Week Ending 2025-02-02

Dormancy continues in the Santa Lucia Highlands as February begins, but the recent dry pattern has returned. After a brief improvement last week, no measurable rainfall was recorded for the period ending February 2, 2025, further extending the overall winter precipitation deficit.
Daytime temperatures cooled, with average daily highs down to 60.2°F compared to 66.1°F the previous week. Overnight lows edged slightly higher, averaging 35.9°F, while the weekly mean temperature held steady at 46.4°F. Soil temperatures ticked down to 48.8°F.

Wind activity increased, with average daily peak wind speeds rising to 9.6 mph, and the strongest gust reaching 13.2 mph on January 28 at 4 PM. Mean wind speed for the week climbed to 4.2 mph. Weekly evapotranspiration (ETo) was 0.40 inches, in line with the cooler trend.

In summary, the region saw a return to dry conditions, with no additional rainfall to build on last week’s modest totals. Temperatures moderated, and wind increased, contributing to steady evapotranspiration. The continued lack of rain keeps soil moisture well below average as winter progresses, and growers remain alert for changes in the weather pattern as the dormancy period continues.