Met Eireann issues potato blight warning for Galway

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Galway Daily news blight warning for galway

Met Eireann has issued a warning of weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight this weekend.

On Saturday, weather in all of Munster, Connacht and south Leinster is forecast to be conducive to blight, spreading to the rest of Leinster and Ulster on Sunday and Monday.

There will be opportunities for spraying over the next couple of days.

Potato blight is caused by a fungus called Phytophthora infestans that spreads through the air and thrives in humid weather.

Its symptoms include patches of brown freckles on leaves with a yellowish border, dark patches on tubers, and potatoes rotting into soggy masses.

The forecast for Galway on Saturday is for the weather to be relatively hot and humid.

Temperatures are expected to hit 18 to 18 degrees. lower than some days this week, but with rain also forecast throughout the day, conditions will be heavy and humid.

Similar conditions are expected on Sunday, and next week will see temperatures drop slightly, though rain is expected to persist.