Florida's orange groves were already facing problems this year, suffering from a disease condition known as "citrus greening," but now farmers are going to have to battle Mother Nature.
As a massive cold front sweeps through the Midwest, it threatens to dip deep into the Sunshine State and cause massive freeze damage to groves, which would devastate this year's crop and drive all foods containing citrus even higher.
"This is not something you often see. BTW, these are low 20s, low 30s, low 40s. The forecast models have changed since this was posted. 30s will now reach well into The Treasure Coast and parts of Palm Beach County," the Inspiration by John Twitter account noted about the approaching temperatures expected in the state over the next 72 hours around Christmas Eve.
This is not something you often see. BTW, these are low 20s, low 30s, low 40s. The forecast models have changed since this was posted. 30s will now reach well into The Treasure Coast and parts of Palm Beach County. pic.twitter.com/Z9tVbcAfcC
— Inspiration by John ? (@LifeWithJohn) December 19, 2022
"Citrus farmers are certainly hoping for the best. Orange production is way down. Florida had 2 Hurricanes this year, record-breaking heat and drought, and now several days of very frigid weather ahead. N. Florida won't see highs above 40 for 6 days. Lows in 20s for several days," he added.
Citrus farmers are certainly hoping for the best. Orange production is way down. Florida had 2 Hurricanes this year, record-breaking heat and drought, and now several days of very frigid weather ahead. N. Florida won't see highs above 40 for 6 days. Lows in 20s for several days. pic.twitter.com/VpuUk6Y0Hr
— Inspiration by John ? (@LifeWithJohn) December 19, 2022
Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore noted in a tweet containing a weather map animation: "You can see the Arctic front scream through the southeast on the 23rd and the COLD just lock in for days afterward. Protect your pipes even into Florida. Yes those are teens in the panhandle!"
You can see the Arctic front scream through the southeast on the 23rd and the COLD just lock in for days afterward. Protect your pipes even into Florida. Yes those are teens in the panhandle! pic.twitter.com/DThDA3E7xa
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) December 20, 2022
The decimation of Florida's citrus crop has caused shortages for beverage makers, including Minute Maid owner Coca-Cola Co. and PAI Partners, which owns Tropicana. This means orange prices at the supermarket will continue to rise. Orange juice futures are near record highs.
With Disease, hurricanes, and now cold, Florida's citrus industry is going through a historic beatdown by Mother Nature.
"A 'once in a generation' winter storm expected to sweep across the country this week has several states declaring emergencies in preparation," The Daily Wire noted in a Thursday report. "The emergency declarations come as a massive winter storm is expected to cover most of the United States, producing deep snowfalls and dangerously cold temperatures that are expected to cripple holiday travel."
In addition to heavy snow in some parts of the country, many others will experience record-cold temperatures. Wind chills will reach as low as -35 degrees, making this one of the most dangerous storms in recent memory.
“A significant and disruptive storm system is forecast to produce a multitude of weather hazards over the next several days, as heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures span from the Intermountain West through the Plains, the Great Lakes, and the central Appalachians,” the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Md., said in a forecast earlier this week.
“Life Threatening Cold Arrives Late Wednesday,” NWS Boulder wrote on Twitter. “We promise that’s not an exaggeration. This is likely to be the coldest day in 32 years in Denver so many people have not experienced a cold snap like this. We highly recommend avoiding extended periods of being outside.”
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