BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 The Central Valley is the number one food producer in the nation \u2014 so what does weeks of tule fog mean for local farmers and their harvest?<\/p>\n
Tule fog has lingered over the Central Valley for weeks. NASA satellites show the fog stretching hundreds of miles, blanketing farmland from north to south. And while the fog can be an inconvenience to some, for farmers \u2014 it\u2019s good news.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is more ideal. We\u2019d like to have it this way every year, but weather changes, and we take whatever we can get here in the valley. This is ideal. This is perfect.\u201d Jay Kroeker said.<\/p>\n
Jay Kroeker is a partner with Starrh Family Farms, a business that has been growing crops for over 100 years. They produce almonds, pistachios, carrots, onions, and wheat.<\/p>\n
On his property, deciduous trees \u2014 those that go dormant in winter \u2014 benefit from the long-lasting fog, which helps provide necessary chill hours and protects crops from frost. \u201cDeciduous trees in general need a certain amount of chill hours, and the fog has been really good for that. These particular temperatures have been exceptional to collect enough chill hours.\u201d He said. <\/p>\n
The persistent fog is the result of a wet autumn, which left soils saturated, combined with a stable high-pressure system that trapped cool, moist air near the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cIdeally, it\u2019s good to get about 600 to 900 hours under 45 degrees, and we\u2019ve been getting that consistently all day and all night. These hours are more ideal \u2014 not only do you collect your accumulated hours earlier and faster, but you get them earlier in the season.\u201d Kroeker said.<\/p>\n
NASA says research confirms foggy days can benefit fruit and nut trees across the Central Valley.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s still unclear how long the tule fog will last, but one thing is sure \u2014 it can help keep crops cool and moist. <\/p>\n
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