Forecast Update:
your forecaster was on leave on Monday, June 9. Forecasts will be produced this week on Tuesday, June
10.... Thursday, June 12... and Friday, June 13.
FORECAST SUMMARY: Thursday, June 12:
***** Disease Update - 10 June ***** We have the first reports of blue mold from South Carolina. Our thanks to Bruce Fortnum, who informs us of blue mold outbreaks in Colleton and Florence Counties. The Colleton County outbreak is in a 70-acre field near the town of Walterboro, at the southern end of the SC growing regions. This is a moderate strength source. Fresh lesions are present and show moderate levels of sporulation. The Florence County outbreak is much smaller, involving about 20 plants in a 1-acre field. However, fresh lesions are exhibiting strong sporulation, and an increase in disease activity may occur due to the recently favorable weather. This source has been rated as questionable. Both of these sources are being added to the forecasts. In southern GA.... an additional report comes to us from Mark von Waldner, the extension agent in Atkinson County. He indicates there have been numerous reports and observations of blue mold in Atkinson County, involving many fields. Recent weather has been highly favorable. The degree of infection varies between fields, ranging from 10-20% at the lower end, and up to 50% in some areas. This site is served well by our current forecast trajectories in northern FL and southern GA.
***** Disease Update - 6 June ***** Blue mold continues to spread in southern GA. Disease is now present in 10 counties. Many outbreaks have occurred in the last 10 days, including a number of severe cases, during the recent favorable weather. The counties are: Ben Hill, Bacon, Berrien, Candler, Coffee, Colquitt, Irwin, Tattnall, Treutlen, and Ware.
***** Showers and thunderstorms for the Southeast today *** A summer-like pattern is in place. Partly cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across the region. There is Strongly Moderate Risk for the southern Appalachian Mountains, northern FL, southern GA, and southern SC. Moderate Risk for northern and northeast SC, central and eastern NC, southside VA, southern WV, and western Va. Low Risk otherwise. Similar weather is expected for the Friday through Sunday time period.
TK
Areas at Strongly Moderate or HIGH Risk during the past week: southern Appalachian Mountains, central and eastern sections of SC and NC, southern GA, northern FL
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Corpus Christi, Texas
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.