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.

Cool Temps Continue in California

Cool weather continues all this week in California. Although the rain has stopped for now, the cool temperatures have remained and will continue into next week as well. Oxnard and Santa Maria will experience maximum temps in the mid 50°s through the weekend and all next week. Minimum temps will range from the high 30°s into the upper 40°s over the next 10 days. This is about 10° below normal for this time of year.

The Coachella Valley will also be on the cooler side with maximum temps in the mid 60°s and minimum temps in the mid to upper 40°s for the next ten days.

There are more storms lined up to hit California this weekend and into the middle of next week, but nothing like it saw this past weekend. As of right now, the predicted rainfall totals are fairly low for each storm. Please check with shippers because intensities of rain and dates will vary upon location. All regions up and down the state will definitely see more rain next week, including Coachella, which should see some next Thursday.

Salinas and Castroville areas will see rain this weekend and the majority of next week with overall rain totals over 2”. This region now has crops in the ground for its upcoming spring season and might be something worth noting. I will try and get an update for you next week on the spring crops.

Strawberries

Interesting fact: Production numbers out of Florida are down 37% this season so far compared to one year ago. Central Mexican growers are down by 12% in production compared to this same date one year ago. Combine that with the stoppage of product coming out of Oxnard over the weekend and the first half of this week and Valentine ’s Day around the corner it is no wonder demand exceeds supply.

Looking at the weather in Florida and Mexico, both locations are experiencing perfect conditions with maximum temps in the mid 80°s and minimums in the upper 40°s. Both regions appear to be shipping more product on a daily basis in the last few days than they have over the past several weeks. With great weather forecasted for the next ten days I would expect production numbers to continue to rise.

Florida Update

Look for production on all commodities to continue strong, if not pick up a bit, out of Florida as we head into next week. All major growing regions from Plant City south down to Homestead will see max temps next week in the 80°s and min temps in the 60°s. The hottest days next week will be Tuesday and Wednesday, when most regions can expect to see high temps in the upper 80°s. There are chances for sporadic rain this weekend and mid next week but these storms will not bring colder temperatures and will only drop minimal amounts of rain.

Yuma Update

Yuma continues to pump out the lettuce with seasonal production numbers up about 12% over this same date last year. Yuma saw some colder temps earlier week as a result of the cold front that came in from California. High temps Wednesday and Thursday were only in the mid 50°s and the low temps were in the upper 30°s. That cold front has now passed through and the temperatures will begin to climb again. Weekend max temps will be in the upper 60°s and by Wednesday of next week will be touching 70°. The next five days will see minimum temps in the 40°s but by next Wednesday the min temps will be in the mid 50°s and should remain there for the foreseeable future.

Culiacan Update

Temps continue to rise in Culiacan. This weekend will see maximum temps in the 90°s and minimum temps in the upper 50°s. Next Tuesday will cool off for the day with a maximum temp of only 85° but then by the weekend of Feb 16 the max temps will be back in the low 90°s and minimum temps close to 60°. There is no rain in the ten day forecast. Look for production to remain strong.

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

Weathermelon