Daily Weather Briefing for Tuesday, September 5, 2017

COLONIAL PIPELINE UPDATE

Colonial Pipeline’s Line 2 (distillates like diesel, home heating oil, etc) was restarted between Houston and Lake Charles at 3:00 PM Monday.

From Colonial Pipeline:

•Line 1 remains operational from Lake Charles east, and we remain on schedule to restart the Houston to Lake Charles segment of the line tomorrow.

•We have been working diligently and expeditiously to complete the repair work and restore service following Hurricane Harvey and the unprecedented flooding in the Gulf Coast last week.



LOCAL OUTLOOK

Warm and dry high pressure will remain over the region through today. A cold front will approach from the northwest this evening and bring widespread showers and thunderstorms to the area on Wednesday. Dry, cool high pressure will spread back over the region in the wake of the front on Thursday and linger into the weekend. Computer models are started to show that IRMA may impact our region Monday and Tuesday of next week. The main concern is the potential for rain. Right now, it looks like we may receive around 5 inches in a 36 hour period if the computer models are correct. T

DAY SPONSOR

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.

Their phone number is 371-4718. They are located at 120 Depot Street.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.


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 September 5th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 98°F in Franklin in 1954
Lowest Temperature 38°F in Highlands in 1997
Greatest Rainfall 4.58 inches in Highlands in 1915


Record weather events for September in Macon County

Highest Temperature 98°F in Franklin on Sept 4, 1975
Lowest Temperature 27°F in Franklin on Sept 30, 1967
Greatest Rainfall 11.87 inches in Highlands on Sept 29, 1967


THREE DAY OUTLOOK



TODAY showers and thunderstorms possible late in the afternoon

Areas of fog in the morning. The day will start off cloudy but should clear off to partly cloudy before noon. Highs are expected to be near 80 in the Franklin and main valley areas with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler in Highlands and the higher elevations. Winds will start off from the southwest, peaking around 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon before beginning to shift through the west to come out of the northwest by 6 pm as a band of rain showers and thunderstorms approach from the northwest. There is a potential for some of these storms to be strong. Rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible. Not everyone will see rain, but most should, mainly after 3 pm, with northwestern portions seeing rain first and the southeastern section seeing rain last.

TONIGHT

Mostly cloudy with lows near 60 in the Franklin area and 5 to 8 degrees cooler in Highlands and the higher elevations. Winds out of the northwest calming after midnight. Rain chances will diminish after 2 am and thunder before midnight. Rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch are possible with more in locations that see thunderstorm activity.



WEDNESDAY a touch of fall

Mostly cloudy with highs near 70 in the Franklin area and 5 to 8 degrees cooler in Highlands and the higher elevations. Winds out of the northwest. 50% chance of rain, mainly before 2 pm.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy with lows ranging from the mid-40s to near 50 depending on the altitude of your location. Winds will make it feel about 5 degrees or so cooler at times as it blows out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.



THURSDAY our preview of fall continues

Sunny with highs in the lower 70s.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear with lows ranging from the mid-40s to near 50.

HAZARDS

A line of showers and thunderstorms is expected to arrive sometime later this afternoon or early tonight. One or to of the storms could be strong. The storms should be through he area quickly.

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 Tue Sep 5 2017

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

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Irma, located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands.

1. Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located about 1000 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands are gradually becoming better organized. Satellite data indicate that this system is already producing winds near tropical storm force. There is a strong likelihood that a tropical depression or tropical storm will form within the next few days while the disturbance moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent.

2. A trough of low pressure located over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is producing disorganized shower activity and a few squalls. Environmental conditions are marginally conducive for development, and this system could become a tropical depression during the next couple of days while it meanders over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of development, heavy rains associated with this disturbance are likely over portions of eastern Mexico during the remainder of the week.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...60 percent.



Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 23
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL112017
1100 PM AST Mon Sep 04 2017

Irma's satellite presentation remains quite impressive with a well-defined eye and a symmetrical CDO containing very cold cloud tops. Flight-level and SFMR-observed surface winds from NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the current intensity is about 120 kt. Since the hurricane will be moving through an environment of low vertical wind shear, a moist mid-level atmosphere, and increasing upper-ocean heat content, additional intensification is likely. The only expected impediment to strengthening should be eyewall replacement cycles, which are difficult to predict. The official intensity forecast is very close to the latest model consensus, ICON. Although the consensus of the guidance shows slight weakening in the 96- to 120-hour time frame, Irma is forecast to remain a powerful hurricane throughout the 5-day forecast period.

Center fixes from the aircraft indicate a westward motion of about 270/11 kt. Irma should turn toward the west-northwest tomorrow while it is steered by the flow to the south of a mid-level ridge.
A broad trough is forecast to amplify over the eastern U.S. in 72 hours and then lift northeastward leaving a weakness in the ridge to north of the hurricane. This should cause a slowing of the forward speed near the end of the forecast period. The official track forecast is similar to the previous one and is close to the model consensus.

Users are reminded to not focus on the exact forecast track, especially at the longer ranges, since the average NHC track errors are about 175 and 225 statute miles at days 4 and 5, respectively.

KEY MESSAGES:

1. Irma is expected to affect the northeastern Leeward Islands a dangerous major hurricane, accompanied by life-threatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall impacts. Hurricane warnings are in effect for portions of the Leeward Islands. Preparations should be rushed to completion, as tropical-storm force winds are expected to first arrive in the hurricane warning area by late Tuesday.

2. Irma is also expected affect the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as a dangerous major hurricane later this week. Hurricane warnings have been issued for these areas, and tropical-storm-force winds could arrive in these areas by early Wednesday.

3. Irma could directly affect Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Cuba as a dangerous major hurricane later this week. Residents in these areas should monitor the progress of Irma and listen to advice given by officials.

4. There is an increasing chance of seeing some impacts from Irma in the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys later this week and this weekend. Otherwise, it is still too early to determine what direct impacts Irma might have on the continental United States. However, everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 05/0300Z 16.7N 55.6W 120 KT 140 MPH
12H 05/1200Z 16.9N 57.4W 125 KT 145 MPH
24H 06/0000Z 17.5N 60.0W 130 KT 150 MPH
36H 06/1200Z 18.3N 62.7W 130 KT 150 MPH
48H 07/0000Z 19.3N 65.5W 125 KT 145 MPH
72H 08/0000Z 21.2N 71.0W 120 KT 140 MPH
96H 09/0000Z 22.5N 76.0W 115 KT 130 MPH
120H 10/0000Z 24.0N 80.0W 115 KT 130 MPH


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.


Friday, September 8th at 1:00 pm

BUTTERFLY WALK AT HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION

James T. Costa, Ph.D. will lead a free nature walk with an emphasis on butterflies at 1 pm Friday Sept. 8 at the Highlands Biological Station, 265 N. 6th St. Highlands. He is Director of the research station and a biology professor at Western Carolina University. For those who want to carpool from Franklin, we will meet at Bi-Lo's parking lot at 12:15 pm. Please email Renee at Rubinlive@gmail.com if you are interested so you may be informed of any changes due to weather.
In addition, Dr. Costa will speak at 6:30 pm Sept. 8 at City Lights in Sylva about his new book, Darwin's Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory.

The Future Farmers of America are selling Raffle Tickets
More information is posted below:

Support Franklin FFA (Future Farmers of America)
!!! RAFFLE TICKETS !!!!

$5.00 a ticket or 5 for $20.00

Winner announced & does not be present at The Macon County Fair 2017
September 13-16, 2017 at The Wayne Proffitt Agriculture Center - Macon County Fairgrounds, 1436 Georgia Rd, Franklin NC 28734
Raffle is for Adventure Package, valued at $300.00...

Items are:
1. Cargo Carrier ( donated by Ultimate Truck Accessories) - can be used atop an SUV/Van or rear hitch
2. Foldable Camp Chairs in Camo with Table
3. Burn Fire Log (Swedish Flame Torch)
4. Lighter
5. Heavy Duty Flashlight
6. "Over the flame" cooking basket
7. Roasting Sticks
8. Bug Spray

We thank Appalachian Ace Hardware for their support.

*All proceeds go to Franklin FFA & FHS Ag Dept*
Contact Gregory Charles Spala via FB or 813-838-7693 text or call
Or Lori Spala via FB or 813-503-2160


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 6:43 a.m.
Sunrise 7:09 a.m.
Sun transit 1:32 p.m.
Sunset 7:54 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:20 p.m.


Moon

Moonrise 7:10 p.m. last night
Moon transit 12:43 a.m.
Moonset 6:21 a.m.
Moonrise 7:47 p.m.


Phase of the Moon on September 5, 2017: Waxing Gibbous with 100% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: Full Moon on September 6, 2017 at 3:03 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 3:52 am on September 5, 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.