Weathermelon Weather Report - July 12, 2019
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.
TROPICAL STORM BARRY TO BRING HEAVY RAINS TO MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Barry is projected to make landfall sometime Saturday along the Louisiana coast. As of right now, Barry is still officially a tropical storm (wind speed 39-73 mph) but has the potential to become a hurricane by Saturday (wind speed of 74 mph and above).
Barry is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches over southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi, with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches. These rains are expected to lead to dangerous, life-threatening flooding over portions of the central Gulf Coast into the Lower Mississippi Valley. Over the remainder of the Lower Mississippi Valley, total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches.
WHO WILL BE AFFECTED:
Arkansas tomato growers are expected to receive 2 plus inches of rain on Sunday. Missouri watermelon growers are not expected to receive more than 0.75 inches of rain on Monday. This small amount of rain should not affect the harvest or quality of watermelon in this region. Tomato growers in Alabama and Tennessee have the possibility to received isolated showers of 2 plus inches.
Please check the app throughout the weekend for updates about specific locations or check the National Hurricane Center for more updates.
PEAK HEAT OUT WEST WILL BE TOMORROW
The principle days of this heat wave will be today, tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. The hottest day will either be Saturday or Sunday, depending upon location.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
As we mentioned on Tuesday, these extreme hot temperatures have the possibility to cause quality issues with many commodities. The main ones that come to mind are the wet veg items such as lettuce, broccoli, etc., in the southern end of the Salinas Valley, where maximum temperatures will get about 90° for five consecutive days. Peak heat will occur on Sunday with a high of 95°.
Coachella Valley grape growers will see four consecutive days of 117°. Melons growers in the San Joaquin Valley will experience five consecutive days over 100° with a peak of 107° tomorrow.
This might be a good time to check with all shippers out of the state.
HEAT RETURNS TO MICHIGAN STARTING MONDAY
Starting Monday, Michigan growing regions will see at least six consecutive days of maximum temperatures above 90° with a peak of 95° on Saturday, July 20. There is no rain anticipated for at least the next ten days.
These temperatures are approximately 10° above normal for July. This may affect the quality of products coming from these regions. Please check with shippers.
Thanks again, and we'll be back next week with another weather report!
