The Forecast Center began tracking transport events from western Cuba on February 16 and continued through March 16. This was done to see if any event had the potential to impact greenhouse plants in the southeast United States before the start of official forecasts.
Two events during this period (Feb. 17, Mar. 14) crossed over the southern GA / northern FL region withing 48 hours after release, and one other event (Feb. 18) moved over central FL. In each case, the trajectories arrived while an active weather system was passing through the region. However, conditions for survivable transport during these events were unfavorable, with the March 14 event being the least unfavorable.
We have no information concerning the presence or absence of blue mold in Cuba at this time. If disease were present it is possible, though unlikely, that one of these events may have introduced live spores to the growing areas in the Southeast. Risks to plants in any case would have been Low.
Growers in the northern FL / southern GA growing areas are encouraged to continue monitoring their plants for signs of disease.