Precipitation
Brian Bledsoe of Brian Bledsoe Weather explains what’s driving the record heat, how long it may last and why it’s not a repeat of 2012.
NOAA and CPC issue an official El Niño watch with a 62% chance of forming by late summer. Meteorologist Drew Lerner explains why it’s coming sooner than expected, but warns the extreme forecasts may be overstated. What it could mean for global crops this year.
How quickly will La Niña exit this year, and when will El Niño enter the picture? Not all meteorologists agree with NOAA or one another, but the timing could have a major impact on weather this spring and summer.
Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe says a strong ridge is keeping much of the U.S. warm and dry through mid-November, extending drought across key farm regions, but a pattern shift may bring some relief, and possibly even snow.
The Climate Prediction Center says there’s a 71% chance of La Niña conditions developing from October through December, while also issuing a La Niña Watch. However, one meteorologist expects La Niña to make a quick exit.
The start of June could bring high heat and drier weather, which is a stark contrast from the forecast for the last week of May.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says climate models have consistently shown a ridge across western North America that could lead to drought development, drought continuation or even drought expansion across portions of the Plains and West.
Drew Lerner, founder of World Weather, Inc., says the summer of 1968 had some strong patterns, including a wetter bias in the western and north-central U.S., but drier in most of the Atlantic Coast states and parts of the eastern and southern Midwest.
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.
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.
Some parts of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska saw precipitation this past week, but dry weather prevails in many areas.
This year’s U.S. Atlantic hurricane season is officially the most expensive ever.
The outlook is good for the California strawberry crop despite statewide storm damage, says the California Strawberry Commission.
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.
Frequent rainfall and above-normal amounts in California’s key Salinas growing area will likely lower production volumes of spring vegetables this season and delay supplies.
The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association is evaluating the effects of recent heavy rains to orchards and infrastructure in central and southern Chile.
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.