BlightSpy

What does BlightSpy do?

BlightSpy is an upgrade on the longstanding Blight Watch website, allowing potato growers and agronomists to monitor weather forecasts for the predicted occurrence of Hutton Criteria.

BlightSpy provides:

• a blight risk forecast for next 48 hours, with up to 8 days ahead available
• data on both temperature and humidity
• national and regional overviews, allowing each site to be seen in context

What is a Hutton Criteria?

A Hutton Criteria occurs when two consecutive days have both a minimum temperature of 10°C and at least six hours of relative humidity at or above 90%. Prediction of a Hutton criteria is shown by a red dot on the map. An amber dot shows a near miss. This is calculated by looking at 4 pieces of data, the relative humidity at or greater than 90% and the minimum temperature, on each of two days. If RH > 90% occurs on 5 hours on either day or minimum temperature is 9°C on either day, while the other criteria meet those required for Hutton, then a near miss is illustrated on the map.