A late cold front is bringing subfreezing temperatures to Midwestern states in the US. This is causing worries about damage to apples, peaches, grapes, strawberries and other fruit, according to the Sikeston Standard Democrat.
Highs were in the 40s on Monday, and even colder temperatures are on the way. According to The National Weather Service, freeze warnings were issued for six states: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.
Temperatures in the upper 20s are expected at night in parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. These low temperature conditions could damage peach, apple, and grape crops.
"We'll be close to record lows," National Weather Service Meteorologist Jayson Gosselin said.
Temperatures are expected to be back to normal by midweek, but all it takes to damage crops is a few hours of temperatures below freezing.
Due to the brutal winter this year in the Midwest, many fruit trees haven't yet bloomed. They may escape damage for this reason.
A mid-April freeze back in 2007 caused a similar situation. "It was devastating in 2007 because the fruit crops were well advanced," said Patrick Byers, a horticulture specialist for the University of Missouri Extension Service. "This freeze will be a problem but it won't be as devastating for apple growers, blueberry growers, blackberry and raspberry growers."
Grapes are not as far along as other fruit, but experts warn the cold could still damage the young developing buds.
How much damage will this late freeze cause? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this story as more details about the impact become available.
