Daily Weather Briefing for Thursday, August 17, 2017

ECLIPSE TRAFFIC CONSIDERATIONS

Traffic should start picking up with the arrival of eclipse spectators and should peak late Sunday and early Monday. Be careful when out on the roads and drive defensively because these people don't necessarily know the roads or where they're going and may be paying more attention to a paper map, a map on a phone or their GPS device than you or the road. Increase your following distance and be cautious at intersections or where traffic merges. Some of these people may come to a stop without warning or make unexpected lane changes or make turns without signaling.

LOCAL OUTLOOK

High pressure will gradually erode over the next few days, though warmer than normal conditions will remain. Moist and unsettled weather will return late in the week and into the weekend. Some drying is favored by Sunday with a return to moist conditions to start the new work week.

Eclipse Day Forecast (August 17th Edition)

This is a collection of forecasts for the day of the eclipse for the Franklin area.

National Weather Service

Mostly sunny with a high near 87.

Accuweather

High 84° Low 66° A shower or thunderstorm in spots

Intellicast/Weather Underground are identical

High 84° Low 64° Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Rainfall: 0 in.

Weather Bug

High 86° Low 64° Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 50%.

Macon Media

Highs Franklin area mid-80s. Nantahala, Highlands and higher elevation will be in the 70s. Skies partly to mostly sunny. Showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon are possible, mainly after totality. Coverage will be in a hit or miss summer pattern. Most places will be clear during totality. A stray cloud cannot be ruled out. I'm feeling much better about our chances. *crosses fingers*

When you look at the forecast over the week, try to keep in mind what this may mean for traffic conditions. If possible, leave for work or play early on the 21st and always let family members and friends know what your plans are.


WEATHER SPONSOR



Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for the month. They have all your masonry products (block, mortars, tools), plus feature Belgrade Pavers and Sakrete Products. Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC.

Visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/

Their phone number is 828.524.8545, all are welcome, let them help you with your next project.


Weather Almanac for August 17th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 94°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2007
Lowest Temperature 48°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1979
Greatest Rainfall 2.25 inches in Highlands in 1982

Record weather events for August in Macon County

Highest Temperature 99°F in Franklin on Aug 9, 1980
Lowest Temperature 40°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Aug 29, 1968
Greatest Rainfall 9.68 inches in Highlands on Aug 13, 1940


THREE DAY OUTLOOK



TODAY scattered showers, slight chance of strong storms

Widespread fog in the morning. Mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-80s in the Franklin and Otto areas and 5 to 10 degrees cooler in Highlands and higher elevations. Calm winds in the morning, then from the south in the afternoon. About a 50% chance of rain, mainly after 11 am and before 8 pm.


TONIGHT

Mostly cloudy with overnight fog expected to develop overnight, mainly after 2 am, or so. Lows in the mid to upper 60s in the Franklin and Otto area and 5 to 10 degrees cooler in the Highlands area and higher elevations. Calm winds. 30% chance of showers, mainly before midnight.




FRIDAY

Patchy fog in the morning. Partly sunny with highs near the mid to upper 80s (subtract 5 to 10 degrees in the higher elevations). Calm winds in the morning, then from the west in the afternoon. About a 40% chance of rain.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with lows in the 60s and light winds out of the northwest. 20% chance of rain.



SATURDAY

Mostly sunny with highs near the mid to upper 80s.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with lows in the 60s.

HAZARDS

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected today. Mainly general thunderstorms are favored, however, a few strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out. The primary threats with any of the stronger storms will be damaging winds, cloud to ground lightning, and heavy rainfall.

Traffic should start picking up with the arrival of eclipse spectators. Be careful when out on the roads and drive defensively because these people don't necessarily know the roads or where they're going. Increase your following distance and be cautious at intersections or where traffic merges.

As always, you can check to see what advisories, watches, and warnings are in effect for Macon County by visiting http://is.gd/MACONWARN



TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

The tropics are starting to get on with business as the peak of hurricane season is approaching. This usually occurs between late August and late September, with the median peak date being September 10th.


Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Thu Aug 17 2017

For the North Atlantic...The Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Gert, located several hundred miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

1. Showers and thunderstorms are showing signs of organization in association with a low-pressure system located about 550 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Environmental conditions appear generally conducive for development, and this system has the potential to become a tropical depression while it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and into the Caribbean Sea on Friday. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected to spread across portions of the Lesser Antilles tonight and Friday, and interests there and elsewhere in the eastern Caribbean should monitor the progress of this system. An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the disturbance this afternoon, if necessary.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...70 percent.

2. A second area of low pressure located about midway between the coast of Africa and the Lesser Antilles continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is possible during the next few days while it moves west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph, but upper-level winds are expected to become less conducive for tropical cyclone formation when the disturbance moves north of the Leeward Islands this weekend.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...50 percent.

3. A tropical wave located over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean near the Cabo Verde Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is possible during the next several days while it moves westward to west-northwestward at about 15 mph.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...40 percent.

ECLIPSE EVENTS (events listed here are paid sponsorships)

RABUN COUNTY

Rabun County, Georgia has a county-wide “Outasight” eclipse viewing party planned for August 21st at the Rabun Gap Nacoochee School. More information may be found at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/georgias-total-solar-eclipse-outasight-viewing-party-at-rgns-tickets-36172624293

Other events happening in and near Rabun County the weekend of the eclipse can be found on the Explore Rabun website at http://explorerabun.com/events-happening-total-solar-eclipse-rabun-county-georgia/

BRYSON CITY ECLIPSE WEEKEND

Bryson City invites you to a weekend of celebrating the eclipse. To find out more information, visit their page at https://www.greatsmokies.com/2017eclipse.html

Bryson City is recommended by TravelChannel.com as the spot in North Carolina to watch the eclipse.


MACON CALENDAR

If you have an event you wish to be added to this calendar, please send the information, along with a flyer in pdf format or a high-quality photo, to editor@maconmedia.com. If you want text published, please include a paragraph with your photo, flyer or graphic. Please include date(s) and time(s).
There is no charge for civic, educational or nonprofit groups, except for groups or events that receive funding from the TDA, TDC, and EDC, where full rates apply.


September 27th, WEDNESDAY

HOSPICE HOUSE FOUNDATION OF WNC

PEACEFUL JOURNEY
3rd annual charity dining event
hosted by RISTORANTE PAOLETTI at 440 Main Street in Highlands

For information, visit http://hhfwnc.org/peaceful-journey/


National Alliance on Mental Illness
Appalachian South

Meets each Thursday at 7pm
The First Methodist Church Outreach Center
at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and West Main Street
(directly across from Lazy Hiker Brewery)

Come join our weekly support group for anyone suffering from mental illness and their family or friends. This includes Depression, Bipolar,8chizophrenia, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Etc.

Here you will find:
— others living with mental health challenges YOU ARE NOT ALONE
- learn coping skills and ?find hope in shared experience
- help learning how to break down stigma and guilt surrounding mental health
- how to live life with the expectation of a better a better future

Kay (706)970-9987 Denise (828)347-5000)

SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

On January 1, 2017, the Syringe Exchange Program of Franklin began operating a comprehensive harm reduction program to address the opioid epidemic that is impacting western NC. Opioid overdose reversal kits including naloxone are available free of charge. If you have any questions about our services or if you know someone interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Almeida at 828-475-1920.



Sun and Moon

Sun

Begin civil twilight 6:27 a.m.
Sunrise 6:54 a.m.
Sun transit 1:38 p.m.
Sunset 8:21 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:47 p.m.

Moon

Moonrise 1:39 a.m.
Moon transit 8:44 a.m.
Moonset 3:53 p.m.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: Last Quarter on August 14, 2017 at 9:15 p.m. (local daylight time)

Phase of the Moon on August 16, 2017: Waning Crescent with 32% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
The next New Moon will occur during a total solar eclipse at 2:36:40 pm on August 21, 2017.


Sky Guides for this week

Sky and Telescope Magazine 
Astronomy Magazine


Earth Sky has an article on the eclipses of 2017. [LINK]

Heavens Above has an Android App that will assist you in observing the sky and even has a satellite tracker that will let you know when the International Space Station and dozens of other satellites are overhead. [LINK]

Stellarium is also an app that will assist you in observing the sky. It is available in both Android [LINK] and iOS versions. [LINK]

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia

Published at 4:42 am on August 17, 2017

#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety

Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, and the Weather Prediction Center.