FORECAST SUMMARY: Thursday, May 2:
*** Disease Update - 2 May *** In southern Florida.... downy mildew is becoming increasingly active in this region. Disease is widespread on squash, with some severe cases noted. Outbreaks are also increasing on cantaloupe and watermelon near Immokalee. Most fields probably have some symptoms. Near Charleston, SC.... no sporulating lesions have been observed this week. The weather has been unfavorable for disease development. Sprays were applied to the infected cantaloupe on April 22 (10 days ago) and yesterday, May 1. Our thanks to Gene McAvoy and Tony Keinath, respectively, for this recent information.
*** Active weather is expected in the Southeast through Saturday *** A cold front is entering the region today with showers and thunderstorms over western and northern sections. The front will stall across the region's midsection on Friday. A low pressure area will develop along the front and traverse the region on Saturday. The result.... after a sunny, hot day for most areas Thursday, scattered showers and thunderstorms will affect central and northern sections Friday and Saturday. The weather will improve Sunday. The exception will be the southern sections, from southern GA southward through Florida. In this region, strong high pressure at the surface and aloft will keep a lid on any chances for rainfall. Hot, dry weather will continue.
*** The forecasts..... unfavorable conditions for survivable transport and deposition will dominate the scene around the southern FL region through Sunday. Trajectories are non-threatening, and no rain is expected near the source. Low Risk to cucurbit crops in this region. At Charleston.... recent observations indicate minimal disease activity. Thus, despite the favorable conditions expected for Friday and Saturday, this source is a Low Threat for the next several days. The disease-favorable weather may result in some disease revitalization.
TK
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This service is provided by the North Carolina State University departments of Plant Pathology and Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences.