Outlook
Canadian high pressure will remain to our north through Sunday as low pressure tracks across the Gulf Coast States to the Carolina coast. Expect temperatures to be well below normal into midweek. Precipitation will end as snow Monday night as the low moves off the North Carolina coast. All it will take for this event to go from a run-of-the-mill storm to a major and historic snow for us is for temperatures to be two or three degrees colder than forecast, so be mindful of that this weekend.
An open thread will be started on the News and Weather Facebook Page sometime this morning. [LINK] (this link will be changed to go to the specific thread when it is started.
A note about computer-generated snowfall forecast maps
Some computer models are still hanging on to showing over 20 inches of snowfall for Macon County. I (Bobby) suspect the models do not have enough resolution to give an accurate picture of conditions. A few high-resolution models only go down to 3 km by 3 km blocks of resolution and more than one use 32 km by 32 km blocks as their lowest resolution setting. Thus, they do not account for the 3,000-plus feet in elevation change that exists in Macon County, so they are just showing the conditions for the higher elevations.
Stay tuned to local weather sources to keep up to date with changes in the forecast. Official information on weather advisories, watches, and warnings from the National Weather Service is available online at is.gd/MACONWARN
If it snow, sleet, ice or freezing rain does fall in our area, please be mindful of safety, and consider leaving early so you can drive at a safe speed on area roadways. You might also consider canceling travel plans and stay off the roads so the NCDOT can better clear the roads. This would also serve to keep area roads and ditches clear so law enforcement, firefighters and EMS can respond to emergency situations instead of your fender bender or serious accident.
THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.
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 you with your with your next project.
Weather Hazards
A Winter Storm Warning will be in effect from noon today until noon Monday. Rain, Freezing Rain, Sleet, and Snow are expected in that time frame. Snowfall totals in the county are expected to range from 0 inches to 24 inches. More details are in the geographic-specific forecasts below. Be safe and stay off the roads after noon today because conditions could deteriorate rapidly once it starts to drop freezing rain or snow.
SAFETY TIPS AND HELPFUL NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS
There is a strong likelihood that we're in for a wintry event this weekend. You should make preparations today before noon in case it does happen. Macon County is under a Winter Storm Warning from noon today to noon Monday, a copy of which follows:
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
849 PM EST Fri Dec 7 2018
...MAJOR WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE REGION THIS WEEKEND...
.Cold high pressure along the East Coast will interact with a moist low-pressure system moving out of the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night into Sunday. Moderate to heavy precipitation will fall as a mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the region this weekend, and possibly linger into the early part of next week.
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO NOON EST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Most of the precipitation will be snow. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 18 inches are expected, with accumulations increasing from south to north and as elevation increases. Ice accumulations of around a tenth of an inch are also expected.
* WHERE...The mountains of southwest North Carolina, far northwest South Carolina, and far northeast Georgia.
* WHEN...From noon Saturday to noon Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult or even impossible. Road conditions will deteriorate Saturday night, with highway travel continuing to be impacted through early next week. Visibility may drop to less than a half mile during periods of heavy snow. A few power outages will occur. Widespread, prolonged power outages are possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible.
Please report snow and ice accumulations by calling the National Weather Service toll free at...1...800...2 6 7...8 1 0 1. Leave a message with your observation and the specific location where it occurred. You can also post your report to National Weather Service Greenville Spartanburg Facebook or tweet your report using hashtag #nwsgsp.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite source of weather information for the latest updates. Additional details can be found at www.weather.gov/gsp.
FEMA has a good guide to preparing for ice storms and tips also apply to snow storms. [LINK]
Stay tuned to local weather sources to keep up to date with changes in the forecast. Official information on weather advisories, watches, and warnings from the National Weather Service is available online at is.gd/MACONWARN
WEATHER FORECAST MAPS
Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]
FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST
Final Call: 3 to 7 inches at the town hall in Franklin by 7 pm Sunday. Higher elevations will see more, especially locations east of Franklin.
Today
Rain before 5pm, then rain and snow. Patchy fog. High near the upper 30s. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible in the Franklin area. Higher locations and areas east of Franklin may see more before 6 pm.
Tonight
Rain, snow, and sleet before midnight, then snow between midnight and 2am, then snow and sleet after 2am. Patchy fog overnight. Low around 30. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow before noon, then rain. High near 35. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
A chance of rain and snow before 10am, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
OTTO AREA FORECAST
Final Call: 3 to 8 inches in downtown Otto by 7 pm Sunday. Higher elevations may see double these numbers.
Today
Rain and sleet before 10am, then rain and snow between 10am and 11am, then rain after 11am. Patchy fog. High near the upper 30s8. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected. Locations above 3500 feet may see some accumulation.
Tonight
Rain, snow, and sleet before midnight, then snow between midnight and 2am, then snow and sleet after 2am. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 4am. Low around 30. Calm winds rising to come out of the east 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Higher elevations may see double that.
Sunday
Snow before noon, then rain. High near 35. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Higher elevations and location to the east may see double.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 30s. Most locations will stay above freezing. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST
Final Call: 12-20 inches by 7 pm Sunday. Southeastern facing slopes will see the most accumulation.
Today
Rain or freezing rain before 9am, then sleet between 9am and 10am, then snow after 10am. Patchy fog. High near 35. Calm winds early rising to come out of the east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 4am. Low around 25. Breezy, with winds out of the northeast 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow and freezing rain before 2pm, then freezing rain, possibly mixed with rain. High near freezing. Winds out of the northeast 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northeast 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday
Rain likely before 8am, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low in the upper 20s.
NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST
Final Call: 4 to 8 inches by 7 pm Sunday night with higher elevations in the running to see more.
Today
Rain. Patchy fog. High near 35. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain and sleet before 1am, then snow between 1am and 3am, then sleet after 3am. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 4am. Low around 30. Winds out of the east 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow and sleet before noon, then rain or freezing rain between noon and 1pm, then rain after 1pm. High near 35. Winds out of the east 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
Snow likely before 8am, then rain likely between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of snow after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around the upper 20s.
Macon County Almanac for December 8, 2018
Highest Temperature 76°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1956
Lowest Temperature 7°F in Franklin in 2006
Greatest Rainfall 3.46 inches in Highlands in 1924
Greatest Snowfall 2.5 inches in Highlands in 1963
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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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.
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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.
Published at 3:45 am on December 8, 2018
Remember to NEVER touch downed power lines.
Here is a Reminder of Helpful Phone Numbers:
Non-emergency reports: 369-9116
Highway Patrol Dispatch: 1-800-445-1772
Franklin Police: 524-2864
Highlands Police: 526-9431
Animal Control: 349-2106
Sheriff's Office: 349-2104
HOW TO REPORT AN ELECTRICAL OUTAGE
Duke Energy
Call 800.769.3766 or in Spanish 866.4.Apagón (866.427.2466).
If you see a fallen power line or safety hazard, call Duke Energy at 800.Power.On (800.769.3766) or in Spanish 866.4.Apagón (866.427.2466) or contact your local emergency services immediately. Do not touch a power line or anything in contact with it and keep others away until help arrives.
Haywood EMC
To report or inquire about power outages, call 1-800-951-6088
There is a strong likelihood that we're in for a wintry event this weekend. You should make preparations today before noon in case it does happen. Macon County is under a Winter Storm Warning from noon today to noon Monday, a copy of which follows:
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
849 PM EST Fri Dec 7 2018
...MAJOR WINTER STORM TO IMPACT THE REGION THIS WEEKEND...
.Cold high pressure along the East Coast will interact with a moist low-pressure system moving out of the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night into Sunday. Moderate to heavy precipitation will fall as a mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the region this weekend, and possibly linger into the early part of next week.
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO NOON EST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Most of the precipitation will be snow. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 18 inches are expected, with accumulations increasing from south to north and as elevation increases. Ice accumulations of around a tenth of an inch are also expected.
* WHERE...The mountains of southwest North Carolina, far northwest South Carolina, and far northeast Georgia.
* WHEN...From noon Saturday to noon Monday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be very difficult or even impossible. Road conditions will deteriorate Saturday night, with highway travel continuing to be impacted through early next week. Visibility may drop to less than a half mile during periods of heavy snow. A few power outages will occur. Widespread, prolonged power outages are possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible.
Please report snow and ice accumulations by calling the National Weather Service toll free at...1...800...2 6 7...8 1 0 1. Leave a message with your observation and the specific location where it occurred. You can also post your report to National Weather Service Greenville Spartanburg Facebook or tweet your report using hashtag #nwsgsp.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite source of weather information for the latest updates. Additional details can be found at www.weather.gov/gsp.
FEMA has a good guide to preparing for ice storms and tips also apply to snow storms. [LINK]
Stay tuned to local weather sources to keep up to date with changes in the forecast. Official information on weather advisories, watches, and warnings from the National Weather Service is available online at is.gd/MACONWARN
WEATHER FORECAST MAPS
Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]
FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST
Final Call: 3 to 7 inches at the town hall in Franklin by 7 pm Sunday. Higher elevations will see more, especially locations east of Franklin.
Today
Rain before 5pm, then rain and snow. Patchy fog. High near the upper 30s. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible in the Franklin area. Higher locations and areas east of Franklin may see more before 6 pm.
Tonight
Rain, snow, and sleet before midnight, then snow between midnight and 2am, then snow and sleet after 2am. Patchy fog overnight. Low around 30. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow before noon, then rain. High near 35. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
A chance of rain and snow before 10am, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
OTTO AREA FORECAST
Final Call: 3 to 8 inches in downtown Otto by 7 pm Sunday. Higher elevations may see double these numbers.
Today
Rain and sleet before 10am, then rain and snow between 10am and 11am, then rain after 11am. Patchy fog. High near the upper 30s8. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected. Locations above 3500 feet may see some accumulation.
Tonight
Rain, snow, and sleet before midnight, then snow between midnight and 2am, then snow and sleet after 2am. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 4am. Low around 30. Calm winds rising to come out of the east 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Higher elevations may see double that.
Sunday
Snow before noon, then rain. High near 35. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Higher elevations and location to the east may see double.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a low in the low-to-mid 30s. Most locations will stay above freezing. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST
Final Call: 12-20 inches by 7 pm Sunday. Southeastern facing slopes will see the most accumulation.
Today
Rain or freezing rain before 9am, then sleet between 9am and 10am, then snow after 10am. Patchy fog. High near 35. Calm winds early rising to come out of the east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 4am. Low around 25. Breezy, with winds out of the northeast 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow and freezing rain before 2pm, then freezing rain, possibly mixed with rain. High near freezing. Winds out of the northeast 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northeast 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday
Rain likely before 8am, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low in the upper 20s.
NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST
Final Call: 4 to 8 inches by 7 pm Sunday night with higher elevations in the running to see more.
Today
Rain. Patchy fog. High near 35. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain and sleet before 1am, then snow between 1am and 3am, then sleet after 3am. Patchy fog before 2am, then patchy fog after 4am. Low around 30. Winds out of the east 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow and sleet before noon, then rain or freezing rain between noon and 1pm, then rain after 1pm. High near 35. Winds out of the east 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely before 9pm, then snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
Snow likely before 8am, then rain likely between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of snow after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around the upper 20s.
Macon County Almanac for December 8, 2018
Highest Temperature 76°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1956
Lowest Temperature 7°F in Franklin in 2006
Greatest Rainfall 3.46 inches in Highlands in 1924
Greatest Snowfall 2.5 inches in Highlands in 1963
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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.
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.
Published at 3:45 am on December 8, 2018
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