*** Disease Update - 19 June *** From PA..... Blue mold has been discovered in around 6 to 8 fields in eastern Lancaster County. Most fields have only a small number of plants that show symptoms. However, those plants with symptoms are actively sporulating and recent weather has been favorable. From KY..... Dr. Nesmith informs us that no blue mold has been reported in Kentucky. The majority of the tobacco has been planted and transplanting in many areas has been completed.
FORECAST SUMMARY: Wednesday, June 19:
***** The Weather ***** High pressure centered over the New England states covers the eastern U.S. A stationary front lies along the Southeast coast and northern FL. Good chance of showers and thunderstorms today and Thursday south and east of a line running from Mobile, AL northeastward to southeast NC. This includes FL, southern GA, southern and eastern SC, and southeast NC. The remainder of the Southeast and most of the mid-Atlantic states will be partly cloudy and dry. A disturbance moving across the Northeast today will bring some thunderstorms to that region, with dry weather moving in for Thursday. Highs mostly in the 80's, lows in the 60's.
***** The Forecast ***** With the High centered to the north.... trajectories from the sources in the mid-Atlantic states, northeast TN, and the Southeast will be moving west and southwest for the next two days. Thankfully, conditions in southern VA, NC, and the mountains will be unfavorable for survivable transport and deposition. Low Threat from those sources. Favorable weather is expected in the Southeast both days. HIGH RISK for northern FL; Strongly Moderate Risk for southern GA; Moderate Risk for southern AL Wednesday and Thursday. To the north.... the threat from southeast PA should be confined to the source area today. Strongly Moderate Risk for southeast PA on Wednesday. Low Risk to crops in this area on Thursday.
TK
Serious Threats: northern FL / southern GA
HIGH RISK areas: northern FL
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.