– Rain: Precipitation tripled this week by reaching 2 1/4 inches (56.8 mm). This was mostly characterized by showers of medium to moderate intensity every day of the week, and accompanied by dense cloudiness and low solar radiation.
– Temperature: Both the average air and soil temperature continued to decrease in relation to the previous week, but fortunately the minimum temperature actually demonstrated an important increase. Minimum temperature reached 23.2°C (73.7°F) – 0.8°C higher than last week – and the average reached 26.5°C (81.9°F) – 1.0°C lower than the prior week. The soil temperature reached 26.7°C (81.6°F) – 1.1°C lower than the prior week – while the relative humidity increased to 88% due to the higher precipitation.
– Observations: We are beginning to see, albeit a little later than usual, the transition from the hot and dry climate to the rainy and cold period typical for November through February. Year after year we see this weather pattern repeat bringing the threat of NDF-causing events. The various agricultural practices that we have developed over the years have been put in place to try and minimize the incidence of natural flowering in those fields with plants of age to be impacted by stress.