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.

RAIN AND COLDER TEMPERATURES COMING TO FLORIDA NEXT WEEK

A low pressure trough will come through Florida this weekend, bringing rain and cooler temperatures starting Sunday. Temperatures will drop by 10 to 15° across the board and the rain will stay around through Wednesday of next week.

Immokalee for example will drop from a high today of 88° to a high of 70° next Tuesday, with minimum temperatures in the mid-50°s all next week. The region will get up to 1.5” over the 4 days.

Further north, in the city of Alachua, where they are prepping for the blueberry harvest to start, the temperature will drop from a high today of 83° to only 67° next Tuesday, with minimum temperatures in the mid-40°s. Alachua will see rain on Sunday.

COLD TEMPERATURES AND RAIN IN GEORGIA

Georgia, which is prepping for its late spring crop of vegetables and tomatoes will also see a chance of rain and cooler temperatures from this same low pressure system going through Florida. Quitman, which had a high of 82° yesterday and a low of 61°, will see temperatures drop significantly next week. High temperatures for next week will only be in the mid-60°s and lows will be in the mid-40°s. These cooler temperatures will last through next Friday, Mach 22. It should definitely slow down growth of plants.

MINI HEAT WAVE IS STILL ON SCHEDULE FOR THE WEST – BUT RAIN NEXT WEEK

A ridge of high pressure will move in over the western U.S. today, bringing warm spring-like conditions to all of the western U.S. The warmer temperatures will start today and last through next Tuesday. The hottest days of the heat wave will be Sunday and Monday.

The coastal regions of Salinas/Santa Maria/Oxnard will peak with a high of 77° on Sunday. The desert regions of Yuma and Coachella will see maximum temperatures in the upper 80°s with a possible 90° in Coachella on Monday. Even the San Joaquin Valley will get in on the action, with maximum temperatures in the upper 70°s and low 80°s up and down the valley.

The party will come to a quick end on Wednesday when another pacific low-pressure system will come through bringing lower temperatures and another chance of rain. Could the rain and cold temperatures affect stonefruit and cherry trees in the SJV that will be in full bloom from the warmer temperatures over the weekend? We will update you more on Tuesday.

RAIN AND COLDER TEMPS WILL HIT PERSIAN LIMES

Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz, the lime capital of the world, will see rain and cold temperatures starting today. The same cold front affecting Florida will hit this coastal region of eastern Mexico. Between today and next Thursday, this region of Mexico can expect up to .5” of daily rain fall and maximum temperatures only in the upper 60°s and minimum temperatures in the low 60°s. This is not weather conducive to lime growing. Expect markets to react as volume will drop and be aware of quality issues associated with rain.

By Friday, March 22, the weather will dry out and temperatures will begin to rise again.

WESTERN MEXICO - CULIACAN

Culiacan will see stable temperatures next week, with highs around 90° and lows in the mid-50°s.

WESTERN MEXICO - CIUDAD OBREGON

Cooler temperatures and a slight chance of rain are coming to Ciudad Obregon. Next week, expect high temperatures to only get into the low 70°s and lows to remain in the mid 40°s. These temperatures should slow down the growth of their spring vegetable crop.

Thank you again for your support, and we will be back next week with another update.

Weathermelon