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.

RAIN AND COOLER TEMPERATURES COMING TO LARGE SWATH OF SOUTHWEST U.S. AND NORTHWEST MEXICO

There are two storms converging over Southern California, Arizona, and Northwestern Mexico over the next few days. Remnants of Tropical Storm Raymond coming up from Mexico will drop over 1” of rain in the next few days throughout the greater region of Northwestern Mexico and the southwest of the U.S. This storm will mix with a cold trough coming down from Alaska, bringing colder temperatures to the area.

Many major growing regions will see rain and cooler temperatures from these storms.

In Mexico, the following major areas will see rain today and tomorrow: Culiacán and Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Both are preparing for the start of their winter deal. Ciudad Obregón and Hermosillo, Sonora, are still shipping fall vegetables and melons. In Baja CA, the regions of San Quintín and Ensenada will see rain. San Quintín is still shipping tomatoes and other shade house vegetables while Ensenada is shipping berries. All these regions will see cooler temperatures this week and into next.

In the U.S., Yuma, AZ, will see over 1” of rain between today and tomorrow. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood watch for all Southern Arizona. Yuma is kicking off their winter wet veg crop.

This storm will clear out by Wednesday but then the cooler air coming from Northwest will come through dropping temperatures 10 to 15° overnight.

Expect maximum temperatures in Yuma to go from 80° today to 69° on Thursday with minimum temperatures in the low 50°s.

The coastal California regions of Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas will not see any rain from these storms.

CHILEAN BLUBERRY REGIONS EXPERIENCING HEAT WAVE

Major blueberry growing regions of Chile are currently experiencing above average temperatures. Since last week, maximum tempeartures have been in the upper 80°s and will peak today with maximum temperatures in the mid 90°s. The average high temperature for this of year is 76°. These warm temperatures will continue through this Friday before beginning a cool down on Saturday. Next week, maximum temperatures will be in the mid 70°s with minimum temperatures in the mid 40°s.

Look for a possible uptick in production this week.

These same locations are production areas for peaches, grapes, and nectarines out of Chile which should begin shipping sometime next month.

CALIFORNIA COOLDOWN BEGINS TODAY

California coastal growing regions experienced above average temperatures this past weekend with areas such as Oxnard reaching 93° on Sunday and Santa Maria getting up to 88°. Minimum temperatures were in the mid 50°s. These warmer temperatures should have helped the strawberry production.

Things will change tomorrow as the cooler air moves in and drops maximum temperatures down to 61° and minimum temperatures in the mid 40°s. Look for production from these areas to slow down.

In the San Joaquin Valley, where lettuces and grapes are still be harvested, look for maximum temperatures to drop from the mid 70°s down into the mid 60°s starting tomorrow and minimum temperatures will also drop reaching a low of 37° on Sunday and next Monday.

HURRICANE CENTRAL

Remanence of Tropical Storm Raymond is now dropping rain over the states of Sinaloa, Sonora, and Baja CA, Mexico, as well as Southern Arizona. There is no further activity in the Pacific at this time.

In the Atlantic, there is a disturbance about 500 miles east of Puerto Rico. This disturbance is expected to travel northwest avoiding any islands before turning north out into the Atlantic. We will update you Friday as to any changes.

Thank you as always for your support. We will be back later this week with another report.

Weathermelon