[Vineyard & Winery Elf EN](https://help.vineyardelf.com/index.md) / [VineyardElf](https://help.vineyardelf.com/vineyardelf.md)

# [SMS and email alerts - pilot](https://help.vineyardelf.com/sms-email-and-whatsapp-alerts-real-time-notifications.md)

> **Sending runs as a pilot.** Elf already sends alerts by SMS and e-mail, but there is no toggle in the module yet - we switch them on for your account on request (elf@vineyardelf.com). Without the pilot you still see the warnings only when you open the module screen.

## What the pilot sends

Once a day in the morning Elf checks the forecast for your vineyard coordinates and the current station
reading. The e-mail goes out **only when there is a reason**:

- **frost** - when the forecast for the next 24 hours reaches the threshold (2 °C during the growing
  season by default, -18 °C in winter dormancy); frost also triggers an SMS,
- **downy mildew** - the 10:10:24 rule: at least 10 mm of rain in a day with a minimum of 10 °C,
- **powdery mildew** - average temperature and humidity over the last 7 days in the range that favours it,
- **silent station** - when the sensors stop reporting for more than an hour.

A spraying window is added to the e-mail as context, but never triggers one on its own - so "all is well"
does not land in your inbox every day. Elf reads the season from the weather (the highest temperature of
the last 7 days), not from the calendar month, so an autumn frost on green leaves raises an alert too,
and a vineyard in the southern hemisphere gets the same thresholds in its own months.

Thresholds are set per account - tell us if your vineyard needs different ones.

## Why do I need alerts?

You do not have to keep checking the app. VineyardElf will send you a notification via SMS, email or **WhatsApp** whenever something important happens:
- A frost is approaching
- Disease risk has increased
- A reporting deadline is coming up
- A sensor stopped working

That is the intended behaviour. Today the risk is calculated, but opening the screen is up to you.

## Daily weather report 🌤️

Every day at **7:00 AM** you receive a summary on WhatsApp:

```
🍇 Pustkowie Vineyard
📅 Friday, Dec 13

🌡️ Today: -2° / 4°C
📆 Tomorrow: -4° / 2°C
💧 Rain tomorrow: 1.5 mm

❄️ WARNING: Frost tonight: -3°C

❄️ Winter dormancy period
💡 Check the covering at the base of the vines

—
VineyardElf 🌿
```

During the growing season the report also includes:
- Disease risk (powdery mildew, botrytis...)
- Current BBCH stage
- Suggested field tasks

## What alerts can I receive?

### Frost alerts ❄️
- **Warning** - "Frost of -2°C forecast in 24h"
- **Alarm** - "Temperature dropped to 1°C!"
- **Protection active** - "Sprinkling activated in the Riesling zone"

### Disease alerts 🦠
- **Rising risk** - "Powdery mildew: risk 65%"
- **Spray window** - "Optimal spraying conditions: today 10:00-14:00"

### Calendar reminders 📅
- **In 30 days** - "Harvest declaration - due in one month"
- **In 7 days** - "Harvest declaration - due in one week"
- **Tomorrow** - "Harvest declaration - due TOMORROW!"
- **Today** - "Harvest declaration - due TODAY!"

### Winery alerts 🍷
- **Temperature too high** - "Tank #3: 22°C (limit 20°C)"
- **Fermentation** - "Tank #1: density stable for 48h"

### System alerts ⚙️
- **No data** - "Weather station has not responded for 2h"
- **Low battery** - "Temperature sensor: replace the battery"

## How do I set up alerts?

### Step 1: Add your contact details

1. Go to **Settings > Alerts**
2. Enter your details:
   - **Email** - for alerts and detailed reports
   - **Phone** - for SMS (format: +48500123456)
   - **WhatsApp** - for messages and daily reports

**Tip:** WhatsApp is the best option - you get full reports for free!

### Step 2: Configure alert types

In **Settings > Alerts** you will find a section for each type:

**Frost:**
- Warning threshold (e.g. 2°C)
- Alarm threshold (e.g. 0°C)
- Channels: email / SMS / WhatsApp

**Diseases:**
- Risk threshold (e.g. 50%)
- Which models trigger alerts
- Notification channels

**Calendar:**
- Reminders for reporting and compliance deadlines
- Enabled by default for email and WhatsApp

### Step 3: Choose your channels

For each alert type, choose:
- **WhatsApp** 💚 - recommended, free, full reports with emoji
- **Email** 📧 - detailed, with charts and links
- **SMS** 📱 - fast, always works, paid

## WhatsApp - how do I set it up?

WhatsApp requires a one-time activation:

1. In **Settings > Alerts** enter your WhatsApp number
2. Send a message to the Twilio Sandbox number (shown in the settings)
3. Once activated, you will start receiving notifications

**Number format:** +48606273429 (with country code)

## Can I set quiet hours at night?

Yes! You do not want to be woken at 3 AM by a powdery mildew risk alert?

1. Go to **Settings > Alerts > Schedule**
2. Set your quiet hours (e.g. 22:00 - 6:00)
3. Choose which alerts are allowed to break the silence (e.g. frost only!)

**IMPORTANT:** Frost alerts ignore quiet hours by default - because frost happens precisely at night!

## How much do notifications cost?

| Channel | Cost |
|---------|------|
| Email | Free |
| WhatsApp | Free |
| SMS | 50/month included, then per price list |

**Recommendation:** Use WhatsApp - you get full reports with emoji for free!

## How do I check my alert history?

Go to **Alerts > History**. You will see:
- All alerts that were sent
- Date and time
- Content
- Delivery status

## What if an alert did not arrive?

1. Check that the number/email is correct
2. Review the status in the alert history
3. Check the SPAM folder (for emails)
4. For WhatsApp: did you activate the number?
5. Verify that quiet hours are not enabled

---

## Related articles

- [Frost protection](/kb/vineyard-elf/ochrona-przed-przymrozkami-automatyczne-zraszanie-c13W2RGp)
- [Disease monitor](/kb/vineyard-elf/monitor-chorob-4-modele-predykcyjne-DzWeasYW)
- [Calendar and deadlines](/kb/vineyard-elf/kalendarz-prac-winiarskich-planowanie-i-dokumentacja-SExVXQLi)
- [Risk Index](/kb/vineyard-elf/risk-index-zagregowany-wskaznik-zagrozen-Gm9oYkqh)