The Chilean authorities are urging producers in central regions to take precautions following a warning from the meteorological office that temperatures are set to plummet over the weekend.
A cold front coupled with clear skies could bring freezing conditions anywhere between Region IV (Coquimbo) and Region VIII (Biobío), the weather office said.
Producers have been advised to take preventative action to reduce the risk of damage to crops, with stonefruit, citrus and avocado plantings among those most at risk. UNEA, the body responsible for agricultural and climatic emergencies, said with trees now in their reproductive stage they are more sensitive to frost damage. Stonefruit trees, in particular, can sustain damage once temperatures fall below 0.5oC.
