The Nation - News from March 24, 1986

A cold snap that broke temperature records in 20 cities in the Southeast ended and peach growers began assessing crop damage. Optimism prevailed, but one grower warned that another freeze could wipe him out. Temperatures warmed to the 60s throughout the Southeast and even reached the 70s in southern Florida as a blast of Canadian cold air moved eastward out of the region, meteorologist Pete Reynolds said. Temperatures had dipped into the teens Friday and Saturday night, but many peach growers agreed it was too soon to tell if there was any major damage. Record lows were set in seven states from New Jersey to Florida.