Cold Snap Threatens Central Valley Citrus Crops
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- California citrus growers braced for subfreezing temperatures that threatened to damage crops in the state's Central Valley citrus belt.
A freeze warning that began on Wednesday remained in effect through Friday morning, with the National Weather Service predicting that temperatures could fall as low as 25 degrees in rural areas.
California Citrus Mutual president Joel Nielsen said citrus trees escaped serious damage Thursday when subfreezing temperatures failed to fall far enough to damage fruits.
Citrus damage can occur when temperatures fall to 28 degrees for four hours or longer.
The current cold snap sent temperatures plunging to near-record lows across much of the state.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
