Record Warm Winter Devastates Southern California Cherry Harvest
Record Warm Winter Devastates Southern California Cherry Harvest
US · Published May 19, 2026
Southern California's cherry harvest has been severely impacted by an unusually warm winter, with average temperatures from October to March being 4°F (2.2°C) above the 30-year average.
This marks the warmest winter in 131 years for Los Angeles County.
The lack of sufficient 'chill hours'—cold temperatures required for cherry trees to bear fruit—has resulted in no cherries being produced at Villa del Sol Sweet Cherry Farms in Leona Valley for the first time in 23 years.

Why It's Important?

The absence of a cherry harvest has economic implications for orchard owners and the local tourism industry, which relies on U-pick cherry events. Families who traditionally visit these orchards for seasonal activities will also be affected. The broader agricultural sector in California is facing challenges, as the warmest March on record and subsequent April rains have reduced cherry yields statewide.

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