A historic winter storm brought record snowfall to the US Southeast, with minimal damage reported in the agricultural belt as the region prepares for the spring growing season. The storm system delivered 8 inches of snow in New Orleans and nearly double-digit amounts in Pensacola, coinciding with the offseason for most crops, thus limiting potential losses.
The moisture from the storm may have benefited some farmers by providing much-needed precipitation to areas experiencing drought. Crops such as blueberries and peaches could see improved quality, as temporary cold snaps are known to enhance harvests. This is referred to as a "chilling requirement," requiring 400 to 1,000 hours of temperatures between 32 °F and 45 °F. Recent winters have been too warm for these crops, but recent cold snaps may lead to better-quality fruit this season.
In regions with snowfall, the snow acts as an insulator, protecting crops from cold air damage. In Louisiana, crawfish, an important commodity, were largely unaffected. Todd Fontenot of the LSU AgCenter noted, "We don't foresee it being more than a temporary slowdown." He explained that crawfish burrow into mud and vegetation to protect themselves from the elements. With temperatures quickly rebounding to the 60s and 70s, long-term effects on the crawfish harvest are unlikely. Fontenot added, "I think we're going to rebound faster than previous years where it might have stayed in the 40s the week following a hard freeze."
Experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture advise farmers to report any damage within 72 hours for insurance claims. The storm, typical of La Niña events, contained enough warm air and tracked north of major strawberry and citrus regions in Florida, which have been recovering from past hurricane impacts.
While the storm caused travel disruptions, it might ultimately benefit the region if a dry spell occurs later in the season. Reports indicated 5" to 12" of snowfall around Pensacola, leading to a 70-mile stretch of Interstate 10 being closed.
Source: Fox Weather