IRVINE, CA - Good morning, AndNowUKnow readers!

Today, I am bringing you some of the category and weather news from around the industry. Check back twice weekly to see where the rain is falling, the sun is shining, and everything in between.

72 Hours of Rain in Coastal California Growing Regions

The weekend storms in California did bring the anticipated rainfall amounts we talked about last Friday. The rain started last Friday evening and was off and on all weekend through yesterday afternoon. The heaviest rains occurred on Saturday. Overall, Oxnard received over 3” of rain from these latest storms. This is a main region for strawberries right now along with celery, cabbage, and other winter veg. Santa Maria received 2.5” through yesterday. Santa Maria is currently producing broccoli, cauliflower, and other winter veg items. Look for supplies on all commodities out of these regions to see effects from these rains. It might be several days before they can get back in the fields to pick.

Fillmore/Santa Paula, California, which is one of the main growing regions for avocados in California, received just over 6” of total rain from these storms. With the upcoming California season starting later this spring, I would hope this rain would be beneficial to the crop. Maybe less stress on the trees?

Right now there is a 40 percent chance for another storm to hit California this upcoming Saturday and another chance for a storm on Wednesday, Feb 13. We will update any changes on Friday.

Coldest Temps of the Winter Coming to California This Week

Behind this latest storm, a blast of cold air is coming. Tonight and tomorrow night will be the coldest nights of the week with minimum temps dropping down to 34° for Santa Maria and 37° for Oxnard.

In the San Joaquin Valley, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued frost and freeze warnings for early Wednesday and Thursday mornings. For the region of the valley between Bakersfield and Fresno, the NWS is anticipating temperatures to dip down below freezing with isolated pockets getting down into the high 20°s for several hours. Please check with shippers of citrus to see if they will be affected.

These latest storms continue to bring snow to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and that is only more beneficial to summer irrigation supplies in the San Joaquin Valley. I wouldn’t expect any restrictions on plantings this summer due to water issues.

FLORIDA

The Sunshine State is finally living up to its moniker. Florida’s weather is finally back on track, so expect production to pick up over the next 10 days. All current growing locations can expect maximum temps in the mid 80°s and minimum temps in the mid 60°s. There is no rain on the immediate forecast. There is a slight possibility for rain on Wednesday, Feb 13. We will keep you updated.

CULIACÁN – Winter Veg

Weather in Culiacán is beginning to warm up with maximum temps reaching up to 90°. The minimum temps will remain in the mid 50°s. Thursday night will be the coolest night of the week at 51° but will be back to 57° by next Saturday. The highest max temp will be Monday, Feb 11, when it will reach 92°. Look for production to remain strong from this region of Mexico with good supplies in Nogales and McAllen on bells, cukes, tomatoes, etc.

CENTRAL MEXICO – Berries and Veg

The states of Michoacán, Jalisco, and Guanajuato are experiencing great weather these days with maximum temps in the mid 80°s and minimum temps in the mid 40°s. There is no forecast of rain in the next ten days. This is perfect weather for berry production. Volumes should be good on strawberries out of Mexico and crossing in McAllen for the Valentine’s Day pull.

VERACRUZ – Persian Limes

The state of Veracruz, where 90 percent of Persian limes come from in Mexico, is experiencing perfect weather as they have been for most of the past several months. Markets on limes have been soft for some time, and there are no weather issues in the foreseeable future that would disrupt supplies and tighten markets. This is a 180 degree difference compared to last year at this time when Veracruz was experiencing heavy rains and cold temps, and markets sky rocketed shortly after.

Thank you again for your support and we will be back this Friday with another update.

Weathermelon