Coldest Calif Spell in 50 Years--Not
Hey Sudsmaster,
This cold snap that appears to have finally subsided today in California was not the worst in 50 years, at least not in the Bay Area or LA. I don't know how long you've lived in the Bay Area, but having lived here nearly all of my 52 years, the worst I have ever experienced and the only time my pipes ever froze was back in December of 1990. It was down to 23 overnight where I live near Los Gatos and didn't get above the mid 30's all day. I am pretty sure that a little research will show the temps on days just before Xmas of 1990 set some record lows that have not been broken since. Early December of 1972 was bad too, but nothing like 1990.
Still, this latest freeze has managed to slime or crisp up most of the tropical & subtropical plants in my landscape but my citrus have survived. I have a giant and prolific 15' gumball of a kumquat tree (supposedly the hardiest of the citrus) that had every leaf turn white in 1990 and froze back to a few woody 6' stubs. It recovered back to giant size quickly and it's been completely unaffected by this latest cold snap. Using that tree as a guage, as well as the fact that my pipes didn't freeze, I can confidently say it didn't get as cold this time around.
The trouble with the weather reporters, especially those on TV news, is that this area's weather is so boring for them that they feel the need to hype up everything. They predict the storm of the century and we get some sprinkles. They give out freeze warnings when there are really only a few parts of the Bay Area that should expect a bad freeze. It's always the end of the world with any weather event, and I've learned not to take any of them seriously anymore. I can tell what's really going to happen by stepping outside or looking out my window or at the satellite view. For all of their computer models and slick graphics, the TV weather people are more a source of amusement than accurate information anymore.
Now if we can just get some rain. I'm beginning to worry.
Ralph