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Citrus Growers Sweating Extended California Freeze
California citrus growers are sweating a hard freeze that has blanketed the nation's largest fresh-fruit market in the midst of harvest.
Reporter: Associated Press |
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
California citrus growers are sweating a hard freeze that has blanketed the nation's largest fresh-fruit market in the midst of harvest.
The National Weather Service says temperatures dropped to as low as 19 degrees in some regions early Tuesday. It forced orange farmers to fire up wind machines and flood groves with water to keep bitter cold air from settling.
Oranges begin to suffer at about 28 degrees.
Officials with the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner's Office are sampling fruit from the coldest regions looking for signs of freeze damage.
Deputy Commissioner Fred Rinder says officials will examine fruit Friday in affected areas to see if the freezing burst the tiny juice-storing cells inside the oranges that leads to dryness.
The commissioner can withhold damaged fields from the fresh-fruit market.
Promote Your Page Too Greater Wichita Forecast
This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, not as warm and not as windy as the high temperature will be topping out near 84.
Wind: Northwest 8 to 18mph
This Evening: Mostly clear with the 9pm temperature falling to around 77.
Wind: Northeast 7 to 15mph
Overnight: Partly cloudy with the low temperature falling to near 66. There is a very slight chance of a few isolated showers and thunderstorms late.
Wind: East 6 to 14mph
Friday: Mostly cloudy early with skies becoming mostly sunny by afternoon. We will also become breezy and warmer through the afternoon as the high temperature will be topping out around 90.
Wind: Southeast 15 to 25mph
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