FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, April 19:
*** Disease Update - 19 April: Additional counties in Florida now have blue mold. *** Tom Kucharek informs us that both Lafayette and Madison counties have reported blue mold in the field. Blue mold is present in Gilchrist County, and may also be present in Columbia County, though this is currently unconfirmed. This brings the total of FL counties with blue mold to 5, perhaps 6.
*** Disease Update - 17 April: Several new outbreaks of blue mold have been reported in southern Georgia. *** Most of the discoveries involve weak sources. However, one new source in northern Ware County is very serious, where an 8-acre field is completely infected. The counties of Cook and Jeff Davis also have new outbreaks. Seven counties in southern GA have now reported blue mold.
*** Unsettled weather is expected in the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions much of this weekend *** A cold front is moving into the eastern U.S. on Friday. It will turn stationary over the mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley states on Saturday, remaining nearby on Sunday. Trajectories from the eastern NC source move to the east Friday and Saturday, and to the northeast on Sunday. Friday and Saturday.... the areas at elevated risk are east-central and northeast NC and southeast VA. Moderate Risk for these areas on Friday; Strongly Moderate Risk for these areas on Saturday. On Sunday.... there is Strongly Moderate Risk for east-central and north-central NC and southside VA. Commercial crops in MD and southeast PA are at Moderate Risk, with Low Risk elsewhere. We are monitoring the Sunday transport scenario for NC. The forecast will be updated this weekend if necessary.
*** In the Southeast......a drying trend is expected during the next 3 days. Scattered showers are expected near the source regions today. Only isolated showers, at most, are expected Saturday and Sunday. Moderate Risk Friday for northern FL, southern GA, and southern SC. Low Risk in this region on Saturday and Sunday.
*** Extended Outlook: The cold front will finally push through the Southeast on Monday with some associated afternoon showers. The frontal passage will usher in drier air with seasonable temperatures for several days afterward. ***
TK
Serious Threats: Bunn, NC
HIGH RISK areas: None, but Strongly Moderate Risk in the southern mid-Atlantic on Sunday.
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Local Weather in North Carolina is available from the WRAL-TV5 Weather Center, which also has links to other weather sites.
***** NOTE: These forecasts/outlooks only apply to disease development from airborne transport of spores!!! We do not have the capability to ascertain blue mold development by other means, such as transplanting of infected seedlings, nor will we attempt to do so. Please consult the Extension Service personnel in your area if you have concerns about these matters! *****
This service is provided by the North Carolina State University departments of Plant Pathology and Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences.