Unseasonable Weather Affecting Farmers Across North America This Growing Season

In the world of agriculture, timing and consistency are everything. But this summer, farmers across North America are finding both in short supply. From unseasonably warm nights in the Northeast to devastating spring cold snaps in California, growers are adapting on the fly to a weather pattern that seems increasingly unpredictable.

California’s Cherry Crisis: A Cool Twist in a Warm State

While much of the U.S. is grappling with extreme heat, California’s cherry growers are suffering from the opposite: an unseasonably cool spring. Cold nighttime temperatures in early spring 2025 damaged cherry blossoms, resulting in a significant crop loss. In fact, some growers in the state are reporting losses of up to 80% in yield this year due to poor pollination and flower drop caused by cold snaps during critical blooming windows.

This unexpected chill came after what was, for many, a relatively dry winter, leaving growers unprepared for the delayed bloom cycles and less robust fruit sets. For tree fruit growers, particularly those managing stone fruits like cherries, these disruptions make more than a one-year dent, impact long-term profitability, contract obligations, and even staffing decisions.

New England's Rollercoaster: Heatwaves, Droughts, and Downpours

In sharp contrast to California, farmers in New Hampshire and across New England are fighting a different kind of weather whiplash. This summer has brought a combination of extreme heat, drought, and intermittent heavy rains—a volatile mix that's wreaking havoc on planting schedules and crop viability.

Local reports describe how corn fields have struggled, with some farmers reporting stunted growth due to prolonged heatwaves followed by pounding rains that compact the soil and limit root expansion. For many in the region, excessive spring rain delayed planting, pushing back schedules across the region, although some farmers remain optimistic about eventual yields.

Many farmers throughout New England are facing:

• Delayed germination due to waterlogged soils
• Increased disease pressure from humid, stagnant conditions
• Labor inefficiencies, with workers called in only to be rained out

Drought Takes Hold in the West and Southwest

According to the July 2025 U.S. Drought Monitor map, large swaths of the western United States, from Washington and Oregon down through Arizona and New Mexico, are currently experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions. The USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin highlights that in much of the West, hot and dry weather has stressed rangelands, pastures, and non-irrigated summer crops, with some areas requiring intensified irrigation just to maintain baseline yields.

In states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, farmers are racing against time and water availability. Even irrigated farms are feeling the strain as water allocations dwindle. The USDA’s data shows that as of July 22, 2025, 45% of durum wheat and 62% of barley production is within a drought-impacted area.

Canada: Planting Delays and Climate Adaptation

North of the border, Canadian farmers are also adjusting to an erratic weather pattern. Growers across the Prairies are locked in a race against the weather and each other. With late-spring rains flooding fields, many delayed planting until early June, significantly shortening the growing season.

Meanwhile, farmers in Canada are also adapting to longer-term climate shifts, such as earlier spring melts and more frequent summer heatwaves. One solution: planting different crop varieties better suited to fluctuating temperatures.

Mexico: Extreme Conditions Amplify Risk

In Mexico, heat stress, poor rainfall, and increasing desertification are threatening the viability of both subsistence and commercial agriculture. Corn and bean growers are especially vulnerable, with some reporting losses due to dry soils and failed germination.

Patterns in the Chaos: Common Challenges for All

Across all regions, from the Canadian prairies to central Mexico, a few themes are remarkably consistent:

• Unseasonable temperatures: Whether unusually hot (as seen in New England) or unseasonably cool (as in California), temperature swings are disrupting traditional crop timelines.
• Inconsistent rainfall: Some areas are too wet, others too dry. And many, like parts of the Midwest, are oscillating between the two, making irrigation and pest management a guessing game.
• Economic impact: From delayed planting to lower yields, these disruptions directly hit the bottom line. A missed window in a short growing season can translate into major financial losses.

Fighting Back with Technology: Davis Instruments’ EnviroMonitor and Mobilize App

Weather may be beyond farmers’ control, but the way they respond to it doesn’t have to be. Davis Instruments’ EnviroMonitor® system, paired with the Mobilize app, is empowering growers to fight back with real-time insights and predictive analytics.

Precision Monitoring at Every Level

The EnviroMonitor system consists of a customizable network of sensors connected via Nodes, which transmit data to a Wi-Fi or cellular Gateway. This mesh network delivers hyper-local, high-resolution data across every acre of your operation.

With the Mobilize app, farmers can:

• Track temperature thresholds to forecast frost and set alerts
• Monitor soil moisture and irrigation flow in real time to conserve water
• Use Growing Degree Days (GDD) and chill accumulation models to optimize crop management decisions
• Receive wind and lightning alerts to keep crews and crops safe

Designed for Farmers, Not Engineers

The system is easy to install and scale, making it ideal for everything from large-scale agronomy operations to small homesteads. Whether you’re running a vineyard in Sonoma, a cornfield in Iowa, or a hydroponic greenhouse in British Columbia, the system adapts to your specific conditions, allowing for tailored sensor configurations based on the threats your crops face most.

Weather has always been a variable in farming. But in 2025, that variability is accelerating into a full-blown challenge that spans borders, crops, and climate zones. From cherries in California to corn in New Hampshire and wheat in Saskatchewan, the message is clear: unseasonable weather is no longer an anomaly. It’s the new normal.

Fortunately, Davis Instruments’ EnviroMonitor and Mobilize app offers growers a fighting chance. Armed with real-time data and predictive insights, farmers across North America can make better decisions, mitigate risk, and protect both their crops and their livelihoods.