CENTRAL FLORIDA,None — Temperatures plummeted to freezing in parts of Central Florida overnight and into Wednesday and residents and citrus growers are preparing for another night of cold weather.
Central Florida is expected to see higher temperatures Wednesday before plummeting again during the night.
According to WFTV Certified Meteorologist Brian Shields, Wednesday's high will reach 59 degrees with winds five to 10 mph. Shields said to expect widespread frost Wednesday night, with most temperatures in the 30s (5-Day Forecast).
It seems that citrus growers have been able to dodge a bullet, for now. Even though temperatures dipped below the freezing mark, growers in Clermont at Showcase of Citrus along US- 27 were able to protect the crops from the cold.
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The temperature plummeted to below 30 degrees Wednesday morning in some parts of Central Florida and some ice formed the smaller trees, but it still wasn't cold enough to do any damage.
The 700 acres of fruit seems to be doing just fine. No frost has been found and Owner John Arnold said that's because there was not enough moisture in the air.
The recent warm weather prevented the trees from becoming dormant.
Arnold said he’s using an irrigation system in an effort to protect the trees. When the temperature starts to drop he sprays down the trees, which creates a thin layer of ice that will actually protect the fruit.
"We'd like to see some cold weather to slow that down, but not cold enough to impact the trees' ability to set a nice crop in the spring of the year," said Arnold.
The cold temperature actually makes the fruit sweeter, which is good news for Florida.
WFTV found out nearly 76,000 people depend on the $9 billion citrus industry, affecting more than half a million acres across the state.
Fern growers in Volusia County are also working to protect their crops from the cold. Many growers are using their sprinklers again Wednesday morning.
The growers are working hard to save their crops before the profitable flower buying season that includes Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
But colder weather and frost warnings are still ahead for Wednesday night, and damage is still possible.
Shields said warmer weather will head in starting Thursday.
WFTV
