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.

EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING TO CALIFORNIA

California will experience a heat wave all this week that will affect several major growing regions.

All points of the San Joaquin Valley will see maximum temperatures well above 100° all week. Bakersfield and Fresno will be at 105° today and tomorrow but will rise to 107° on Thursday where it will remain through Monday of next week.

The northern end of the valley will also see maximum temperatures well above 100° and will hit a maximum of 106° on Thursday. Temperatures through the area will not drop below 100° until next Tuesday, July 30.

This may lead to possible quality issues on items such as tomatoes and melons out of these areas. Call your shippers.

The second main area of mention is the Salinas Valley. From Soledad south in the valley, expect the high temperature for tomorrow to be 97°and rise to 99° on Thursday. Maximum temperatures will remain at this elevated level through next Monday.

This may lead to quality issues on wet veg and tomatoes coming from these areas as well.

Oxnard/Ventura region along the southern coast of California will also experience well above average temperatures for this time of year. Maximum temperatures will range from the mid-80°s up to the mid-90°s all this week depending how far from the coast the farm is located. These temperatures are 10° to 20° above normal. Berries, lemons, bell peppers, and some wet veg are coming from these areas right now.

Please take your precautions.

RESPITE OF COOLER TEMPERATURES AND RAIN AFTER THE MASSIVE HEATWAVE

After a weekend of grueling heat through the Midwest and Northeast, many parts of the East Coast will see a good shot of rain and below average temperatures today.

From Pennsylvania in the north all the way down through Virginia, the Carolinas, and into Georgia, many growing regions can expect between 1.00” to 1.75” of rain today. The forecast is for a 100 percent chance of rain. Along with the rain will come cooler temperatures. Pennsylvania will see maximum temperatures in the mid-70°s today and tomorrow, while South Carolina and Georgia will see maximum temperatures in the mid-80°s. These temperatures are 20° cooler than what these areas saw over the weekend.

Please check the app for the commodities and specific locations that will be affected.

The Midwest will also see much cooler temperatures over the next several days. Locations that saw temperatures in the mid-90°s over the weekend were in the upper 70°s and low 80°s yesterday throughout the region. These cooler temperatures will continue through Thursday in many areas. Talking about states such as Indiana, Missouri, and as far south as Alabama and Arkansas.

Nothing to make an issue of, but definitely a big change compared to temperatures only a few days ago.

STORM #3 OFF THE SOUTHEASTERN TIP OF FLORIDA TO AFFECT NORTH CAROLINA WATERMELON GROWERS

"Tropical Depression Three," as it is being officially called by the National Hurricane Center, has formed off the southern tip of Florida over the weekend. The storm will not elevate in stature to a hurricane but is forecasted to bring 1.00” to 3.00” of rain to the east coast of Florida as it makes its way north today.

By this afternoon, the storm will be at the Florida-Georgia line where it will begin to pull away from the coast but is predicted to make landfall tomorrow morning in the state of North Carolina, where it will dump up to 2.00” of rain in the main watermelon growing areas of the region.

Please be aware of this rain to hit tomorrow.

ONE LAST NIGHT OF NEAR FREEZING TEMPS IN CHILE

Many growing regions of Chile have been experiencing below freezing temperatures the last few nights as we discussed last Friday. Last night saw the continuation of temperatures below the freezing mark. Tonight should be the last hurrah with temperatures dipping to around 33°. By tomorrow, we will be out of any danger with minimum temperatures around 36°. By this Friday, the nightly minimums will be back in the 40°s.

REMAINDER OF COUNTRY AND MEXICO EXPERIENCING NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR TIME OF YEAR

Outside of the weather issues mentioned above, we don’t see anything out of the norm for this time of year. Please check the app for specific growing locations and commodities for more specific data.

Thanks again, and we'll be back on Friday with another weather report!

Weathermelon