Daily Weather Briefing for Sunday, August 27, 2017

LOCAL OUTLOOK

A high-pressure building across the region will maintain cool conditions over the next several days. Low pressure moving along the Southeast coast Monday and Tuesday will result in chances for showers. As the high pressure weakens later in the week, slightly warmer conditions are expected to return, with sufficient moisture for additional rain chances.

Potential Impacts of Tropical Storm HARVEY

Current forecasts are for the storm to “meander” in the general area for the next few days. If this happens, it will bring catastrophic flooding to that region not seen in more than a generation. Eventually, the storm will move on and decay. The moisture from this storm could impact our region as early as next weekend.

The first impacts of the storm on our region will be higher fuel prices. The longer the storm lasts, the more our supply of fuel from the Gulf region will be impacted. We will see higher prices at the pump and shortages may be possible, if we use what happened after Hurricane IKE in September 2008 as a guide. Plan now for making fewer trips to the store and do your part by simply driving less and only going out when it is necessary and don't top off your fuel tank every day...that simple act, if most people do it, can cause more stress on our fuel supply system than a hurricane.


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 27th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 93°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1998
Lowest Temperature 42°F in Highlands in 1919
Greatest Rainfall 1.88 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1995


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

Patchy fog in the morning. Partly sunny with highs near 80 in Franklin and the main valley and 5 to 10 degrees cooler in Highlands and the higher elevations. Variable light winds in the morning and from the east-southeast in the afternoon. Slight chance of showers between noon and 6 pm.


TONIGHT

Partly cloudy with lows in the upper 50s in Franklin and the main valley and 5 to 8 degrees cooler in Highlands and higher elevations. Light winds out of the northeast.



MONDAY

Partly sunny with highs near 80 and winds out of the northeast.

MONDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with lows near 60 and winds out of the northeast calming before midnight.



TUESDAY

Partly sunny with highs near 80 and calm winds. 30% chance of showers, mainly between noon and 4 pm.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with lows near 60. 20% chance of showers.

HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected today.

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


Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Sun Aug 27 2017

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

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Harvey, located inland over southeastern Texas.

1. An elongated area of low pressure stretching across north-central Florida is producing a widespread area of cloudiness and thunderstorms. This system is forecast to move over the western Atlantic later today, and has the potential to become a tropical or subtropical depression during the next few days, before it merges with a cold front by mid-week. Regardless of development, the low is expected to cause increasing winds and rough surf along the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas through early next week. Heavy rain is also expected to continue over portions of the Florida peninsula during the next day or two. Please refer to products from your local National Weather Service forecast office for more information on this system.

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

2. A tropical wave over western Africa is forecast to emerge over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean tonight or early Monday. Environmental conditions may be conducive for slow development by the middle of next week while the wave moves westward about 20 mph.

Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 5 days...low...20 percent




Tropical Storm Harvey Discussion Number 28
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL092017
400 AM CDT Sun Aug 27 2017

Although the radar presentation of the inner core of Harvey has degraded considerably, the system continues to produce intense convection in bands to the east and southeast of the center. The current intensity estimate is set to 40 kt based on surface synoptic data over southeastern Texas. Since the center is expected to remain mainly over land during the forecast period, continued weakening is likely. Given that a significant portion of the circulation is over water, however, this weakening should be very slow to occur. The official intensity forecast is similar to the model consensus.

Harvey has been meandering overnight and now appears to be drifting south-southwestward. The cyclone is trapped between mid-level highs to its west-northwest and east-southeast. Over the next couple of days, the flow on the southern periphery of a trough dropping over the east-central United States should cause Harvey to move slowly southeastward to eastward. Later in the forecast period, increased ridging to east of the cyclone should cause Harvey to turn northward. The official track forecast is close to the latest model consensus and brings the center to the coast and, briefly, just offshore of southeastern Texas. At this time, it is not expected that Harvey will move far enough out over the water to result in regeneration.

The biggest concern with Harvey is now the rain, a lot of rain. Rainfall totals of nearly 20 inches have been reported in the Houston area. This is resulting in catastrophic flooding which, unfortunately, will continue for some time.

Key Messages:

1. While Harvey's winds are decreasing, life-threatening hazards will continue from heavy rainfall over much of southeastern Texas and from storm surge along portions of the Texas coast.

2. Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is expected across the middle and upper Texas coast from additional rainfall of 15 to 25 inches, with isolated storm totals as high as 40 inches, through Thursday. Please heed the advice of local officials and do not drive into flooded roadways. Refer to products from your local National Weather Service office and the NOAA Weather Prediction Center for more information on the flooding hazard. A summary of rainfall totals compiled by the Weather Prediction Center can be found at: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc1.html

3. A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for portions of the Texas coast. Life-threatening storm surge flooding will be slow to recede due to the slow motion of Harvey and a prolonged period of onshore flow. For a depiction of areas at risk, see the Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic at hurricanes.gov.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 27/0900Z 29.2N 97.7W 40 KT 45 MPH
12H 27/1800Z 29.0N 97.4W 35 KT 40 MPH...INLAND
24H 28/0600Z 28.7N 97.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
36H 28/1800Z 28.5N 96.6W 30 KT 35 MPH...NEAR THE COAST
48H 29/0600Z 28.5N 96.1W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
72H 30/0600Z 29.4N 95.6W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
96H 31/0600Z 30.8N 95.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
120H 01/0600Z 32.0N 95.0W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND

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 6:36 a.m.
Sunrise 7:03 a.m.
Sun transit 1:35 p.m.
Sunset 8:07 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:33 p.m.

Moon

Moonrise 12:45 p.m.
Moon transit 6:21 p.m.
Moonset 11:53 p.m.


Phase of the Moon on August 27, 2017: Waxing Crescent with 34% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: First Quarter on August 29, 2017 at 4:13 a.m. (local daylight time)




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 5:23 am on August 27, 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.