By Clint Thompson
Unpredictability is a common theme Southeast specialty crop growers are feeling this winter with regards to temperature fluctuations.
It was warmer than usual in December. It’s been extremely cold in January. What does the future hold?
Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, provides a forecast for what producers can expect in the foreseeable future.
“The forecast that the Climate Prediction Center is putting out is still sticking with a typical La Niña forecast, which is warmer and drier than usual. If you look at the short-term forecast, at least it looks to me like we’re probably going to continue to see this up and down (pattern) at least for the next few weeks,” Knox said. “We’ll have some periods that will be relatively warm. But there’s going to be other periods that are going to be cold.”
Temperatures were cooler last week, but above-average temperatures are projected for the end of February. According to weather.com, temperatures in Tifton, Georgia are expected to reach as high as 79 degrees Fahrenheit (F) on Thursday and 74 F in Auburn, Alabama.
Still, additional frost events are not out of the question, either.
“There’s definitely going to be variations, but it would not surprise me if we see more frost, just because when you’re in this accentuated pattern you get these warm days but you also get some cold outbreaks that could bring frost to parts of the area,” Knox said.
Temperatures will drop to a low of 38 F in Auburn next weekend.
