The last time we had a game off because of a frozen pitch I recall CAFC saying the temperature of The Valley pitch (in a valley) was 2/3C below the official temperature on the weather report.
That would normally be about right on a cold night but the huge amount of rain is affecting that.
Affecting in what way?
If the ground is saturated then any frost will penetrate deeper below the surface and it will take longer for the pitch to thaw, and then there will be even more water in the pitch
The last time we had a game off because of a frozen pitch I recall CAFC saying the temperature of The Valley pitch (in a valley) was 2/3C below the official temperature on the weather report.
That would normally be about right on a cold night but the huge amount of rain is affecting that.
Affecting in what way?
Keeping the soil warmer. It’s noticeable today how quickly paths are losing their snow despite the temperature being below freezing.
Thanks for clearing that up lads So it will take longer to thaw and will be quicker to thaw. Evens Hex 2/1 randy andy.
I recall going to Walsall where they had the braziers on the go. It didn't work and the game got called of, so we spent the afternoon on the piss in Birmingham.
It would be true to Charlton historical continuity if the ground staff and club struggle heroically to get everything ready and the match is played against all odds... Only for us to get completely gubbed by the lucky heather sellers 4-0.
The ground staff seem more confident. looking at the forecast for Charlton, it does seem to be getting colder in SE7 than predicted a few days ago. I remember reading that frost covers are effective in air temperatures up to -6 but I think -4 is pretty marginal from experience so we will have to see.
Fingers crossed that we can get the game on. I may be misremembering, but isn't there an area of the pitch that is problematic because it's shadowed by the Jimmy Seed Stand and gets little or no sun ? If so, I expect we'll try and work on that section with heaters etc.
The topography of The Valley is also relevant - as @Covered End says, the last time we lost a game because of a frozen pitch, the club said that temperature at pitch level was 2/3C below that in the official weather report.
Fingers crossed that we can get the game on. I may be misremembering, but isn't there an area of the pitch that is problematic because it's shadowed by the Jimmy Seed Stand and gets little or no sun ? If so, I expect we'll try and work on that section with heaters etc.
The topography of The Valley is also relevant - as @Covered End says, the last time we lost a game because of a frozen pitch, the club said that temperature at pitch level was 2/3C below that in the official weather report.
Yes, I mentioned earlier that the temperature you see in weather forecasts is the air temperature, measured 4ft/1.2m above the ground (usually grass). The top ground layer (an inch or so) can create its own micro climate in the air immediately above, particularly in calmer conditions. As an example, currently in the vast lawned grounds of chateaux Hex, the air temperature is -1.8C while the ground/grass temperature is -4.4C.
So with a predicted low of -5 to -8 (air temperature) there may be a ground temperature of, say, -8C to -11C at The Valley. Can rain covers offer protection ?
One postponed game was because the lino's running area (off the pitch) was frozen, although the pitch was ok. It was on the north east side.
Thought we solved that by putting AstroTurf down?
Maybe, does Astroturf not freeze/not freeze as much?
Providing the drainage is good Astro would be perfect for a light frost, if however there's a build up of water and then a frost it becomes harder than frosty soil and as such can be more dangerous.
Fingers crossed that we can get the game on. I may be misremembering, but isn't there an area of the pitch that is problematic because it's shadowed by the Jimmy Seed Stand and gets little or no sun ? If so, I expect we'll try and work on that section with heaters etc.
The topography of The Valley is also relevant - as @Covered End says, the last time we lost a game because of a frozen pitch, the club said that temperature at pitch level was 2/3C below that in the official weather report.
Yes, I mentioned earlier that the temperature you see in weather forecasts is the air temperature, measured 4ft/1.2m above the ground (usually grass). The top ground layer (an inch or so) can create its own micro climate in the air immediately above, particularly in calmer conditions. As an example, currently in the vast lawned grounds of chateaux Hex, the air temperature is -1.8C while the ground/grass temperature is -4.4C.
So with a predicted low of -5 to -8 (air temperature) there may be a ground temperature of, say, -8C to -11C at The Valley. Can rain covers offer protection ?
They are frost covers designed for air temperatures up to -6 I believe.
One postponed game was because the lino's running area (off the pitch) was frozen, although the pitch was ok. It was on the north east side.
Thought we solved that by putting AstroTurf down?
Maybe, does Astroturf not freeze/not freeze as much?
Providing the drainage is good Astro would be perfect for a light frost, if however there's a build up of water and then a frost it becomes harder than frosty soil and as such can be more dangerous.
Pour a couple of kettles of boiling water over the area.
Comments
So it will take longer to thaw and will be quicker to thaw.
Evens Hex
2/1 randy andy.
-4C Friday night.
1C achieved by 2pm Saturday.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/se7
Maine Road in 1953
Swansea's Vetch Field 1959.
Burnden Park, Bolton 1938
Just saying.
The topography of The Valley is also relevant - as @Covered End says, the last time we lost a game because of a frozen pitch, the club said that temperature at pitch level was 2/3C below that in the official weather report.
It was on the north east side.
So with a predicted low of -5 to -8 (air temperature) there may be a ground temperature of, say, -8C to -11C at The Valley. Can rain covers offer protection ?
Surely that would do the trick ?