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.
HEAT WAVE IN FLORIDA HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED
Last Friday, we had talked about warming temperatures coming to Florida this week. The heat started over the weekend and will continue through the week, with tomorrow and Thursday being the hottest days of the week. Look for the strawberry growing region of Plant City to hit a high of 88° degrees tomorrow, while Immokalee will touch 89° tomorrow and Thursday. Belle Glade will see a maximum temperature of 89° on Thursday. The nightly lows will also be above average with minimum temperatures reaching as high as 70° in some growing areas.
I would look for an increase of production coming out of all major growing regions of Florida throughout the week. This may relieve some pressure on the tight supplies coming out of Mexico right now.
Temperatures in Florida will cool off a few degrees over the weekend, but next Monday, February 17, the temperatures will warm up again, reaching into the upper 80s.
CULIACAN REMAINS UNSEASONABLE COOL
Nogales shippers are still feeling the effects of the rain and cold temperatures last week in Culiacán and the surrounding areas that have reduced supplies, caused quality issues, and tightened markets. Weather over the weekend was nice but another storm front came through the region yesterday bringing cooler temperatures and a slight chance of rain. At the time of writing this article, yesterday afternoon, no rain had fallen, but there is the possibility that there was rain last night. Please check with shippers.
Tonight, the minimum temperature will be 10° cooler than last night, getting down to 49°. Tomorrow will be the coldest night of the week, dipping to 46° and then 49° on Thursday. It won’t be until Friday that minimum temperatures will be back in the 50°s. Look for supplies to remain tight and prices to remain strong in Nogales on all items coming from the Culiacán region.
Temperatures will finally begin to warm next week with highs climbing into the upper 80°s by Tuesday, the 18th.
YUMA HAD RAIN YESTERDAY AND COOLER TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK
The Yuma Valley received rain from the same storm that made its way through California on Sunday and through Culiacán yesterday. From around noon yesterday until 2:00 pm, Yuma received heavy rains, with totals of up to 1.00”. Please check with shippers to see if harvests or quality will be affected today.
Temperatures will be cool today on the backside of the storm with a high of 64° and low of 40° today. Temperatures will begin to climb starting tomorrow, with maximum temperatures back into the mid-70°s Thursday where they will stay into the weekend.
Thank you as always! We will be back later this week with another report.
