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 the latest around all growing regions.

WARM OUT WEST WHILE CHILLY IN FLORIDA

California

California began a five-day heat wave yesterday which will see temperatures about 10° above normal for this time of year.

Regions such as Santa Maria, CA, which have an average high temperature of 64° for February, had a maximum temperature yesterday of 75°. Today and tomorrow will be about the same but will hit 80° on Thursday and Friday. Oxnard will see approximately the same temperatures as Santa Maria.

The desert region of Coachella along with the San Joaquin Valley will see maximum temperatures in the mid 80°s all this week.

These warm temperatures bode well for increased production of strawberries along the coast, oranges out of the SJ Valley, and all items of the Coachella Valley. Look for increased volume this week and into the weekend.

Florida

On the other side of the country in Florida, the script will be flipped. Florida has been experiencing its own heat wave for the last 10 days or so, which has led to heavy volumes of strawberries, but that will come to an abrupt end tomorrow as a storm front comes through the state. The strawberry regions of Plant City and Palmetto will see rain tomorrow (up to .75”) with cold temperatures to follow on Thursday through Sunday. Look for maximum temperatures over those four days to reach the mid 60°s and minimum temperatures to range from the upper 30°s to the mid 40°s.

The vegetable regions of Belle Glade and Immokalee will see rain as well tomorrow followed by much cooler temperatures. Expect maximum temperatures over the next four days to be in the mid-60°s and minimum temperatures to be in the low 40°s with an occasional upper 30° temperature.

Monday will begin a gradual warm-up across the state with maximum temperatures back in the 80°s by mid-week.

Look for production volumes to slow over the weekend due to these cool temperatures.

UNSEASONABLY COOL TEMPERATURES COMING TO MEXICAN LIME COUNTRY

The same storm making its way across Florida tomorrow will also hit the Mexican coastal lime growing regions of Veracruz. The region can expect up to 1.0” of rain tomorrow which will most likely halt harvests for the day. Along with the rain will come cooler temperatures. Expect maximum temperatures to drop over 20° from a high yesterday of 87° to a high 67° tomorrow. These cooler temperatures will last through Saturday. Look for another chance of rain on Friday and Saturday.

HOT TEMPERATURES CONTINUE IN CULIACÁN

The warm temperatures last week in Culiacán, Mexico, have led to increase in production of all items coming from this region. These warm temperatures will continue this week with maximum temperatures reaching into the low 90°s with minimum temperatures in the mid 50°s. Look for markets to loosen as volumes increase once again. Temperatures will cool next week with highs in the low 80°s and possible low temperatures dipping into the 40°s. We will update you again on Friday.

Thank you as always! We will be back later this week with another report.

Weathermelon