Rain will replace cold

Much needed rain is expected to arrive tonight, but citrus growers had to endure one more night of cold last night.

So far, the 2011-12 weather year will go down as one of the coldest and costliest on record.

According to Bob Blakely, California Citrus Mutual Director of Industry Relations, citrus growers in the Central Valley have spent more than $90 million protecting their crop this winter. Monday night was one of the most costly.

Local grower John Corkins said his crew ran wind machines and water in groves for nine hours Monday night, the longest duration so far this winter. “That’s expensive,” he said.

As forecast, temperatures throughout the greater San Joaquin Valley dropped into the 20s last night, reported Citrus Mutual on Tuesday. Fresno and Madera North saw the lowest temperatures, with some areas of Madera Country reporting a low of 19 degrees. Corkins said it is likely some growers suffered losses, but the extent of the damage won’t be known for a couple of days, possibly weeks.

Temperatures in Tulare County from Orosi to Ducor were very manageable, with lows in the mid- to upper-20s in most areas. The further south you went the warmer it was.

“We did fine here. We were 27,” said Corkins of his groves south of Porterville.

Blakley said the fruit, especially navel oranges, can sustain a little more cold right now thanks to all the cold nights so far.

“The fruit is much harder. The cold we had in December has hardened the fruit and trees.”
Still, cold temps bring concern because approximately 80 percent of the $400 million navel orange crop remains on the trees.

Specifically, the outer row edges generally see the most fruit loss due to cold temperatures and greater distances from the wind machines. Temperatures within the interior of the groves tend to increase, thus less fruit damage occurs.

The cold this season has been unusual not only for how many days of freezing temps that have occurred, but also because it has been spotty. Where it has been dangerously cold in some areas, others barely dipped below 32 degrees on the same night.

“It’s been really pockety,” said Corkins, adding that is good because it has not been widespread.

Rain on the Way

Clouds should begin moving into the area tonight and there is a slight chance of showers late Thursday night, said meteorologist Jim Dudley with the National Weather Service office in Hanford.

“Wednesday will be warmer with some clouds moving in advance of three frontal systems coming into the area,” Dudley said, adding the first system will arrive Thursday with a slight chance of rain, the second system Friday with a 30% chance of rain then the third system.

“Things get better. Friday night there’s a 60% chance of rain,” Dudley said.

The grand finale will be on Sunday, with the strongest storm of the three and a 70% chance of rain.

The rain is significant with the seasonal total at just 2.40 inches of rain so far this year.

Average rainfall by now is more than 4 inches. Last year by now, rainfall was more than 10 inches.

“We’re going to get a good round of rain,” said Dudley, adding the total from the three storms will range from half an inch to one and half inches, with most of coming in the final storm

By Monday, it begins to clear with the remainder of next week looking dry.