Shifty weather disrupts Valley crop growth

Near perfect apricot season

Apricot growers have faced plenty of storms – in their orchards this spring, in the global market for several years.

But for the moment at least, things are looking brighter for producers and consumers of one of the central San Joaquin Valley's signature crops.

The 2011 harvest is generally going well, despite cold and rain when the fruit was emerging and the absence of the usual May and June heat. And growers are recovering from several years of low prices brought on by crops too big for the demand.

Valley weather to remain unusually cool

Valley residents can expect more unseasonably cool temperatures and breezes today with a chance of showers in Fresno and northward, the National Weather Service in Hanford said.

A high of 74 degrees today is forecast for Fresno, said Jim Bagnall, weather service meteorologist. Normal high temperatures for the Valley this time of the year are in upper 80s, he said. Wind gusts as high as 22 mph are possible tonight.

A high of 73 is forecast for Fresno on Thursday.

New systems help raisin growers with harvest

California raisin growers are increasingly using machines to harvest their crop as farmers look for ways to boost production and reduce the need for hand labor.

A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report found that from 2009 to 2010, the number of raisin acres where grapes are harvested with machines instead of hand labor grew by nearly 4%.

One of the mechanical systems is known as an overhead trellis. It uses a series of wires to support the ripening grape bunches. Skilled workers carefully cut the vines from the base, allowing the grapes to dry above the ground. Once the grapes turn to raisins, a mechanical harvester is used to collect the fruit.

Valley growers are worried the cool weather may chill people's taste for summer fruit – and less-than-ideal temperatures could delay harvests.

And it certainly has put a halt to traditional summer fun. Both Fresno-area water parks, Wild Water Adventure Park east of Clovis and Island Waterpark west of Highway 99, announced Friday that they were closing for the weekend because of the inclement weather. Each announced they would reopen next Friday.

This time of year, temperatures should be reaching the upper 80s to low 90s. But Friday's high was 75 degrees. And the National Weather Service is forecasting a 60% chance of rain today and Sunday, with highs in the mid-to-lower 60s. There also is a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday.

Wild Water Adventures Waterpark in Clovis, California

Wild Water Adventure Park, People’s Choice Award recipients for over 10 years, offers families the ultimate day of water fun. In the park you’ll be amazed to discover Blue Wave, California’s largest wave pool, as well as Adventure Bay, and lush tropical oasis of family-oriented activities and attractions. Kids can explore a delightful world of sea friends including the Giant Octopus, Giant Mushroom and Baby Octopus. Take a walk on the Floating Lily Pad Walk and explore the shipwreck. For daredevils, The Sidewinder provides 3 story plunge, and a slide through a half pipe. The Black Hole will draw you in with its death-defying speeds. The whole family will enjoy the Banzai Pipeline and GhostSlider, the newest attraction which spins riders in a watery bowl.

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