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Highlands Today

Archbold Records 15 Degrees Wednesday Night

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: January 23, 2009

SEBRING - County officials opened the shelter at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center once again Thursday in anticipation of another drop in temperature into the upper 20s, as forecast by the National Weather Service.

The coldest temperatures overnight Wednesday depended upon the elevations, according to Jennifer Colson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Thursday afternoon.

Ray Royce, executive director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, said Thursday that growers anticipated light to moderate damage to citrus trees due to the freezing temperatures overnight Wednesday.

"It's my hope it won't get as cold tonight as it did last night," he said Thursday.

Low temperatures were measured at 25 degrees in Avon Park, 32 degrees in Sebring, 24 degrees in Venus.

"We had durations in the low to mid-30s which are concerning, but not catastrophic" he said. "There is going to be some leaf damage and possible fruit drop. We'll know more in the coming days and weeks, to see what kind of damage we had."

A bone-chilling 15 degrees was recorded at the Archbold Biological Station, south of Lake Placid. They're in a little valley there, Colson explained.

"We had groves in that general neighborhood that had 18 degrees to the 20s, so that sounds about right," Royce agreed. "More than four or five hours below 28 (degrees) is no good."

Some growers reported some freezing in the juice sacks of cut oranges, Royce said. Others reported finding fruit frozen solid.

Growers who had the ability to do it used their micro-sprinkles for freeze protection, he said.

Friday afternoon temperatures should reach about 70 degrees, Colson said.

Friday into Saturday morning temperatures in Highlands County are expected to drop to about 40 degrees.

The area is also under a red flag warning, meaning conditions are favorable for wildfires. The Division of Forestry is alerted when humidity drops below 35 percent. It was expected to remain in effect for four or more hours, she said.

Mary Foy, Highlands County human services manager, was in charge of opening and closing the cold weather shelter at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, at U.S. 27 and George Boulevard.

She said no one showed up on Tuesday night, but they had four individuals on Wednesday night. The shelter was open again overnight Thursday.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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