The probability of occurence of days in which the temperature is lower or equal to 13°C, 15°C, and 17°C in the Central Region of the Rio Grande do Sul State was determined. Sequences of days with temperature lower or equal to the thermal levels above cited were also determined. Data from nine Meteorological Stations for the months of December, January, February, and March were used in this study. The results showed that the risk of cold damage to the rice flowers fecundation is lower from the middle of January through middle of February. In order to reduce yield decreases by low temperatures, the choice of the cultivar and time of seeding should be done so that the flowering period coincides with this period of time.
rice; minimum temperature; probability
