Ga. Climatologist Warns of Possible Late Freeze

ATHENS, Georgia – State climatologist David Stooksbury says
unseasonably warm February temperatures could leave Georgia’s fruit
crops vulnerable to severe damage from a late-winter freeze.

Climatologist David Stooksbury says temperatures below 32
degrees could destroy peach and blueberry buds.

Stooksbury says December and January were so cold that many
plants exceeded the chill hours they need, and recent temperatures
in the 60s and 70s could make those plants start budding weeks
earlier than normal.

Stooksbury says Georgia’s peach, blueberry and apple crops were
destroyed in April 2007 when record-breaking cold caused a harsh
freeze right before Easter.