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– Rain: The week brought an important reduction in total rainfall to 28 mm (1.1 inches), concentrated at the beginning of the week.

– Temperature: The minimum air-temperatures started to decrease but fortunately the average air and soil temperatures actually had a slight increase! Minimum temperature reached 22.3°C (72.1°F) – 0.9°C lower than last week; and the average reached 27.1°C (80.7°F). The soil temperature reached 27°C (80.6°F).  Relative humidity decreased to 83.6% due the lower precipitation of the week, while solar intensity was high during most of the week.

– Observations: Although air temperatures have dropped slightly during the last two weeks, we believe that it hasn’t been of the magnitude to bring stress to plants and to cause NDF. However we remain vigilant and continue monitoring the fields for evidence of natural flowering. Weather has been favorable up until now, but the trustworthy Meteorological Institute of Costa Rica has announced lower temperatures and increased rainfall for the following weeks.

– 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.

– Rain: Total precipitation during week 45 was 17.6 mm (0.79 inches), concentrated mostly during the end of the week.

– Temperature: A slight decrease in air temperature was experienced this week. The minimum reached 22.4°C (72.4°F) and the average was 27.5°C (81.4°F). Soil temperature continued stable at 27.8°C (82°F), while relative humidity decreased to 81.8% due to the relatively low rain during the week. Overall, it was quite hot and solar radiation was intense most of the days!

– Observations: The slight reduction in air temperatures did not bring any serious threat of stress-causing events that result in natural fruit. However, we will be very observant from now on as it is typical that for the next few months air/soil temperatures will decrease and precipitation will increase (both risk factors that can cause NDF events).

– Rain: Dry spell continues with only 12 mm (close to half an inch) of precipitation registered.

– Temperature: More of the same as prior week  – minimum temperature reached 23°C (73.4°F) while the average reached 27.7°C (81.9°F). The soil temperature reached 27.6°C (81.6°F). Relative humidity decreased to 82.8% due the low rainfall during the last two weeks. The week as a whole was quite hot, and solar radiation was intense during most of the days.

– Observations: November has brought very little precipitation, high solar radiation, and stable air/soil temperatures; weather conditions are very favorable for the cultivation of good quality pineapple! Cold fronts from the north have been absent and this is reducing the risk of an early NDF event that usually comes between weeks 45 to 46 of every year.

– Rain: Intermittent and light showers during the week brought total precipitation to 11.8 mm (half an inch). A rather dry week!

– Temperature: Very stable air day and night temperatures as well as soil temperature. Minimum temperature reached 23°C (73.4°F) and the average reached 26.9°C (80.5°F). The soil temperature reached 27.2°C (81°F), while the relative humidity increased to 86.9%. Although the week was quite hot, solar radiation intensity ranged from moderate to low due to increased cloudiness typical of this transitional period from dry to wet.

– Observations: Usually the dry season ends by the first half of October but this year the entire month has had low rainfall, which is rather favorable by allowing us to advance in our soil preparation. Most importantly, it has made it easy to keep up all of our agricultural practices and also enhanced the quality of our fruit! Our temperatures remain on the higher end of the scale so the threat of the stress-causing cold fronts is being delayed.

– Rain: A significant change in our weather came about during week 42 at the source, with a total cumulative rainfall of 40.4 mm (1.6 inches) concentrated from the beginning to mid week. The weekend was relatively dry.

– Temperature: We experienced a slight decrease in air and soil temperatures this week. The minimum temperature reached 22.8°C (73°F), the average registered 27.2°C (81°F) and the soil temperature was 26.9°C (80.5°F). Relative humidity remained rather stable at 84.6%, while solar radiation was variable with some days of normal/high intensity. However, in general we can predict a low risk of sunburn and corky fruit.

– Observations: Based on historical data, the precipitation after week 42 should increase and the soil and night air-temperatures start to decrease as we approach the period of natural flowering with stressful occurrences.

– Rain: We could not ask for better weather during Week 41 – mostly hot and sunny days with very low precipitation. The rainfall recorded was almost nil (1.8 mm).

– Temperature: It warmed up during the week as the minimum temperature reached 23.3°C (74°F), the average temperature topped at 27.6°C (81.7°F) and the soil temperature evened out at 27.2°C (81°F). Relative humidity was identical to last week at 84.6%, while solar radiation was intense at the beginning of the week but decreased from the middle towards the end of the week.

– Observations: True to form, October continues with perfect weather for the cultivation of pineapples. We do not expect any production or quality challenges in the short term, as conditions should remain stable through and after the Limon Carnivals that will take place this weekend.

– Rain: Total precipitation registered  during the week was  34 mm (1.3 inches),  concentrated on the first day of the week while the rest of  the week was relatively dry – very typical for this time of the year!

– Temperature: The average air day and night temperatures were similar to those of the previous week. Minimum temperature reached 23°C (73.4°F) while the average was recorded at 27.3°C (81.2°F). The soil temperature was slightly lower – 26.9°C (80.5°F). Relative humidity was also very similar to last week at 84.6%. Although the week was quite hot, the solar radiation intensity ranged from moderate to low due to increased cloudiness.

– Observations: During this time of the year we experience extreme opposites in weather conditions at the Pacific Coast and Central Region when compared to the Atlantic Coast. The Pacific Coast and Central Region experience torrential downpours almost daily, while the Atlantic Coast has very dry days and occasional rainy nights (a pattern which extends through mid October). Since both Coasts produce pineapples, it is expected that they will have different production and quality challenges related to their weather pattern.

– Rain: A significant change in the weather pattern came about during week 39 bringing the total cumulative rainfall to 49 mm (almost 2 inches).

– Temperature: We also experienced a slight decrease in air and soil temperatures. Minimum temperature reached 22.9°C (73.3°F), while the average registered 27.3°C (81.1°F) and the soil temperature was at 27.3°C (81.1°F). Relative humidity increased to 84.6% due to the higher rain. Solar radiation was variable with some days of lower and others with higher intensity, but in general with lower risk of sunburn and corky fruit than prior weeks.

– Observations: Reviewing historical data shows us that the precipitation during week 39 is still normal. The Central Valley and the Pacific Coast have had rather excessive precipitation during this time frame, causing certain flash floods on rivers that run into the Caribbean Ocean. One of the rivers on the route to the port of Limon washed away a section of the road and disrupted transit to the port for a few days until it was repaired!