US: Cold snap threatens Arizona citrus

This week? s cold temperatures are putting Arizona's citrus crop at risk. With temperatures in the low 30s early Wednesday, the citrus crop is at the threshold of freezing. "These oranges will freeze if the temperature hits 27 degrees or below for more than four hours," said J.D. Cronk, a veteran citrus grower at Citrus Heights Farms. If the crop freezes, Citrus Heights Farms will have to shut down. "That will really hurt us," said Cronk. Cronk sells oranges in a small store in Mesa, but also supplies independent venders across the country. Many of the citrus growers in Mesa sell their crop to companies like Sunkist. If the crop freezes and dies, prices will likely increase for consumers across the country.