The latest monthly and season outlooks for May and May through July were released by NOAA last week. They show that for both the May and May-July periods, the climate of the Southeast is expected to warmer than normal in temperature and wetter than normal in rainfall. This is good news for farmers overall since the warm conditions will increase plant growth as long as there is enough moisture to keep the plant from wilting. However, those conditions also enhance the development of fungal diseases, which farmers will have to treat using additional rounds of fungicides. At least there is no drought in sight, and irrigation may not be needed as often as in drier years. This does not mean there will not be dry or cool spells, just that they are not likely to last for extended time periods.
