The continuing onslaught of powerful Pacific storms is producing beneficialrainfall for California's crops."While the rain has caused major flooding and downed power lines in Californiaand Arizona, the precipitation is very good for the region's agriculture," saidAccuWeather.com Agricultural Meteorologist Dale Mohler.
Mohler said deep mountain snow accumulation is necessary because it provides awater source for the crops during the dry California summers.
"The mountain snow will melt during the summer," Mohler said. "The crops needthis secondary water source during dry periods."California is the number one food- and agriculture-producing state in thecountry and has been for over 50 years.
No major crop damage from the recent severe weather in California has beenreported.
The time period for this severe weather is ideal from an agriculturalperspective.
"Planters are currently in an in-between period," said Mohler. "There is notmuch to be harvested and the focus is preparing beds for any winter planting."A mid-December freeze impacted California citrus but was combated byhelicopters and wind machines that increased air circulation around the groves.
Crop damage from this freeze has yet to be assessed.
Parts of Texas and the Southeast weren't so lucky when an early January freezegreatly impacted crops.
The Florida Agriculture Commission reported last week that 30 percent ofFlorida crops could have been lost from the cold snap.
Story by AccuWeather.com's Carly Porter.
