FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday, March 25:
*** Disease Update - 25 March: More information is available concerning the blue mold outbreak in southern Georgia. Both systemic and foliar blue mold were present in the plant beds. These plant beds were destroyed after blue mold was discovered. Given the possibility that disease development may have occurred during the past two weeks, we will keep this source in the forecasts and assume some light disease activity is present in the area. For more information and photos of the outbreak, please take a look at the University of Georgia Tobacco Home Page. Our thanks go to J. Michael Moore for this information.
*** 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.
***** There are threats to the southern Appalachian Mountains and the coastal plains of the Southeast Monday and Tuesday. ***** A cold front is approaching the Southeast today and will be moving through the region on Tuesday. Airborne spores from southern Georgia will move north on Monday, northeast on Tuesday. Conditions will be somewhat favorable for survivable transport of spores. Scattered showers will occur as the front moves through. On Monday....there is Low Risk near the source. Moderate Risk for northeast GA, northwest SC, western NC, northeast TN, southwest and extreme southwest VA, and southern WV. Low Risk beyond. For Tuesday's event.... there is Moderate Risk for southern GA, southern and eastern SC, and southeastern and far east sections of NC. Low Risk beyond. Elsewhere.... trajectories from the other sources do not approach other growing regions early this week. There is Low Threat from these areas.
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.