Winds May Protect Crops From Freezing

As nighttime temperatures dip into the 30s across Ventura County tonight and this weekend, county agriculture officials hope strong winds will protect crops from freezing.

“I don’t think we are going to have a problem,” said county Agricultural Commissioner W. Earl McPhail. “The wind machines will kick on, but we’re not expecting any damage.”

A cold weather system from Alaska combined with gusty winds is creating chilly conditions throughout the county, forecasters said.

Daytime temperatures are expected to remain in the low 60s, while nighttime temperatures drop into the upper 30s in the valleys and into the teens in the mountains, forecasters said.

“It looks like it is going to be windy and cold along most areas,” said Stuart Seto, a forecaster for the National Weather Service. “This is going to continue for a couple of days.”

Strong winds, which are expected to gust between 15 and 25 m.p.h., are expected to protect county crops since air circulation keeps fruit from freezing, forecasters and agricultural experts explained.

“The thing that hurts,” Seto said, “is when the cold air comes in and sits.”