FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, March 22:
*** Disease Update - 22 March: Alex Csinos (via Tom Melton) reports that blue mold has been discovered in Tift County in southern Georgia, near the town of El Dorado. About 2 acres of plant beds are infected. Strong disease activity is present. There are signs that blue mold may have been present since the beginning of March, but may have gone unrecognized. If this is true, it is likely that other crops in the southern GA and northern FL region have already been exposed. Growing areas in the Carolinas may also have been threatened by spores from this source during recent periods of favorable weather. We strongly encourage all interested parties in the Southeast to scout their plants carefully for signs of blue mold. This source is being added to the forecasts.
***** The known sources are Low Threats Friday through Sunday. ***** An arctic cold front has blasted through the southeast United States. Sunny, dry weather is expected through Sunday with temperatures below normal for the first week of Spring. There is Low Risk to commercial tobacco crops in the Southeast U.S. Friday through Sunday. Elsewhere.... trajectories from the other sources pose little danger to other growing regions. Conditions in western Cuba and the Dominican Republic may be favorable enough for some localized disease development Friday and Saturday.
TK
Forecast Note: The TELETIP system is undergoing some major restructuring and is not yet available for use. However, our other toll-free number (1-888-835-2583) is still in operation. We will notify everyone when the TELETIP system is ready for use. Access to the TELETIP forecasts should be quick and simple.
Serious Threats: None
HIGH RISK areas: None
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
None
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.