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.

COLD WEATHER TO AFFECT MICHIGAN PRODUCTION

It appears summer in Michigan might finally be coming to an end next week. Next Thursday, October 3, minimum temperatures in the state will dip into the mid 40°s and highs will only reach into the upper 50°s. These cooler temperatures will continue through the weekend of 4th and 5th. Expect production to slow down at the end of next week.

In the meantime, temperatures will remain warm with highs in the upper 70°s this weekend. There is still quite a bit of production coming out of Michigan such as tomatoes, blueberries, and watermelons.

Take advantage of the warm temperatures this weekend to pick up an extra load or two before temperatures and production drop late next week.

CALIFORNIA TO EXPERIENCE COLD SNAP–EXPECT PRODUCTION TO SLOW

The entire state of California will see a major cool down starting today that will last through next Wednesday. All major growing regions from Salinas South to San Diego and inland to the San Joaquin Valley will be affected.

Minimum temperatures in all areas will drop from the 60°s into the 40°s by Saturday night where they will remain through next Wednesday. The coldest night of the snap will be Monday with Salinas and Santa Maria dropping into the low 40°s and the SJ Valley in the upper 40°s. Temperatures will begin to rise again starting Thursday.

Expect production to drop next week in all growing regions.

The desert regions of Coachella and Imperial Valley will not participate in the cold.

MAJOR STORM OFF MEXICO’S PACIFIC COAST TO DROP HEAVY RAINS THIS WEEKEND

The coastal regions of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco can expect high rain totals over the next four days as a storm spins off the coast. Expect to see accumulated rain totals well above 4.00” over the next four days. The heaviest rain will come Sunday. Items growing in these regions which could affected are key limes, blueberries, blackberries, and avocados.

OREGON COLD TEMPS START THIS WEEKEND—BLUEBERRIES

If you are still buying berries out of Oregon and Washington, expect a slowdown in production next week as the minimum temperatures will begin to drop into the 40°s tonight and will reach a low of 38° on Monday. Starting Tuesday, October 1, the minimum temperatures will gradually begin to warm again throughout the week but will remain in the 40°s. Expect the remaining production still coming out of this area to drop even more.

ARGENTINEAN HEAT AND COLD MAY AFFECT BLUEBERRIES

Argentina will see some extreme weather over the next week that may affect qualities of the berries. Cooler weather during the last month has caused a delay to the start of their blueberry season, but this weekend temperatures will heat up jumping 15˚ to 20° over the next few days, peaking at a high of 100° and a low of 81° on Monday. However, next Wednesday a storm will come through bringing rain to the growing regions and dropping the temperatures by as much as 30° overnight with highs only in the upper 60°s and lows back into the 50°s.

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

Weathermelon