Update: NWS Freeze Warning

Extreme cold temperatures are forecasted for Monday and Tuesday evenings (March 26 and 27, 2012) that could seriously affect fruit, vegetable, and floriculture crops in bloom or near bloom around the state. Therefore, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has authorized the following procedure for open burning and/or the use of smudge pots for Monday and Tuesday to help farmers protect their crops.

Procedures for Open Burning and the Use of Smudge Pots Pertaining to New Jersey Fruit, Vegetables and Floriculture.

National Weather Service Freeze Warning Tonight

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOUNT HOLLY HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM EDT TUESDAY

• 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.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

The National Weather Service is predicting freezing weather across the state this evening.
I have spoken with personnel at NJDA, who are in contact with NJDEP Commissioner Martin, to seek approval for open burning for freeze protection on farms.
I will share information as it becomes available.
-Dan Kluchinski