Cold Front Hits Hudson Valley, Helicopters Used to Protect Fruit Crops

Cold Front Pushes Through the Hudson Valley

After a stretch of incredible summer like weather across the Hudson Valley, we're talking temps in the high 80s, the cold has returned.

Meteorologist Ben Noll wrote in his weekly newsletter that "even a stray flurry can’t be ruled out in the days ahead as an Alaska-sourced chill arrives in the region." He adds:

Weather swings are normal during spring, but a change of almost 70 degrees in a matter of days is next-level stuff. Especially for your temperature-sensitive plants!

Noll says that more "unseasonably cool air" may head our way in the next week or so and the "summer-like warmth looks like it's a long way away."

Cold Temperatures Threaten Hudson Valley Fruit Crops

As the April chill settled across the Hudson Valley, farmers are doing what they can to save their crops.

The team at Fishkill Farms shared a lengthy explanation about the low temperatures and how they "pose a serious risk" to their fruit trees, but specially the the apple blossoms.

They write:

 At this stage, every degree below 28°F can cause significant damage to the crop, up to complete crop loss in the low 20's.

Other farms like Barton Orchards in Poughquag and Weeds Orchard in Milton both shared similar statements.

To protect their crops, local farmers are calling in some help.

Helicopters Swoop In To Help Local Hudson Valley Farms

If you hear low flying helicopters on the morning on Tuesday April 21st, 2026, in your neighborhood, there's a good chance they were helping your local farmers.

Local farmers are sharing that they are all utilizing similar methods to protect their crops. Fishkill Farms shares they will be using frost mitigation methods that include orchard heaters, and helicopters.

They helicopters help circulate warmer air through the orchard.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weed Orchards & Winery (@weedfamilyorchards)

Weed Family Orchards  also shared with their communities that they will be using the helicopter method as well. Barton Orchards is using a similar method, but not bringing in helicopters. They'll be burning bales of hay and running heavy duty wind machines that sound like helicopters.

Take a look at what it looked like after the overnight burn at Barton below:

Taking a look at the future forecast, it doesn't look like temperatures will dip lower than 40 degrees in the near future.

Did you hear the helicopters around your neighborhood this week?