Cold in California, April 10, 1999

Unseasonably cool air led to strong radiational cooling conditions and minor frost episodes on the mornings of April 1st (unofficial report of 29 deg F.), 2nd, and the coolest conditions of these three days occurred on the morning of Easter Sunday, the 4th, in the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. The 3 days early in the month were followed by another relatively cold morning on the 10th. While not all areas dropped to less than freezing, several areas had temperatures in the 28 to 32 degree range for 4 hours, with pockets dropping unofficially as low as 25 deg F. on the west side in Kings and Fresno Counties. Fresno dropped to 33F on the 4th which broke the old record of 35 set in 1901...and dropped to 34F on the 10th. On the other hand, Bakersfield's lowest temperature was 33F on the 10th, with a 35F low on the 4th. In Kings County, Hanford dropped to 33F on the 4th, and 34F on the 10th. This time of year deciduous trees, vineyards, and vegetable crops are quite vulnerable to temperatures less than 30 degrees for any length of time. While damage losses at individual locations varied from only 30 to 60%, the amount of agricultural crop value for the San Joaquin Valley led to a substantial damage figure. All this on the heels of the disastrous December 1998 Freeze (see December Storm-of-the-Month). Damage due to freezing was assessed at Merced $12.0M, Madera $8.5M, and Fresno $88.75M for the Central Valley; and Kings $12.76M and Tulare $9.0M for the Southern San Joaquin Valley.