FRESNO (AP) — Citrus growers in California’s Central Valley appeared to have escaped with little or no crop damage after a series of unusually cold nights.
Then the National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for midnight to 9 a.m. today for the central and southern San Joaquin Valley.
It is unclear whether growers will dodge harm again on this latest of a string of freezing nights in which temperatures are believed to have dipped to 26 degrees in some areas. Prolonged temperatures in the mid-20’s can damage citrus crops.
Citrus Mutual's Paul Story said Wednesday that growers ran wind machines and water to protect crops. The coldest temperatures were also recorded outside prime citrus-growing areas.