The citrus crop is small in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley. However, citrus orchards can be found in the foothills and along Interstate 5.
UC Merced farm advisor Maxwell Norton says those orchards will be more protected because of an inverted layer of air.
"Actually a little bit warmer when you gain a little bit of altitude above the valley floor," he says.
Norton says other orchard crops such as almonds, pears, and apples will benefit from the cold.
"Yes our deciduous tree fruit and nuts need cold hours in order to have a strong bloom and a good set in the springtime," he explains.
Almonds, cherries, and walnuts are among the major crops in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.
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