Winter returns with hard freeze that could pose problems for farmers and gardeners

Except for a cold snap in early January, folks may have wondered what happened to winter.

March began with a high of 82 degrees in Macon, but the mercury is forecast to plunge into the mid-20s later this week.

“That might be our winter,” said Georgia’s climatologist Bill Murphey, who predicted winter’s last gasp as he evaluated the 2016-2017 meteorological winter a couple of weeks ago.

Folks broke out the heavy coats and sweaters Monday as thick clouds shrouded the sun and the morning low dropped into the upper 30s.

Tuesday’s low will be about the same, but it will feel much cooler as winds gust to 25 mph.

The high will reach near 56 degrees, but those northwest winds will funnel even colder air into Georgia.

Wednesday morning’s low drops to 28 and warms to only the upper 40s with gusts of 20 mph making it feel much chillier.

Thursday morning’s low could tie or break the record of 26 degrees, but with much calmer winds.

Thursday’s high could hit 56 degrees before one more freezing morning Friday with a projected low of 31 in Macon.

With recent warm temperatures, there is a lot of new growth in home landscapes and gardens.

“That young, tender growth is subject to be injured in the cold,” said Jeff Cook, Peach County’s UGA extension coordinator for agriculture and national resources.

Leafy greens like spinach, collards and cabbage could see some damage, but the plants will survive, Cook said.

“It would be better if we hover around 30 degrees,” he said. “I’m hoping (forecasters) are off a couple of degrees.”

The return to winter is too late for this year’s peach crop that failed to receive enough chill hours in the milder winter to support a bumper crop, and it will hurt the smaller trees already in bloom, he said.

The warmer temperatures led to an early season at Elliott Farms in Lizella where families already were picking strawberries over the weekend.

Any new blooms are in jeopardy.

“Those will have to be protected with throw covers,” Cook said.

Topography plays a role in frost and freeze damage since cold air sinks. Plants on the top of a hill will fare better than those below, he said.

When it comes to Macon’s signature cherry blossoms, the cold snap could help the trees bloom right on time for the Cherry Blossom Festival that runs March 24 through April 2.

Bill Fickling III, whose grandfather began sharing yoshino cherry clippings with the community decades ago, says he believes the trees are waiting for their final jolt of cold.

The trees are similar to peaches in needing chill hours to help set the blooms, he said.

“The cherry blossoms are waiting to see if winter is really over,” Fickling said. “After the cold snap, they’ll come right out in time for the festival.”

Temperatures rebound to the mid-60s Friday afternoon before a slight chance of showers into Saturday.

Weekend highs will be near 70 with lows in the mid-40s.

At Fickling’s home, most of the tree buds are still tight, but he expects them to rapidly pop open once it warms up.

The erratic weather could bring a progression of yoshino blooms instead of buds popping out all at the same time.

In a gradual bloom, leaves are already out before the rest of the blooms open.

Although Fickling’s research shows March 23 to be the average peak bloom, the blossoms don’t always cooperate with the timing of the festival.

In recent years, the festival board opted to push the dates into April to have a better chance of blooms and warmer weather.

“I think it’s going to work out,” Fickling said.

This story was originally published March 13, 2017 at 6:33 AM with the headline "Winter returns with hard freeze that could pose problems for farmers and gardeners."