Florida Orange Growers Brace for Possible Killing Freeze

The Wall Street Journal ^ | JANUARY 9, 2010, 3:28 P.M. ET | Tom Sellen

[justa-hairyape]

Florida orange growers are bracing for possible crop damage as an arctic blast plunges temperatures to record lows Saturday and Sunday nights.

Sleet and snow mixed with rain has been reported Saturday from the Tampa Bay area to near and north of Orlando, the first time snow or sleet has occurred in west-central Florida since Jan. 8, 1996, the National Weather Service in Tampa said.

The immediate Tampa Bay area hasn't seen snow since Dec. 23, 1989.

While citrus growers fared well on Friday night as temperatures remained above critical levels in the heart of the citrus belt, worries are intensifying as a strong high pressure system bears down on the area.

The NWS has issued a freeze warning for much of central and southern Florida from 9 p.m. EST Saturday to 9 a.m. EST on Sunday, meaning temperatures are expected to dip from 27 F to 32 F for three or more hours over a widespread area.

Citrus sustains damage when the mercury falls below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for three or more hours.

"We will undoubtedly suffer some damage to this season's crop tomorrow [Sunday] a.m. and again on Monday a.m.," said Fran Becker, president of Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual and vice president of fruit procurement for Peace River Citrus Products Inc. in Arcadia, Fla.

[justa-hairyape]

No problem. Been trying to figure out why when I moved from Michigan to the coast of So Cal, Huntington Beach, why the humidity reported here seemed way off compared to back in Michigan. Recently been living between the coast and the inland deserts. We are dry here when the Santa Anas blow and wet when there is a system moving in from the coast. At any rate just so you can get a laugh. One spot of snow in Florida on the new map today.

[jslade]

The fish are starting to float up in Tampa Bay..Snook and Grouper, big ones. They are laying belly up and barely moving.

You need to make a freezer run. Yummy fish.

[3boysdad]

Cool map. It actually looks like we’ve had more snow so far here in Laramie this season compared to where I used to live in Michigan. I would have never guessed that because all I remember is shoveling snow every day, twice a day, for 3 months straight.

What do you mean the humidity reported seems way off compared to Michigan? Is it higher?

[devolve]

- thanks potlatch -

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN NC



It's cold up here!

[potlatch]

I was just leaving for bed - early - to read as the forum’s slow.

I had saved and uploaded all of those NC pictures for you and remembered this one when you mentioned it.

Beautiful scene.
Below freezing here already tonight.