*** Disease Update - 28 June *** We have the first reports of blue mold from Connecticut and Kentucky. In CT..... strongly active blue mold was confirmed in field grown shade tobacco near the town of Windsor on Wednesday, June 26. At least two generations of lesions are present. Recent weather conditions have been favorable. Acrobat MZ has been applied. In KY..... moderately active blue mold has been discovered in a field near the town of Bass, in south-central KY. At least 4 generations of lesions are present. Systemic infections occurred in the field within a few days of setting. Both of these sources will join the forecasts.
*** Disease Update - 26 June *** From NC..... Tom Melton informs us that disease activity has recently been observed in the following counties: Beaufort, Pitt, Nash, Warren and Wake. These recent discoveries are in irrigated fields (Pitt and Warren), in shady areas, or in coastal areas that have recently had some rain (Beaufort). The original areas of blue mold outbreaks in north-central and northeast NC have been very dry. Blue mold is not progressing in those areas. In PA..... Bob Anderson reports new outbreaks in Lancaster County. One serious outbreak is in a 5-acre field. Transplants were moved to this field during a recent 2-week period. Nearly all plants are showing symptoms and systemic infection is present. He also states that calls are coming in from many areas in Lancaster County.
FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, June 28
***** Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in the eastern U.S. on Friday. ***** This is due to a cold front that entered the Northeast and Ohio Valley on Thursday. This front continues its push south and east on Friday. Dry weather is forecast for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states Saturday and Sunday as high pressure moves in. The front will stall near the NC / SC border, extending westward through the southern Appalachian Mountains and into the TN Valley region. Scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible along and south of the front Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the 80's and 90's, lows in the 60's and 70's.
*** For the Northeast and eastern sections of the mid-Atlantic states.......mixed conditions are expected on Friday. There is Strongly Moderate Risk for the central and northern piedmont of NC, the central and northern coastal plains of NC, and southside VA. There is Moderate Risk for southeast PA and southern New England. Dry, unfavorable weather is expected Saturday and Sunday. Low Threat from the sources in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Saturday and Sunday.
*** For the southern Appalachian Mountains and Ohio Valley..... Friday's trajectories move east and southeast. There is HIGH RISK for northeast TN, northwest NC, and extreme southwest VA. Moderate Risk for south-central NC. Moderate Risk for south-central and east-central KY. Low Risk otherwise. Saturday and Sunday.... expect partly cloudy skies with isolated to scattered afternoon showers in the mountains and parts of the Ohio Valley. Trajectories from KY move very little. Weakly Moderate to Moderate Risk for south-central KY Saturday and Sunday. Trajectories from the mountains move slowly southwest on Saturday, slowly northwest on Sunday. Saturday's areas of concern are all the mountain counties of TN and NC. Sunday's areas at risk are northeast TN, extreme southwest VA, extreme southeast KY, and western WV. The risk for these areas just mentioned will be Weakly Moderate to Moderate each day.
*** For the Southeast....... mixed conditions will prevail through the next 3 days. There is Moderate Risk for southern GA and northern FL each day. There is Moderate Risk for southern SC on Friday only. Low Risk otherwise.
TK
Serious Threats: Jonesborough, TN
HIGH RISK areas: northeast TN, northwest NC, extreme southwest VA
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.