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Blast From The Arctic Has Put Florida On Ice

Tribune photo by CHRISTINE DELESSIO

A blast of arctic cold air caused frost to form overnight across Pasco County.

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: January 22, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - The cold snap has made it uncomfortable for some to get out of bed or walk to the car, but the weather actually threatens some people's livelihood.

Those who have taken the time to cover their plants and bushes can relate to John Floyd, who runs a citrus nursery on Singletary Road outside Dade City. Floyd has been pulling all-nighters this week to make sure overhead watering systems in his greenhouse keep temperatures high enough for plants to survive.

"It makes it real steamy and cloudy inside," he said. "It traps the heat of the water in there, and we have to keep the temperatures up. We have to stay around because there are three big pumps that run, and we have to make sure they're OK. We have to keep check on all the different valves."

In the groves, plants are watered to form a protective ice barrier that traps heat inside.

"This is our first real hard cold, but everything seems OK," Floyd said Wednesday.

People looking for good weather news on the National Weather Service's Web site Wednesday were met by sobering information, written in capital letters:

"A very cold and dry arctic air mass will remain over the state today and generally remain in place through Friday."

In and around St. Leo, Dade City and Zephyrhills, overnight temperatures Wednesday were expected to be 20 to 25, and it was expected to be about 30 near Hudson and New Port Richey, according to the National Weather Service.

Tonight, temperatures are expected to be in the upper-30s in the St. Leo, Dade City and Zephyrhills areas and up to 45 near New Port Richey and Hudson, according to the weather service.

Highs in the upper-60s are expected Friday, with a low in the upper-30s overnight.

Throughout the cold spell, shelter has been provided at Holy Ground Homeless Shelter, 8835 Denton Ave., Hudson; Impact Family Church, 6416 Delaware Ave., New Port Richey; and Hope Lutheran Church, 12321 Canton Ave., Hudson.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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