This report covers conditions and observations made Monday, February 29, 2016.

This is the final daily report of the 2016 bloom season. The next scheduled report will be posted on Monday, March 7, 2016. In the event of any significant occurrences prior to that date, this site will be updated as soon as possible.

Taken in Madera County, photos in today’s report show the nutlet development in the Sonora variety, the jacket stage of the Butte variety, and a down-the-row shot of a Nonpareil and Carmel orchard.

Weather in the southern region remained warm on Monday, with overnight lows in the mid 40s and daytime highs reaching the mid 70s. Light winds swept through Madera and Fresno Counties, while Southern Kern and Tulare Counties experienced gusts up to 12 miles per hour.

Nutlets are beginning to size in Nonpareil and its California-type pollenizers. Early blooming varieties have continued to grow leaves, and the later blooming Butte and Padre varieties are beginning to leaf out fairly strong. Temperatures through the end of the week are expected to remain in the upper 60s to low 70s, with overnight lows staying in the high 40s. These conditions will provide opportunity for strong nutlet growth and post-bloom crop establishment.

By Friday night, rain is expected to enter the region and continue through the middle of next week. Over the weekend, a powerful storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the region. These predictions have forced some growers to plan another round of fungicide treatments as a precautionary measure.

By Jereme Fromm