Growers dodge another cold night

A cloud cover that produced rain in some parts of Tulare County kept temperatures in the safe range for citrus growers Friday night.

California Citrus Mutual reported a thick cloud cover over much of the San Joaquin Valley provided some respite in the current freeze event, keeping temperatures in the upper-20s and low 30s.

Citus is at risk if temperatures in the groves drop below 28 degrees for more than fur hours, although growers say the navel crop is more mature this time of year and could withstand lower temperatures. The mandarin crop is more at risk.

Lows Friday night into Saturday ranged from 26.8 degrees in Ducor to well above 30 degrees in most areas.

However, growers are not out of the woods yet. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 20s through that entire area tonight and Sunday, with the cloud cover that has kept temperatures up the past three nights expected to be gone.

Tonight is now anticipated to be the coldest of the five- to six-day freeze. “Once again, we can expect growers to be preparing today by running water and turning wind machines on early this evening,” reported CCM.

Growers are expected to run water and wind machines tonight and if conditions are favorable, can raise the temperatures in groves 3 to 4 degrees.