Record heat could have chilling effect on crops, farmers

EMERYVILLE, Calif. (KGO) -- With this unseasonably warm weather, some trees are producing blossoms and disrupting the natural cycle of things, not to mention doing wonders for your allergies.

Most cherry and plum trees have blossomed, putting out a heavy amount of pollen in the air.

Some people with allergies started taking their medication early this year.

Rochelle Robinson started her annual battle against pollen Monday morning.

"I had to take something this morning because my nose wouldn't stop running and the watery eyes," she said.

Jacob Kahn's allergies are so bad that he had to run to the drug story to buy cough syrup.

"I use it because I've been getting a lot of sickness because my allergies have been irritating my throat and it's really easy for me to get sick," said Kahn.

A very early spring is not ideal for bees either.

While the blossoms are releasing their pollen sooner, any rain could wipe everything off the trees, leaving nothing for the bees, who need to collect the pollen for several months.

"There won't be food for the bees," said Judy Weather.

Weatherly is with the Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association.

Bees aren't the only one affected. Without blooms, the fruits on some trees will never be.

"This hot weather is going to be pumping all these flowers and if there aren't enough bees to be out there to forage and if the rain knocks them off, it could be a problem for the farmers for sure."