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.

FLORIDA

Warmer temperatures are coming back to Florida next week. This week has been on the cool side due to a cold air mass that was sitting over the Southeast part of the country. This cold air has moved on and warmer temperatures are returning. By Sunday the areas of Belle Glade, Immokalee, Homestead, and Plant City will all see high temperatures in the upper 80°s, and even some 90°s, on Monday and Tuesday. Minimum temperatures will also be warm in the mid- to upper 60°s. Look for increased production from Florida later next week once the plants have a chance to react.

By Saturday, March 16, there is the possibility of another storm to hit Florida, bringing rain and cooler temperatures. We will update next Tuesday as things progress over the weekend.

CULIACAN

Warm temperatures for now but it will drop again next week.

Culiacan yesterday and today saw a maximum temperatures of 97° with a minimum temperature of 57°. These are definitely the hottest temperatures of the season so far. Starting Saturday, however, temperatures will begin to drop and, on Tuesday, Culiacan will only see a maximum temperature of 77° and a minimum temperature of 49°. By Thursday, the maximum temperature will be back in the upper 80°s, but the colder, nightly minimums will continue at least through Friday, March 15. These low minimum temperatures are very unusual for this late in the season in Culiacan.

DESERT REGIONS

Yuma, Imperial, and Coachella will see cool temperatures starting today through Monday. Maximum temperatures will remain in the upper 60°s, with mininum temperatures in the upper 40°s. These regions will also see high winds of up to 25 mph today.

COASTAL CALIFORNIA RAINS AND HIGH WINDS

For now, the storms predicted to hit the coastal regions this Sunday and next Tuesday have been downgraded. Santa Maria and Oxnard now only have a 50% chance of a light shower on Sunday. This should not affect harvests for Monday. However, these regions will see some high winds today and next Tuesday. Castroville, the artichoke capital of the world, will see high winds of around 35 mph next Tuesday and Wednesday. Salinas has a chance for light showers tomorrow and next Tuesday, but nothing major as of now.

CALIFORNIA CHERRIES - COMING SOON

The California cherry growing regions in the San Joaquin Valley have seen a cold and wet winter. Rain totals for the month of February were above normal for most of the valley, while temperatures were below normal. Overall, it has been colder and wetter than normal in most of the west. How will this affect California cherries?

Well, yesterday we had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Zanobini, the Director of Cal Cherry, a marketing board for California cherries. Chris said that so far, the cold wet winter had been a mixed blessing. The cold weather all winter has provided an excellent number of chilling hours for the trees, which has led to a high concentration of bloom and hopefully a big crop. The rain and cold temperatures they are still experiencing however has the crop production about 7-10 days behind schedule for now. Chris said that the crop is in a critical stage and the growers are in a wait-and-see situation with regard to the weather. Chris is anticipating harvests to begin the first week of May for now. If all goes well, they will have a bountiful crop this year. We will check back with Chris in a month or so.

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

Weathermelon