North Carolina State University
Blue Mold Forecast
*** The 2009 forecast season will begin with the monitoring of transport events out of western Cuba. While we do not have any information regarding the presence or absence of blue mold in Cuba, in 9 of the last 13 years the first outbreaks in the United States have been the result of airborne transport of blue mold spores from Cuba to the growing regions of northern FL or southern GA. ***
Forecast Summary: Thursday, March 19
Regional Weather (Southeast U.S. / eastern Gulf of Mexico): Chance of showers southeastern Gulf areas. Mostly dry otherwise. A cold front is pushing southward through the eastern U.S. and will be in the Gulf by Friday evening. Not much rain with the front. Easterly winds, reinforced by high pressure over the Great Lakes, may aid the formation of some showers in Cuba / southern FL. Highs in the 70's and 80's, lows in the 50's and 60's. Cooler behind the cold front.
OUTLOOK
Thursday and Friday: Transport events are moving southwest the next several days. Low Risk to U. S. tobacco plants Thursday through Saturday.
TK