Latest News From WEATHER

From the intense heat in the South to drought blanketing much of the U.S., weather stole headlines again in 2023. What caused such extreme conditions? One meteorologist explains the culprits of the heat and drought.

Peter Bretting, the USDA Agriculture Research Service's national program leader for crop production and protection, shares what's new about this updated plant hardiness map.

The USDA designated four counties and 10 contiguous counties as natural disaster areas. Farmers in these areas may be eligible for emergency loans and other assistance.

The Panama Canal is now cutting its daily ship transits by half this winter due to severe drought.

Bloom Fresh, a premium fruit-breeding company specializing in table grapes, cherries and raisins, says it's taking proactive measures to safeguard table grape production as El Niño threatens vineyards across the globe.

A preliminary University of Florida report assessing agricultural damages and losses from Hurricane Idalia estimates that 3.3 million acres of ag land were affected, along with a $392 million loss in production value.

“The revised estimate for the California crop is 71.9 million 19-pound boxes,” said California Table Grape Commission President Kathleen Nave. “The last time the crop was under 75 million boxes was 1994.”

Advocates are urging action to support workers outside who are harvesting, packing and transporting fresh produce through a summer of record-breaking temperatures.

“Our farmers and ranchers want to focus on producing America’s food supply, not on trying to become experts in procuring what was once routine insurance coverage,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson.

When Tropical Storm Hilary hit Southern California, Palm Springs received nearly 50% of its yearly rainfall in a matter of hours. While the deluge caused flooding, one area farmer is cautiously optimistic.

For those whose livelihood depends upon working outdoors or in less than favorable conditions, this week looks to be quite difficult with higher-than-normal temperatures and humidity predicted.

“The reality is we are playing catch-up with a situation that has been worsening for decades exacerbated by drought, disease and even climate change,” farmer, rancher and firefighter Johnnie White testified to Congress.

There are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S., says columnist John Phipps. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.

Bret Walts of BAM Weather predicts the transition to a colder pattern will be later in September and into October.

The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association is evaluating the effects of recent heavy rains to orchards and infrastructure in central and southern Chile.

Weather has had an impact, said Anita Fernandez, manager of the Avocado Administrative Committee, but the 2023-24 season outlook for Florida avocados is still good.

The signs of El Niño grew even stronger this month, and as the weather event looks to make its grand return, significant weather changes could be on deck for U.S. farmers this year. 

While the majority of Salinas Valley acreage was not greatly affected by two rounds of atmospheric rivers and floods, some growers are leveraging other growing regions to ensure continuity of supply.

Drought pressures plagued the Golden State at the beginning of the year, but an unexpected series of atmospheric rivers this spring that inundated the state with precipitation changed the outlook for water districts.

While hoping to inspire others to give generously, the California-based companies have provided funds to local nonprofits that are working to meet thousands of affected residents’ needs.

The retailer has partnered with the American Red Cross to assist in disaster relief efforts in Southern California.

“Farmers in the Salinas Valley were picking up the pieces from January’s flood event when hit by the March storm and subsequent flooding,” said Chris Valadez, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.

California farmers are facing another round of flooding, with fields still bearing scars from January’s floods. An area known for production of fresh berries and lettuce is expected to now have a larger loss.

“For the farms that were flooded, this catastrophe hit at the worst possible time. Farmers had borrowed money to prepare the fields and were weeks away from beginning to harvest," said CSC's Rick Tomlinson.

Western Growers and California Farm Bureau are praising California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to lift regulations, allowing floodwater to recharge aquifers during the ongoing weather crisis across the Golden State.

Wildfires in Chile during February caused extensive damage to agriculture but limited damage to fruit crops, according to a new report from the USDA.

Growers across the western states are seeking new and novel ways to safeguard their crops and secure a stable water supply for the future.

The California Fresh Fruit Association has applauded a 35% water allocation, which was previously 0%, but is emphasizing the need for storage, management and infrastructure improvement.

Economists have confirmed that Florida citrus crops sustained the most extensive hurricane damages, estimated at over $247 million, in a study of Hurricane Ian's impacts to Florida agriculture.

Southern California’s strawberry season got off to a soggy start this year, with nearly 4 inches of rain falling in the Oxnard growing area in January. The rains put a damper on early season picking.

The Irvine, Calif-based avocado commission has forecast 257 million pounds of avocados for the 2022-23 harvest season, a slight decrease from last year’s volume.

The sudden switch from drought to too much precipitation in parts of California now begs the question: Is the weather changing, and will California start to dig out from three consecutive years of drought?

From flooding to mudslides, an atmospheric river produced rain that wreaked havoc on agriculture and infrastructure in the state. One of the hardest-hit areas is the Salinas Valley, a large lettuce production area.

The 4,200,000 square feet of facilities in the Salinas Valley are an average 42 years old and are in desperate need of updates, according to the CEO of Growers Ice, a post-harvest real estate company.

The outlook is good for the California strawberry crop despite statewide storm damage, says the California Strawberry Commission.

It doesn’t matter if it’s spring, summer, winter or fall, weather is always on producers’ minds. While slower seasons can offer relief, winter can drain emotional batteries. Here are two steps to help find relief.

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and other investors have awarded funds to New Mexico State University to explore potential water conservation from fallowing agricultural land in arid climates.

The reduction is due to orchards facing drought conditions and extreme weather, according to a recent report.

“We rely on the support of farm bill funding and programs to ensure continued U.S. leadership as the provider of the best seed to the world," said Katy Rainey, Purdue associate professor, at the Senate Ag hearing.

The bipartisan group of 14 senators is seeking help for farmers and ranchers to conserve water, improve water infrastructure and efficiency, protect lands at risk of erosion, and more.

In responding to the 5% initial water allocation from California's Department of Water Resources, the group is urging state leadership to rethink drought strategy.

Global fair-trade non-profit has unveiled virtual banana stunt at COP27 to highlight the risks climate change poses on the food system.

Nikki Fried, Florida commissioner of ag, says the preliminary assessment is a "first step" in trying to get federal disaster aid for affected producers.

While a preliminary snapshot of the losses to Florida agriculture, this initial assessment is "a critical first step in the process of securing federal disaster aid," said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.

Indiana’s summer dry weather has caused lower pumpkin yields for this year’s fall festival season.

Record-breaking drought continues to impact irrigation options for citrus growers in California and Arizona.

Watsonville, Calif.-based berry grower anticipates an ample strawberry crop from California’s central coast this October.

Hunger relief non-profit led by IFPA keynote Chef Jose Andres provides relief through freshly cooked meals to Florida residents.

As Floridians across the peninsula grapple with their losses and look toward meeting their immediate necessities, supermarket companies nationwide are sending relief in the form of volunteers, food and other supplies.

After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Michael in 2018 and six other hurricanes since 2000, Florida farmers are hyper-aware of the potential impacts of Hurricane Ian.