PERIL FOR THE BLOSSOMS

Tonight's weather advisory has small farmers all over the region deeply worried. If the temperature hits freezing, spring and summer fruits [cherries, peaches and too many others] could be lost for the entire season. From the weather service:

* temperatures...dropping into the mid to upper 20s. even
locations along the coastal strips of new jersey and delaware, and in the highly urbanized metro areas, may see temperatures drop to around 30 degrees.
* impacts...due to an unusually warm winter and early spring, the growing season has begun around the region. any vegetation susceptible to freezing temperatures over a period of three or more hours would be at risk.
* a freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely. these conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.