CALIFORNIA - If you happen to be a Californian citrus grower, this past holiday weekend brought more than just seemingly endless leftovers and door-busting sales. California’s Central Valley welcomed cold weather reaching below 30 degrees; quite a departure from last year’s overly warm temperatures.
According to a press release from California Citrus Mutual (CCM), temperatures in the coldest areas of the Valley dropped to of 27 and 28 degrees for a time. The organization calls these conditions "ideal for this early in the navel season," saying the temperatures improve both the fruit’s color and flavor.
This year’s mandarin crop, which traditionally is less cold tolerant than other citrus varieties, has yet to be damaged by the cold weather, either, reports are showing. However, mandarin growers in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, and Madera counties have reported the use of wind machines on Saturday and Sunday nights to push temperatures up in the groves. A strong inversion layer in many areas also helped to keep temperatures manageable, a CCM press release explains.
A weather report provided by the Weather Advisory Service says the cold weather is here to stay for the Central Valley as well. The Service predicts near freezing minimum temperatures throughout the beginning of December, all the way through December 11th. This could potentially mean good things for the Valley's citrus crop, CCM says.
AndNowUKnow will be continuing coverage of the Central Valley’s citrus crop, so stay tuned for updates.
