Cold headed for the Central Valley
Cold headed for the Central Valley
A very strong and cold trough of low pressure will drop southward into California's Central Valley late this week and this coming weekend.
The citrus industry in the Central Valley is particularly concerned. Lows Thursday, Jan. 11, will remain close to 30 with clouds and rain and possibly snow showers. The cool and wet conditions will continue into Friday, Jan. 12, with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the mid- to upper 20s Friday night.
Clearing and dry weather is forecast for Saturday, Jan. 13, and Sunday, Jan. 14, with lows of 20-26 degrees and highs in the mid-40's. The bottom line: cold weather is possible during this period, and the potential for damage is much higher than normal.
Ripple effects will assuredly spill into Oxnard, Coachella and Yuma. Oxnard will likely see overnight freezing temperatures Jan. 12-16 with daytime highs in the mid- to upper 50s. Yuma will welcome a daytime high of 74 degrees on Tuesday, Jan. 9, then a sudden and abrupt change will occur. Freezing overnight lows are expected Jan. 13-16 with daytime highs only in the mid- to upper 50s.
Needless to say, another round of lettuce ice, harvest delays and higher prices are looming around the corner.
(Bill Armstrong is a self-employed produce broker who operates Armstrong Marketing in Salinas, CA. His Fresh Directions column appears in the Marketrack section of this web site every Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning. He may be reached at ArmstrongMarketing@comc ast.net
The citrus industry in the Central Valley is particularly concerned. Lows Thursday, Jan. 11, will remain close to 30 with clouds and rain and possibly snow showers. The cool and wet conditions will continue into Friday, Jan. 12, with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the mid- to upper 20s Friday night.
Clearing and dry weather is forecast for Saturday, Jan. 13, and Sunday, Jan. 14, with lows of 20-26 degrees and highs in the mid-40's. The bottom line: cold weather is possible during this period, and the potential for damage is much higher than normal.
Ripple effects will assuredly spill into Oxnard, Coachella and Yuma. Oxnard will likely see overnight freezing temperatures Jan. 12-16 with daytime highs in the mid- to upper 50s. Yuma will welcome a daytime high of 74 degrees on Tuesday, Jan. 9, then a sudden and abrupt change will occur. Freezing overnight lows are expected Jan. 13-16 with daytime highs only in the mid- to upper 50s.
Needless to say, another round of lettuce ice, harvest delays and higher prices are looming around the corner.
(Bill Armstrong is a self-employed produce broker who operates Armstrong Marketing in Salinas, CA. His Fresh Directions column appears in the Marketrack section of this web site every Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning. He may be reached at ArmstrongMarketing@comc ast.net