Stone fruit trees in the Central Valley of California have been in bloom for over a month now. Early varieties came into bloom a month ago with above average warm weather. Later blooming varieties are in bloom now. Warm weather in the first half of February gave way to much cooler weather in the last part of the month. Night time temperatures in the low twenty degree range in some areas have caused damage to the bloom. Almond acreage has been affected as well. It is thought that four hundred million pounds of potential almond production may already be lost for this year. Peach trees in the north and central part of the valley have been affected also. This will reduce production, but it is unclear as of now how much will be lost. Cold temperatures at night are still possible this week in some places in the valley.
