Daily Weather Briefing for Sunday, April 22, 2018

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
***Flood Watch***
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
420 AM EDT Sun Apr 22 2018

...HEAVY RAINFALL LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT MAY PRODUCE FLOODING ACROSS PARTS OF THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA...

.A low-pressure system approaching from the west will be accompanied by abundant moisture. Strong southeasterly winds ahead of the system will wring out very heavy rainfall across the eastern slopes of the southern Appalachians and the adjacent foothills starting tonight and possibly lingering through Monday night. The duration of moderate to heavy rainfall may produce flooding along streams, creeks, and main stem rivers within the Watch area. Longer duration flooding along main stem rivers could linger into mid-week.



...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...



* Abundant moisture ahead of a low-pressure system slowly approaching from the west will yield heavy rainfall across the eastern slopes of the southern Appalachians and adjacent foothill areas tonight through at least Monday night. Rainfall totals of 3 to 4 inches are expected in many of these locations, with localized 4 to 6-inch amounts in the most upslope preferred areas of the eastern slopes of the mountains.

* Flooding may develop along streams, creeks, and main stem rivers, especially through the day on Monday. Flooding is most likely along the upper reaches of the French Broad River and associated tributaries. This Flood Watch may need to be expanded into adjacent piedmont areas if rainfall numbers are adjusted up any further. Additionally, flooding from the heavy rainfall could linger into Tuesday or beyond, especially along any main stem rivers that flood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts of heavy rainfall.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Consider moving vehicles and other property from known, flood-prone areas. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take quick action should flooding develop, including fleeing to higher ground.




EARLY VOTING

Early voting in the 2018 primary is underway with voting taking place at the Macon County Board of Elections Office in Franklin and at the Civic Center in Highlands. The last day to vote early is May 5th and election day is May 8th. For more information about the number of ballots cast and what offices have primaries, check out the articles listed below.


Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Exact hours of operation are posted on The Macon County Board of Elections Facebook Page. [LINK]



LOCAL OUTLOOK

Dry high pressure will dominate the local weather pattern this morning before giving way to a slow-moving low-pressure system that will bring copious amounts of rain to Macon County over the next couple of days. Rain chances gradually increase during the day today. A cold rainfall will become widespread tonight into Monday and persist through early Tuesday, resulting in significant accumulations. The remainder of the week may remain unsettled due to a series of cold fronts.


WEATHER SPONSOR



Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month.

Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/

All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help with your with your next project.





Weather Almanac for April 21st (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 87°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1963
Lowest Temperature 21°F in Highlands in 1901
Greatest Rainfall 2.13 inches in Highlands in 1931
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 1.5 inches in Highlands in 1901

Record Weather Events for April (1872-2017)

Highest Temperature 91°F in Franklin on April 26, 1986
Lowest Temperature 13°F in Highlands on April 1, 1987
Greatest Rainfall 7.00 inches in Highlands on April 7, 1895
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 9.5 inches in Franklin on April 4, 1987



THREE DAY OUTLOOK

The images below represent the daily forecast at 8 am for today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Click on any of them to enlarge.



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FRANKLIN AREA

TODAY

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers, mainly before 3am, then rain after 3am. Low around 48. East southeast wind 5 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

MONDAY

Showers. High near 53. East southeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

MONDAY NIGHT

Showers. Low around 50. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

TUESDAY

Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

TUESDAY NIGHT

A 30 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 49.
-----------------------------------------
OTTO AREA

TODAY

TODAY

A chance of rain between 8am and 3pm, then a chance of showers after 3pm. Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers, mainly after 8pm. Patchy fog between midnight and 3am. Low around 47. East wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

MONDAY

Showers. High near 53. East southeast wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

MONDAY NIGHT

Showers. Low around 50. East wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

TUESDAY

Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

TUESDAY NIGHT

A 30 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

---------------------------------------------
HIGHLANDS AREA

TODAY

A chance of rain between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers after 1pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 51. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog between 11pm and 3am. Low around 43. Breezy, with an east southeast wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

MONDAY

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 48. Breezy, with an east wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

MONDAY NIGHT

Showers before 11pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and midnight, then showers after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 46. Breezy, with an east wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

TUESDAY

Showers, mainly before 1pm. High near 54. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

TUESDAY NIGHT

A 30 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.

--------------------------------------------
NANTAHALA AREA

TODAY

A chance of rain between 8am and 1pm, then a chance of showers after 1pm. Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 57. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

TONIGHT

Showers, mainly before 2am, then rain after 2am. Patchy fog between 11pm and 2am. Low around 47. East southeast wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

MONDAY

Rain before 7am, then showers after 7am. High near 52. East southeast wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

MONDAY NIGHT

Showers. Low around 49. East southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

TUESDAY

Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

TUESDAY NIGHT

A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 48.

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Image Loop Not Available

GOES 16 GeoColor - True Color daytime, multispectral IR at night
11:42 pm last night am to 2:37 am this morning


HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected today. A flood Watch will be in effect from tonight into Tuesday morning. The full text of the watch has been posted at the top of this briefing.

Heavy rainfall with flooding is possible beginning tonight. A low-pressure system slowly approaching from the west will likely produce heavy rainfall across the region starting tonight and is expected to linger into Monday night.

Macon Media maintains a Severe Weather Preparedness Page at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/p/breaking-news-hub.html for those who are interested.

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



3:07 am this morning



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 graphics. 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.

FRANKLIN BIRD CLUB

April 25th Annual Birding Trip to Standing Indian

John and Cathy Sill will lead their annual birding trip to the Standing Indian area.
Meet at the Kmart parking lot (Westgate Plaza in Franklin) at 8:00 am to carpool up to Standing Indian with a few stops along the way.
Please sign up at 828-524-5234.

REVIVAL TO START WITH COVERED DISH SUPPER
Patton United Methodist Church, 119 Patton Church Road Franklin, will be starting their Revival this Sunday the 22nd at 6.30pm, with a covered dish supper beforehand at 5.30pm.
Pastor Dugar Strickland from Maysville Methodist Church in Maysville, GA will be leading their Revival. It will continue on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7pm.


OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

I am writing to thank the residents of Franklin, Highlands, and Macon County for spreading joy to children around the world this Christmas. Through the generosity of the Macon County community, 4,636 shoeboxes were collected; and the Western North Carolina Area Team was able to exceed our goal by collecting 20,038 shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The International total for 2017 was 11,012,840 shoeboxes!

As National Volunteer Week (April 15 – 21) approaches, I wanted to pass along information about an opportunity for Macon County residents to join a local volunteer team with Operation Christmas Child. This project of the international Christian relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, sends gift-filled shoeboxes to millions of children in need each year and gives local residents the opportunity to make a worldwide impact. “National Volunteer Week is a great time to become a part of this international project,” said June Trull, who heads up the Western North Carolina Area Team of Operation Christmas Child.“Joining an Operation Christmas Child Area Team is an amazing way to give back year-round and share God’s love with children in need.”



Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries since 1993. This year, the local Western North Carolina Area Team hopes to collect 21,000 shoebox gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in need.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Thank You
Brenda Hackett
Samaritan's Purse
Media Support
Western North Carolina Area Team
Operation Christmas Child
828-369-6674/ bjandhack@hotmail.com
samaritanspurse.org/occnewsroom






From Bully to Buddy, A Community Forum
Please note this forum is now taking place on the 26th of April

Bullying affects us all in different ways. Let’s work this out together.
Sincere invitations to the bully, the bullied and those in between — all ages — all genders Featuring: interaction, role playing, dialogue, discovery and direction (and some fun!)

This forum will be taking place on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 PM - 8 PM
pin in Tartan Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church Street, Franklin, NC

Join the event page on Facebook to find out more and to receive updates. [LINK]




Uptown Gallery classes
(These are on-going classes – repeat weekly)

Free classes and open studio times are being offered at the The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session every Tuesday from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm or on Thursday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

Bring your own materials and join an on-going drawing course led by gallery artists on Fridays, from 11am – 2 pm. For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at (828) 349 – 4607.




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 6:53 a.m.
Sun transit 1:32 p.m. (66.6°) (93.421 million miles away)
Sunset 8:11 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:37 p.m.

Day length 13 hours 17 minutes 19 seconds +2minutes 02 seconds from yesterday


Moon

Moonset 12:12 am
Moonrise 10:40 pm
Transit 5:56 pm (74.9°)
Distance 229,129 miles
Illumination 28.0%



Sky Guides for this week


Sky and Telescope Magazine 
Astronomy Magazine


There will be three solar and two lunar eclipses in 2018. [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]

CROWDFUNDING 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

3:35 am on April 22, 2018

#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.