weather

Pest, disease damage expected, harvest impacts uncertain

The seemingly unending flow of water saturating their fields is burdening California growers with pests and diseases. In March and continuing into April and later, torrential rains and multiple “atmospheric rivers” swept across the state,... more »

California cantaloupe growers report delayed planting

California cantaloupe farmers are overjoyed with the amount of rainfall received this winter and for the welcome relief to severe drought conditions that have impacted growing areas for the past several years. Although rainfall was... more »

‘Atmospheric river’ brings more flooding to California

Californians are bracing for more rains, again from an “atmospheric river” phenomenon that is expected to bring more flooding. Flood watches, Winter storm warnings, watches and advisories, wind advisories and gale watches along the coast... more »

California growers determine options in wake of flooding

With the rains that flooded much of California since late December abating, growers are beginning the complicated process of calculating the damage. Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, joined experts from... more »

Commentary: A cautious smile after our Salad Bowl ‘storm watch’

After three long years of drought impacts, California has shifted climate gears into a monumental precipitation cycle that has brought deluges to many parts of our state. Here on the Central Coast, many areas have... more »

Storms damage California crops, farms

Storms bring water and havoc to California farms. While the water from the storms that hit California during the past two weeks brought some hope for agriculture’s water needs, it also damaged crops. The historic... more »

Hurricanes blow in changes for Southeastern organic grower

North Carolina is productive vegetable country with good soils, good climate and access to urban markets, but the September hurricane season is changing the industry. One example is Black River Organic Farm near Ivanhoe. Most... more »

Enviroweather adds new degree-day maps

The Michigan State University Enviroweather’s “Current Degree-Day Maps” tool shows accumulated growing degree-days (base 50) across Michigan from March 1 to the present (or a user-selected date). Additional maps depict degree-day accumulations compared with normal.... more »

Freezing temperatures threaten Alabama strawberry crops

The threat of freezing temperatures in Alabama quickly shifted strawberry growers from production mode into protection mode. Producers of both fruits are making preparations to protect their crops from frost and freezing temperatures. Alabama Cooperative... more »

California growers monitor storms’ impact

Strong storms during the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend flooded farm fields, caused several dairy farms to relocate their animals and brought other impacts on California farms and ranches. The storms also added more water to... more »