Potato Blight Warning Issued for Western Counties

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow blight warning for parts of the west and northwest of the country, as weather conditions over the coming days are expected to favour the spread of potato blight.

The warning will be in effect from midday Tuesday through to Wednesday night, covering the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, as well as coastal areas of Clare, Galway and Kerry.

A combination of mild temperatures, high humidity and low winds will create ideal conditions for the fungal disease to spread. These weather patterns are known to promote the development of late blight, which can devastate potato crops if left unmanaged.

Potato growers in the affected areas are being advised to take appropriate preventative measures, including the application of fungicides where necessary and the close monitoring of crops for early signs of infection.

The warning comes at a critical time in the growing season, when blight pressure typically increases with warmer, wetter weather.

Blight, caused by the Phytophthora infestans pathogen, can spread rapidly under the right conditions, leading to significant crop losses if not quickly addressed.