<p>Widespread moderate to severe lettuce ice is expected over the next five days in Yuma, Imperial Valley and other desert growing regions due to a series of unseasonably strong cold troughs passing through the deserts. The troughs are predicted to plummet max temperatures to the low to upper 50's and lows in the 20's to mid-30's over the period, according to Terry Snow’s Weather Advisory Service.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">There is also a chance for widespread rain Saturday into Sunday with up to 0.15" possible as well as cooler temperatures and strong gusty winds Dec 17th through the 19th as the first in a series of cold troughs passes also bringing a chance for rain.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Growers tell us that there are concerns on some items that will be affected with freeze damage. The main concern, they tell us, is the slowing of the growing pattern. Ground temps will stay low, hence the growth of the product will slow substantially. Demand has been slow on several items after Thanksgiving, and many shippers have likely cut extra product to stay ahead of freezing weather, we are told, resulting in some larger than normal inventories in the coolers. The product in the ground is being affected by the frost this week and will likely show some quality issues by this weekend and into next week. Crops not ready for harvest for the next couple weeks may also be affected if the freeze is severe enough. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Current crops in the growing regions include lettuce and leaf items as well as cauliflower and broccoli.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep an eye on weather in the region.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
