Frost/Freeze — De Soto, Florida

2009-01-22 · De Soto, Florida

Wider weather episode

An arctic air mass moved over the area behind a strong cold front and caused some record-breaking cold temperatures across the area. Freezing temperatures occurred for three straight mornings, with the first night being an advective freeze, and the second and third nights being radiational freezes. Temperatures in the 20s were felt as far south as Charlotte County and durations of sub-freezing temperatures were for several hours each night.

Damage to crops varied widely depending on if fields had freeze protection equipment. Strawberries and blueberries fared well if they had freeze protection. Citrus growers had significant leaf loss, varying extents of wood damage, some fruit loss, and reduction of yield due to internal damage. Many ranch pastures were severely frosted and producers have had to rely on hay. No monetary values were available as of March.

Levy County: The cooperative observer near Chiefland was below freezing for 14 hours and reached 19 degrees.

Citrus County: The cooperative station near Inverness recorded a low of 20 degrees.

Sumter County: The cooperative observer near Bushnell recorded a low of 19 degrees while The Villages recorded a low of 27 degrees.

Hernando County: The FAWN station near Brooksvill recorded a low of 16 degrees while the cooperative observer near Brooksville on Chin Hill recorded a low of 30 degrees.

Pasco County: The cooperative observer at Saint Leo College recorded a low of 28 degrees.

Hillsborough County: The low at Vandenburg Airport was 24 degrees.

Polk County: The cooperative observer near Lake Wales recorded a low of 25 degrees.

Manatee County: The cooperative observer near Fort Green recorded a low of 23 degrees and was below freezing for 10 hours.

Hardee County: The Ona FAWN station recorded a low temperature of 25 degrees.

Highlands County: The low temperature in Archbold was 22 degrees.

Sarasota County: The FAWN station near North Port recorded a low temperature of 28 degrees.

Desoto County: The FAWN station near Arcadia recorded a low of 25 degrees.

Charlotte County: The ASOS in Punta Gorda recorded freezing temperatures for six hours with a low of 26 degrees.

Lee County: The ASOS at the Regional Southwest International Airport recorded a low temperature of 31 degrees.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 150843. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.