Rain: Heavy rainfall and cloudy days persisted through week 46 at the source. Total rainfall recorded by our weather station was 98 mm (almost 4 inches).
Temperature: While our minimum air temperature remained identical to that of the prior week, the average air and soil temperature fell. The average minimum temperature continued at 22. °C (72.2 F) but the average weekly temperature dropped to 25.4°C (77.6 F) from 26°C. The average soil temperature registered 25.8°C (78.4 F) down from 26.3°C. Relative humidity remained stable at 87%. Solar radiation varied in intensity from medium to low throughout the week.
Observations: Miserable weather has affected our region and the northern part of Costa Rica the past few weeks. While it is normal for this time of the year the fact remains as in prior years that rain coupled with low luminosity and decreased air and soil temperature will bring about increased NDF risk. While it is too early to evaluate, these two weeks brought conditions that may be cause for alarm and we are closely monitoring and sampling plants that have been exposed and susceptible to this stress reaction. Last year the first NDF event took place precisely on week 46.