DATE:     4/16/01
CONTACT:  Dr. Dale Linvill, (864) 656-4070
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343
  
Cold temperatures on the way
for Wednesday and Thursday
  
     CLEMSON -- Homeowners and strawberry growers can expect plant-
threatening temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday mornings, according
to the Agricultural Weather Office at Clemson University.
     "I expect to see temperature readings in the low 30s each morning,
well below normal for this time of year," said Dale Linvill, Clemson
Extension agricultural meteorologist.
     He expects temperatures in northern counties and in the mountains
to be the coldest with lows in the 31-35 range on Wednesday morning
with a bit of wind. On Thursday morning, lows should be 30-33 in the
same areas.
     Northern coastal plains temperatures are expected to be just above
freezing on both days. Southern coastal plains temperatures will be in
the 35-37 range.
     "The major problem will be ground surface temperatures both
nights," said Linvill. The incoming air will have dewpoints in the
22-26 range. This means that radiational cooling will be working to
drop surface temperatures into this range.
     Linvill advises strawberry growers to have frost protection in
operation. Growers should monitor ground level temperatures and start
protection when surface temperatures are still above freezing.
     "The initial wetting of the plants will shock cool them to near 
28 degrees F when air temperatures are 34 degrees F," he said.
     Homeowners may want to protect other tender plants on both nights
using a simple cover. Soil temperatures are warm enough in newly
planted soil to act as the heat source when a cover is used.
     The time frame for air temperatures below 32 degrees F should 
be no more than 5 to 6 hours either night.
                             END