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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Weather”
A developing El Niño is one reason the number of storms during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season could be near to below historical averages, AccuWeather reported recently. AccuWeather is predicting 11 to 16 named storms, including four to seven hurricanes and two to four major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher. The historical average is 14 named storms, seven …
Information obtained through March indicates that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will have activity somewhat below the 1991–2020 average, Colorado State University (CSU) reported on April 9. CSU estimated that 2026 will have: HURRICANE LANDFALL PROBABILITY The probability of U.S. and Caribbean major hurricane landfall is also estimated to be below its long-period average. Probabilities for at least one major …
The prolonged drought in the Southeast could negatively impact citrus trees if growers are not applying the right amount and frequency of irrigation. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, shared that message following the April 2 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor map for the Southeast. The map shows exceptional drought conditions worsening and …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported on disruption of citrus operations in South Africa due to flooding late last month. Heavy, persistent rainfall in South Africa’s Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage. Waterlogged citrus orchards have hindered disease management and increased the risk of citrus black spot (CBS) infestation, threatening market …
By Davie Kadyampakeni, Chris Oswalt and Muhammad A. Shahid With the onset of cooler temperatures, citrus trees cease active growth and become quiescent. This continued quiescence at lower temperatures results in a subsequent increase in cold hardiness, known as acclimation. Citrus trees proceed through many changes during acclimation, including: The above factors combine to increase the ability of citrus tissues …
A lack of adequate soil moisture could make an already challenging situation for Florida citrus growers worse. It is imperative that producers keep applying irrigation amid any prolonged dry period, says Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus agent. Oswalt noted that many citrus-producing regions in Florida have had little, if any, rain in …
Sub-freezing temperatures this week across the cold-hardy citrus region had minimal impact on the region’s fruit crop. A hailstorm in a couple of South Georgia counties, however, was another story. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and owner of JoNina Farm in Ochlocknee, said her operation was battered by hail for about 15 to 20 minutes late …
Cold-hardy citrus producers need to be prepared for a potential freeze event next week. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, cautioned growers on the UGA Citrus Blog that temperatures are expected to drop in the low 30s across the region next Monday and Tuesday, and perhaps in the upper 20s in some areas. The …
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (UGA/CAES) Cooperative Extension recently published an article to help protect farmworkers from extreme summer heat. UGA CAES Extension specialists Pam Knox, Rolando Orellana and Anna Scheyett contributed information to the article by UGA CAES writer Emily Cabrera. A shortened, edited version of the article follows: With heat index values reaching …
Colorado State University (CSU) on July 9 decreased its Atlantic seasonal hurricane forecast slightly and now calls for a slightly above-normal 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane season. CSU anticipates a slightly above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. Information obtained through June indicates that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will have …
Imagine using an artificial intelligence (AI) platform similar to ChatGPT to get crop-damage information after a major storm and comparing it to previous seasons. That’s what University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) AI scientist Nikolaos Tziolas plans to provide for farmers. His project will be funded with a new $297,000 grant from the U.S. Department of …
Recent rainfall has been a welcome sight for Floridians, but it can be a concern for the state’s citrus growers who are producing next year’s crop. Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences citrus agent, cautions growers about citrus canker amid the increased moisture in the region. “With rainfall, you need to be concerned about those …
Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service have predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to Nov. 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season and a 10% chance of a …
The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …
By Megan Dewdney Despite being in a transition from a La Niña to a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation phase, Florida has not had warmer than average temperatures in the last two weeks from March 3. Looking at historical trends, temperatures for the last two weeks of February were in the normal range for this time of year. When looking …
January temperatures have been low for cold-hardy citrus growers. They are about to get lower, however, beginning early next week. GEORGIAAccording to weather.com, low temperatures in Tifton, Georgia, are forecast to drop into the high 20s, Sunday through Wednesday, with high temperatures only reaching the mid-30s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Similar weather conditions are expected across the region, so growers …
Florida state climatologist David Zierden recently discussed past and present weather impacts on Florida citrus and said the next three months of winter are projected to be warmer than usual. Zierden, of Florida State University’s Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies, spoke during a virtual Winter Weather Lunch Break on Dec. 10. PAST Zierden said 13 freezes occurred over a 162-year …
Climate change is a key reason that citrus production has progressed in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama, the area known as the cold-hardy citrus region. As more varieties, other than satsuma mandarins, continue to be planted in the area, warmer temperatures are needed for trees to flourish. Arnold Schumann, professor of soil fertility and water quality at the …
By Ariel Singerman Orange yield in Florida has decreased by more than 80% since HLB was first found in the state in 2005. It is hard to find another example in recent history of an industry as iconic as Florida citrus that has declined so significantly as a consequence of a plant disease. As a comparison, at the global level, …
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service forecasters issued an Atlantic hurricane outlook update on Aug. 8 very similar to its initial outlook issued in May. Both outlooks projected an above-normal hurricane season. The forecasters updated the number of expected named storms to 17 to 24 (with winds of 39 mph or greater), of which eight to 13 …
