AWIS 14-day Weather Discussion
Dear all,
Our region experienced a freeze/frost event from Wednesday to Friday. This event came with partly high wind gusts, especially on Thursday, and has left many in disarray whether or not to cover their plants, risking either injury through a row-cover that is constantly moving in the wind, or damage to blossoms due to the cold temperatures. Especially operations in the piedmont and further west experienced cold temperatures and probably risked to cover up, while in the Southeast, most growers did not cover and hoped for the best.Assess the Damage
Wind and frost damage look very different on your plant and should be assessed in the coming days: Wind damage can lead to necrotic areas on leaves, stems and flower stems, while cold injury on an open blossom results in a necrotic receptacle. Please use the NC State Strawberry Diagnostic Key to identify potential damage.
Forecast: No Frost Risk for the Next 2 Weeks, But Some Rain In the Forecast
A strong Southern stream upper level disturbance will spread clusters of showers and locally strong to severe storms across the region late Friday night through early Sunday morning. Heaviest rains are likely from Georgia to Southern North Carolina where totals of 1-3 inches and locally heavier are likely. Further to the North across the Mid-Atlantic region, lessor rain totals are anticipated. There is no deep cold air connection with this Southern Stream system, that would allow cold air to penetrate much further south than the Northeastern areas of the USA early next week. Thus, for most areas, temperatures will warm back to near and above normal levels late in the weekend through next week. Dry weather will be the rule from Sunday through the middle of next week. Next rain chances will come late next week. Given there are not any foreseen future cold weather threats through the first week of May, this should end the spring freeze threat for this season in most areas in NC and GA. We will keep you updated until end of strawberry season.Hourly Forecast
(provided by AWIS Weather Services)North Carolina:
