Don't plant tomatoes yet; cold nights coming

Yes, Virginia, it's warm, and the birds are singing. No, Virginia, it's not time to plant the tomatoes.

In the greater Reno-Carson City area, temperatures matched but did not exceed the 1987 record of 84 degrees for April 27.

In the valleys, freezes are still common, said Chris Jordan, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

"A strong ridge of high pressure warmed things up quite a bit," he said Tuesday. "But we had our last freeze Saturday in Carson City so we've had only three nights without freezing temperatures."

High temperatures created a few clouds around the area, resulting in thunderstorm activity, Jordan said.

"Tuesday we had one or two, but that should be it for a while," he said.

Today should be windy and temperatures are expected to slide to between 65 and 75 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

"But we'll see a quick recovery," Jordan said. "Temperatures should start rising again on Thursday and be back in the 80s Friday and Saturday."

For the next few days, lows are expected to hover around the mid-30s to high 40s, with highs ranging between 65 and 85 degrees.

Despite those chilly nights, a lot of cool-season vegetables, including potatoes and onions, can be planted without worrying about frosts, said Wendy Hanson, Master Gardener with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service.

"A lot of people plant cool-season vegetables in March and April," she said. "Peas, carrots, beets and lettuce don't need protection, even if temperatures get down to freezing."

She said a lot of people like to get a head start on temperature-sensitive tomatoes and peppers.

"If people want to try it, I'd recommend they go ahead," she "But they have to watch the temperatures and be sure protection is available if temperatures drop."

Contact Susie Vasquez at svasquez@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.