FORECAST DISCUSSION: Monday, May 20 *** Special Forecasts on Tuesday !!! *** The tropical disturbance now moving north into the Gulf of Mexico is creating a potentially bad situation for production areas in Florida and S GA. Clouds and showers are prevalent today in Cuba and the southern 2/3 of Florida. By tomorrow these conditions will have spread to encompass all of FL and parts of GA. Early indicators show that southerly flows associated with this system will probably direct spores from Cuba northward into Florida during the next two days or so, while the environment is prime for disease development in that region. The situation is still vague at this point, but should become clearer tonight and tomorrow. An advisory will be posted as soon as possible Tuesday afternoon.
Today's threat from the Cuba, FL, and S TX sources is low. Recent field reports indicate the blue mold in the S TX area continues to dry up. The FL infection is limited to a few farms, with the disease light and drying. However, some sporulation is present in wet areas on two farms. Those interested should bear in mind that conditions over the next several days will be good for local disease development. Thus, even if no spores from Cuba arrive and infect any plants, the disease may get energized anyway. TK
HIGH-RISK SOURCES: None
Web page last updated by Thomas Keever on 20 May 1996.