Another harsh winter killing crops - Spokesman.com - Jan. 24, 2013

For much of the Northern Hemisphere, this has been another harsh winter. Bitterly cold temperatures have been felt in parts of California and Arizona over the past few weeks, damaging or killing citrus and vegetable crops. Temperatures in the lower 20s kept farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley fighting to protect about $1.5 billion worth of citrus trees in the region.

Many people in Arizona have lost tropical plants. Some are describing this year’s freezes as the worst ever. Temperatures in the upper 20s in San Diego last week forced zookeepers to offer extra heat and shelter for many animals in order to prevent hypothermia.

Michigan Chronicle - Hypothermia, Frostbite Injuries Treated In Bitter Cold Temps

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Despite the warnings to cover up while outside, this week’s bitter cold has been keeping hospital emergency rooms busy.

Frost damage likely to hamper January tea output- Tea broker | Economy

Sri Lanka’s January tea production will be negatively impacted by frost damage, a scenario caused by extreme temperature fluctuations during a very short period of time, a tea broker in the country said.

Cold snap, far from letting up, raises health concerns in Baltimore - Baltimore Sun

Frigid stretch could be longest in nearly a decade
...
With 11 deaths linked to hypothermia even before the cold snap, this winter has nearly surpassed last year's mild season for cold weather-related deaths.
...
Regardless of snow, cold temperatures have proved deadly this winter even before the current cold snap. The 11 hypothermia-linked deaths were confirmed through Jan. 21. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees, causing vital organs to shut off.

The death toll is nearing that of winter 2011-2012, the sixth-mildest winter on record in Baltimore, when hypothermia was a factor in 15 deaths. An average of about 39 hypothermia-related deaths have occurred over the past four winters, according to the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.