Chilling

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-010428",
  "term": "Chilling",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "The process of cooling a substance or object to a temperature below that of its surroundings, particularly to just above its freezing point. In agricultural meteorology, it describes the exposure of plants or seeds to low, non-freezing temperatures, which is a requirement for some species to break dormancy or initiate flowering. The accumulation of chilling hours, the total time spent below a certain temperature threshold like 7°C, is a key metric for fruit growers.",
  "see_also": [
    "chill hour"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/chilling/"
}