From monkeys to surfers, San Diego braces for cold

San Diego, Jan 21  : Strawberry growers covered their crops while San Diego zookeepers turned on heaters for the chimpanzees as Southern California braced for a cold snap that was expected to drop temperatures to a six-year low.

Forecasters warned that a low pressure trough sinking over San Diego County and parts of neighboring Orange County could keep nightly temperatures below freezing in coastal areas, the low deserts and inland valleys, threatening orange, avocado orchards and other sensitive plants. The coldest nights were expected to hit.

Farmers were prepared to pull out giant fans to circulate the frosty air and keep it from settling on their citrus trees, said Eric Larson of the San Diego County Farm Bureau. Other growers were placing soft cloth over their strawberries and flowers. The National Weather Service predicted overnight lows in the 20s in the lower deserts and inland valleys and 30s along the coast.

"These guys are going to be up all night watching thermometers," Larson said.

Freezing temperatures weren't the only weather challenge for a region boasting one of the planet's most temperate climates.

Forecasters say a combination of astronomical high tides, high surf and strong winds will bring minor flooding to low-lying areas of the Southern California coast. The weather service issued coastal flood advisories for all counties from San Luis Obispo south to San Diego.

They also warned motorists to watch out for blowing sand across coastal highways and snow in the mountains down to 2,000 feet. Snow briefly closed the Grapevine section of Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles. Several accidents and spinouts were reported in the mountain pass as the winter weather bore down on Southern California.

Winds could gust to 60 mph there and up to 45 mph in valleys and coastal areas. Highs will only hit the 50s and 60s and rain showers are expected throughout the region.

Families pushed aside boogie boards and pulled out sleds as snow fell in the mountains of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Chains were required on all vehicles.

Workers at SeaWorld planned to crank up the heat for their macaws, toucans and parrots. San Diego zookeepers were also heating rooms for chimpanzees, apes and other tropical animals.

"They'll probably be huddling together and not be in areas where people will be able to see them," said zoo spokeswoman Christina Simmons.

Many local residents planned to do the same.

"We'll have to huddle up, drink coffee, and tell stories," joked J.P. Pierre, owner of Surfy Surfy Surf Shop in the beach town of Leucadia. "But there's a no whining rule around here because I have so many friends from the northeast and Canada. If everyone had a decent jacket it would be no big deal, but everyone is walking around in flip flops."

The so-called king tides will peak around 7 feet, depending on location. The conditions may cause some flooding across beaches, parking lots and around estuaries, lagoons and harbors. Parts of Pacific Coast Highway between Sunset Beach and Seal Beach could see standing water.

San Diego's Mission Beach was nearly empty except for a few snowbirds who scoffed at a cold snap that seemed downright balmy to them. Some shot pictures of the wind-swept waves.

"We're from Chicago so to us this is like a heat wave," said Rod Erdohaty, 54, walking to the beach in blustering wind.

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