoping's coast will increase to level 7, with gusts reaching level 9; winds will significantly weaken from the daytime of January 25.

I. Weather Forecast

Forecasted, from January 22 to 24, due to the influence of cold air replenishment, most of our province will maintain cold, rainy weather. Temperatures will continue to drop, with widespread temperatures below 5°C. From January 25 to 26, daytime temperatures in the province will rise, but it will remain cold in the morning and evening. The weather forecast for the main tea-producing areas of Chaoshan is as follows:

January 23: Overcast with light rain turning to partly cloudy, 6–12°C; January 24: Partly cloudy to clear, 4–15°C; January 25: Partly cloudy to clear, 4–17°C; January 26: Clear to partly cloudy, 6–19°C; January 27: Partly cloudy to clear, 9–21°C; January 28: Partly cloudy to overcast, 12–20°C; January 29: Partly cloudy to overcast, 13–19°C.

II. Measures Suggested

(a) Pay Attention to Severe Cold Air Forecasts

Closely monitor weather forecasts and promptly grasp changes in agricultural disasters caused by climate, especially for tea nurseries, young tea gardens, and high-altitude tea gardens. Emergency measures should be taken early. Before the cold snap, implement anti-freeze measures such as covering the rows and canopy of the tea garden with trimmed leaves, straw, and shade nets. After the cold snap, remove the canopy coverings in a timely manner.

(b) Covering for Frost Prevention

For young tea gardens, take local conditions into account and use intercropping green manure plants (such as red pine mushrooms, peas, and vetch), soil building, covering, and setting up barriers as frost prevention measures. This can raise soil temperatures and minimize the harm caused by extreme low temperatures to the tea garden, ensuring Spring Tea production next year.

For mature tea gardens where there is a risk of frost, cover the canopy with trimmed leaves, straw, weeds, or shade nets. After the cold and frozen weather, remove the covers in a timely manner. For hillside tea gardens, materials available locally, such as straw, rice stalks, and stalks, can be used to cover the rows of the tea garden.

(c) Spraying Anti-Cold and Frost Agents

After a forecast of low-temperature and frozen weather, to enhance the ability of tea trees to resist cold stress and improve their resistance, spray foliar fertilizers (300 times dilution of pine needle extract liquid) or plant anti-cold and frost agents (exogenous melatonin 100 µmol/L) once on non-rainy days.

(d) Timely Drainage

For plots in low-lying areas with poor drainage, promptly dredge ditches and dig additional drainage ditches to prevent meltwater from causing freeze damage to the roots of tea trees. For mountainous tea gardens with heavy ice accumulation, after the temperature rises, promptly remove the ice from the tea tree canopy to reduce the occurrence of frost damage.

(e) Spraying Water for Frost Prevention

For tea gardens with irrigation facilities, promptly repair irrigation equipment and clear water storage pools, actively storing water for standby use. When the temperature drops to around 0°C, spray water onto the tea trees through the sprinkler system to effectively control frost damage.

(f) Post-Frost Management of Tea Gardens

For tea gardens affected by frost, pruning can be carried out before the sprouting of tea buds in spring next year when the temperature rises. The depth of pruning should be based on the degree of frost damage, with the cutting point ideally 1–2 cm deeper than the dead branches. Tea trees with only leaf edges damaged do not need pruning. After pruning frost-damaged tea trees, strengthen fertilizer and water management, applying early-spring bud-inducing fertilizers. Fertilization should generally be done before the end of February, with quick-release fertilizers as the main type. On top of ensuring nitrogen fertilizer, add phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and if possible, organic fertilizers.