It’s been a roller coaster ride for produce truckers this winter trying to load desert vegetables out of California’s Imperial Valley and the Yuma District of Arizona. But what’s new. It’s winter!
Rains are forecast for a wide area Friday and Saturday (March 8 and 9) as a cold front moves in Saturday and Sunday. Low temperatures will come on the heels of the wind and rains.
Strong gusty winds will kick up Friday, which can certainly beat up lettuce and other vegetables. The winds could hit 50 mph in Southeastern California and 40 mph elsewhere. There also may be localized heavy rains and flash flooding, especially in the Phoenix area north and eastward. The rains are slated to wind down Saturday, followed by colder weather.
Desert weather was warmer than usual in November and December with shipments coming ahead of schedule. Then freezing weather took place around New Year’s. This has resulted in shipping gaps, and making demand for trucks difficult to measure ahead of time.
At the very least, the rains are going to delay harvests – and shipments. Throwing in the possiblity of freeze damage and wind damage and there’s a lot of uncertainity for next week if you’re wanting to load product out the deserts of California and Arizona. Stay tuned for updates.
Desert veggies – grossing about $3,400 to Houston.