(GREENSBORO) -- North Carolina's crop of strawberries is early this year and has escaped harm from the weather so far. William Wickliffe is a Guilford County Extension agent and said the chance of a freeze Wednesday night into Thursday morning does pose a problem for strawberry farmers in North Carolina.

"Berries that are out there right now are going to be pretty well protected," said Wickliffe. "They won't be hurt as badly.  What we really have to be concerned about are the blooms, the flowers that are out there that turn into the berries."

Wickliffe says although local strawberries seem to be available sooner this year, there are newer varieties that do mature earlier than others.