Weather Briefing for Monday, March 31, 2025

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

Shower and thunderstorm are expected to cross the area today ahead of an approaching cold front. A few of these storms could be severe. The front pushes thru tonight, and ushers in dry high pressure for Tuesday. The high will settle off the Southeast coast and keep warm southerly flow across the region, resulting in well-above-normal temperatures through the end of the week.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

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DAY SPONSOR

Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY...Cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Showers likely, mainly in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Breezy, cooler with lows in the upper 30s. Winds out of the northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TUESDAY...Patchy fog in the morning. Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Winds out of the west 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning.
..TUESDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight.
..WEDNESDAY...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs around 60.
..WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Near steady temperatures in the upper 50s.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

A line of showers and thunderstorms associated with a cold front is expected to move across the area from west to east early this afternoon through early evening. Some of these storms may be strong to severe with damaging winds being the main threat. Also large hail and isolated tornadoes will be possible.

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NEWS UPDATES

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• LIVE UPDATES (March 30): Alarka Five Fire now 37% contained at 1,511 acres [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Federal cuts, NC tax cuts leave legislators wrestling with how to solve projected deficit [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• NC man says his Jan. 6 pardon from Trump means child porn charges should be dropped too [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Helene 2024 FINAL REPORT (107-page PDF) [NOAA]

• What to do after a wildfire? Here's what to do if your property is damaged [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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• Musk claims otherwise, but the Trump administration’s spending is on track to surpass Biden’s [ MarketWatch ]

Trump won’t rule out 3rd term: Report | ABC News



Myanmar rescuers race against time as experts fear deaths could reach 10,000 | DW News



• Oliver Stone to testify at House hearing on JFK files [The Hill]

• Elon Musk hands out $1 million payments after Wisconsin Supreme Court declines request to stop him [ AP News ]

• Germany decides to leave history in the past and prepare for war [BBC News]

• Iran rejects direct talks with U.S. over its nuclear program [ UPI ]


• Iran Officials Allegedly Steal $21 Million in Crypto While 'Investigating' Corruption [Decrypt]

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NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Investigation Pages

• Learjet 55 Medevac Crash [1/31/2025 - Philadelphia, PA]

• Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky H-60 Military Helicopter [1/29/2025 - Arlington, VA]

---

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Support Macon Media

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.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5.00am on Monday, March 31, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Weather Briefing for Sunday, March 30, 2025

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

Shower and thunderstorm chances increase today as cold front approaches from the west. The front will cross the area Monday, bringing the potential for strong to severe storms. Dry high pressure returns Tuesday, then becomes established off the East Coast, resulting in well above normal temperatures across the region late in the week.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

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DAY SPONSOR

This space available

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY...Cloudy. Scattered showers this morning, then numerous showers this afternoon. Patchy fog. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times this morning. Highs in the lower 60s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TONIGHT...Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Patchy fog. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..MONDAY...Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
..MONDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with showers likely in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Cooler with lows around 40. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
..TUESDAY...Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Winds out of the north 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon.
..TUESDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh NC has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates for Buncombe, Haywood, Swain, Macon, and Rutherford Counties, until midnight EDT tonight.

An Air Quality Action Day means that Fine Particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

A line of showers and thunderstorms associated with a cold front is expected to move across the area early Monday afternoon through early Monday evening. Some of these storms may be strong to severe with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

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NEWS UPDATES

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• Burn ban issued for all North Carolina counties due to hazardous forest fire conditions [Macon Media (Franklin, NC)]

• LIVE UPDATES (March 29): Swain County evacuations lift, Alarka Five containment increases [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending March 27 [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• New on the Appalachian Trail: Rafts ferry hikers where Helene destroyed a bridge [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Helene 2024 FINAL REPORT (107-page PDF) [NOAA]

• Forecasted rain will help contain raging wildfires in western North Carolina [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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• Crowds Turn Out Across the U.S. for ‘Tesla Takedown’ Protests [Wired]

Israeli intelligence angry over Signal chat leak | Face the Nation



Why scientists warn against the US plans to let the bird flu virus spread unchecked | DW News



• Shouted questions at Trump have consequences: New actions by White House [The Hill]

• Myanmar quake death toll rises to 1,644 as resistance movement announces partial ceasefire [ AP News ]

• JD Vance's ominous pitch to Greenland [BBC News]

• Wisconsin attorney general sues to stop Musk's $1 million payments to voters [ UPI ]


• Bitcoin Price Wavers, Altcoins Plunge as Inflation Heats Up [Decrypt]


• Trump's 'sustained campaign of attacks on US universities & science will take years to recover from' [DW News]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Investigation Pages

• Learjet 55 Medevac Crash [1/31/2025 - Philadelphia, PA]

• Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky H-60 Military Helicopter [1/29/2025 - Arlington, VA]

---

---

Support Macon Media

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.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5.00am on Friday, March 28, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Weather Briefing for Saturday, March 29, 2025

[click the image to embiggen to a larger size] 
DOWNLOAD MAP OF ALARKA FIVE PERIMETER AND EVAC ZONES

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

High pressure will drift further off the East Coast, allowing a gradual increase in moisture and above normal temperatures to the region. Shower and thunderstorm chances return Sunday into Monday as a cold front crosses the area from the west. Dry high pressure returns Tuesday, followed by another approaching front Wednesday into Thursday.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

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DAY SPONSOR



Macon Media is being underwritten today by Franklin Office Supply. Visit their store at 161 Highlands Road in Franklin or check out their website at https://franklinofficesupply.com/

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
..TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening. Chance of rain 50 percent.
..SUNDAY...Showers. Highs in the lower 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..SUNDAY NIGHT...Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 90 percent.
..MONDAY...A chance of thunderstorms. Showers. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
..MONDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with showers in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Cooler with lows in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 90 percent.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER



...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh NC has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates for Haywood, Swain, Macon, McDowell, and Rutherford Counties, until midnight EDT tonight.

An Air Quality Action Day means that Fine Particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. For additional information, please visit the North Carolina Division of Air Quality Web site at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/.

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...

The combination of gusty winds and dry fuels will keep the potential for increased fire danger in place today.

A cold front crosses the area Monday bringing showers and scattered thunderstorms. Some of the storms could become severe with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats.

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NEWS UPDATES

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• DEQ Extends Purple Air Quality Forecasts in Western NC Due to Wildfires; Code Orange in Macon County [Macon Media]

• Burn ban issued for all North Carolina counties due to hazardous forest fire conditions [Macon Media (Franklin, NC)]

• Alarka Five Fire scorches over 1,000 acres; some residents remain evacuated [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• (video) If dog is your co-pilot, you could face a fine [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• Pets and livestock evacuations from NC wildfires prompt volunteer efforts [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Helene 2024 FINAL REPORT (107-page PDF) [NOAA]

• Western NC wildfires updates Friday, March 28: See the latest from around the region [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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• Visiting Greenland, Vance Finds the Weather and the Reception Chilly [ New York Times ]

As Trump targets major law firms, some choose to make deals and others to fight back | NBC News



Washington Today (3-28-25): VP Vance in Greenland: 'we don't think military force will be necessary’ | C-SPAN



• Bannon: Trump ‘going to prison’ if Democrat wins White House in 2028 [The Hill]

• Myanmar’s earthquake death toll jumps to over 1,000 as more bodies recovered from the rubble [ AP News ]

• Vance scolds Denmark during Greenland trip [BBC News]

• Report: US scientists lost $3 billion in NIH grants since Trump took office [ Ars Technica ]


• Elon Musk Folds X Into xAI, Creating a $113 Billion Juggernaut [Decrypt]


• US vows 'ironclad' support to Philippines, eyes China [DW News]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Investigation Pages

• Learjet 55 Medevac Crash [1/31/2025 - Philadelphia, PA]

• Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky H-60 Military Helicopter [1/29/2025 - Arlington, VA]

---

---

Support Macon Media

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.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5.00am on Saturday, March 29, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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Moderate drought expands in western North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE (03-28-2025)

NC DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council expanded the moderate drought classification to include 70 counties in the latest advisory released Thursday. 

The DMAC classified all or parts of 70 counties as experiencing moderate drought (D1 classification), while parts of Onslow County were classified as experiencing severe drought (D2). DMAC classified another 27 counties as abnormally dry. 

“North Carolina saw another week of below or well below average rainfall,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC. “Impacts from the slow-growing, but widespread, drought had been limited due to lower water demands in winter, but are starting to be felt. Low humidity, high winds and dry vegetation have contributed to increased wildfire activity and impacts to agriculture.” 

Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 8 a.m. Friday, March 21, until further notice.   

DMAC is a collaboration of drought experts from various government agencies in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, and organized by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR). Members of DMAC meet weekly and submit their drought condition recommendations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Drought Mitigation Center for updates to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a map of the nation’s drought conditions. DMAC’s drought map is updated weekly on Thursdays, based on conditions through the previous Tuesday.  

To view North Carolina’s drought map, visit www.ncdrought.org.To learn more, visit https://www.ncdrought.org/education. 

D1 Moderate Drought

• Adhere to local water use restrictions.
• Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
• Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories at ncdrought.org.
• Project water needs and available water supply for a ninety day period from the issuance of this advisory.
• Assess your vulnerability to the drought conditions and adjust water usage to prolong available supply.
• Inspect water delivery system components (e.g. irrigation lines, fixtures, processing equipment, water system lines, etc.), repair leaks and ensure that existing equipment is operating as efficiently as possible.
• Minimize nonessential uses of water.
• Implement available public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water.

Read More

Weather Briefing for Friday, March 28, 2025

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

High pressure will drift further off the East Coast, allowing a gradual increase in moisture and above normal temperatures to the region. Shower and thunderstorm chances return Sunday into Monday as a cold front crosses the area from the west. Dry high pressure returns Tuesday, followed by another approaching front Wednesday into Thursday.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

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DAY SPONSOR



Macon Media is being underwritten today by Franklin Office Supply. Visit their store at 161 Highlands Road in Franklin or check out their website at https://franklinofficesupply.com/

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph this afternoon.
..TONIGHT...Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Winds out of the south around 5 mph.
..SATURDAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
..SATURDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
..SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
..SUNDAY NIGHT...Showers likely. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...

Very dry conditions are expected to continue this afternoon, with minimum relative humidity in the 20-25% range across most of the region. Wind gusts of 20-25 mph are expected during the afternoon, along with very dry fuels. Therefore, enhanced fire danger conditions will continue. A statewide burn ban remains in place in North Carolina until further notice. Be sure to remind your non-internet and non-news watching neighbors and friends of this.

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NEWS UPDATES

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• DEQ Extends Purple Air Quality Forecasts in Western NC Due to Wildfires; Code Orange in Macon County [Macon Media]

• Burn ban issued for all North Carolina counties due to hazardous forest fire conditions [Macon Media (Franklin, NC)]

• Residents evacuated as resources pour in to combat highest-priority fires in the U.S. [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• 'We're going to feel the impacts': NC Health Department blindsided by $100 million federal funding cuts, 80 jobs lost [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• NC Senate passes health care overhaul that would crack down on ‘surprise billing’ [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Helene 2024 FINAL REPORT (107-page PDF) [NOAA]

• Western NC wildfires updates: See details on multiple fires in the region [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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• Trump Admin Plans to Cut Team Responsible for Critical Atomic Measurement Data [ Wired ]

RFK Jr. cutting over 20,000 Health and Human Services jobs | ABC News



Washington Today (3-27-25): HHS Sec says 'sprawling bureaucracy' dept. to be reorganized, downsized | C-SPAN



• Trump administration moves to end union rights for many federal workers [The Hill]

• Trump executive order on Smithsonian targets funding for programs with ‘improper ideology’ [ AP News ]

• Canada PM Mark Carney says old relationship with US 'is over' [BBC News]

• Measles quickly spreading in Kansas counties with alarmingly low vaccination [ Ars Technica ]


• SEC Officially Drops Cases Against Kraken, ConsenSys, and Cumberland DRW [Decrypt]


• French, British urge ‘reassurance force’ for Ukraine [DW News]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Investigation Pages

• Learjet 55 Medevac Crash [1/31/2025 - Philadelphia, PA]

• Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky H-60 Military Helicopter [1/29/2025 - Arlington, VA]

---

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Support Macon Media

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.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5.00am on Friday, March 28, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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DEQ Extends Purple Air Quality Forecasts in Western NC Due to Wildfires; Code Orange in Macon County

 

PRESS RELEASE (03-27-2025)

NC DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

RALEIGH – Smoke from South Carolina wildfires has the potential to create very unhealthy air quality in Transylvania and Henderson Counties on Friday, and other nearby counties, including Buncombe County, may also experience unhealthy air quality from smoke. Residents are urged to take precautions.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is forecasting the following Air Quality Action Days for Friday:

• Code Purple for Transylvania and Henderson counties
• Code Red for Buncombe, Swain and Polk counties
• Code Orange for Henderson, Rutherford and Macon counties

These forecasts will be in effect starting at midnight tonight and remain all day Friday, but may be modified or extended. For the most up-to-date air quality forecast information, visit the Air Quality Portal.

Several Code Purple, Red and Orange Air Quality Action Day forecasts remain in effect through midnight Thursday. (See image for Thursday's update forecast below).

Code Purple is very unhealthy air quality. The general public is urged to avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Sensitive groups particularly susceptible to health impacts, including children, older adults and people with asthma or heart conditions, should avoid all outdoor physical activity in these conditions.

Code Red means prolonged exposure to the air may be unhealthy for anyone. All residents should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors and taking more breaks. Anyone sensitive to air pollution should avoid long or intense outdoor activities.

Code Orange signifies air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults and people with asthma or heart conditions should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, take more breaks and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

The Table Rock fire in South Carolina is producing prodigious amounts of smoke that may be carried northward into North Carolina on Friday. Additionally, several other wildfires continue to produce smoke in the region, including multiple fires in Polk County.

Smoke can carry elevated levels of fine particulate matter, or PM_2.5, which consists of particles smaller than the width of a human hair. These particles can reach deep into the lungs and aggravate asthma and other lung conditions and have been linked to heart conditions.

DEQ’s website has a list of resources for keeping safe around wildfire smoke.

State law prohibits the open burning of yard waste or land clearing debris on Air Quality Action Days of Code Orange or above. To report violations of the open burning rules, contact the DAQ regional office that serves your county. This restriction is in addition to any local or state burn bans. The N.C. Forest Service on Thursday issued a burn ban for all of North Carolina.

Read More

Weather Briefing for Thursday, March 27, 2025

[Click on the image to embiggen it to a larger size]

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GENERAL OUTLOOK

Dry high pressure slowly slides eastward through Saturday, keeping mostly dry weather and fire danger in place. Rain chances return Sunday into Monday as a cold front approaches out of the west. Dry high pressure returns Tuesday into Wednesday.

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WEATHER SPONSOR

This space available

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DAY SPONSOR

This space available

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GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

.TODAY...Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph.
..TONIGHT...Partly cloudy. Not as cool with lows in the upper 40s. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph.
..FRIDAY...Partly sunny. Highs around 70. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
..FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. Winds out of the south around 5 mph.
..SATURDAY...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s.
..SATURDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 50s.

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HAZARDOUS WEATHER

...INCREASED FIRE DANGER FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...

This afternoon will again be very dry, with minimum relative humidity in the 15-20% range across most of the region. While winds aren`t expected to be as strong, gusts of 10-15mph are expected during the afternoon, along with very dry fuels and multiple ongoing wildfires. Therefore, enhanced fire danger conditions will continue.

A statewide burn ban remains in place in both North Carolina and South Carolina until further notice. For northeast Georgia, consult your local burn- permitting authority on whether or not you may burn outdoors. If you do burn in Georgia, please exercise extreme caution.

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NEWS UPDATES

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• Burn ban issued for all North Carolina counties due to hazardous forest fire conditions [Macon Media (Franklin, NC)]

• Gov. Josh Stein declares State of Emergency as wildfires ravage western North Carolina [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Firefighters make progress on containing some Carolina wildfires, but others grow [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) ]

• NCDHHS to lose more than 80 jobs, $100M after Trump administration cuts COVID funds [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Helene 2024 FINAL REPORT (107-page PDF) [NOAA]

• Western NC wildfires updates: See details on multiple fires in the region [Asheville Citizen-Times]

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• Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal [ The Atlentic ]

The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Our Editor Their War Plans | The Atlantic



• How the Signal ‘group chat’ furor has affected the 5 biggest players [The Hill]

White House: group chat including journalist didn't discuss war plans | WMUR-TV



• Canadian PM Mark Carney calls Trump’s new auto tariffs ‘a direct attack’ [The Hill]

• Upcoming Private SpaceX Mission Will Boldly Go Where No Human Has Orbited Before [ Gizmodo ]

• Hyundai shows off its new $7.6B electric vehicle plant in Georgia as Trump announces tariffs [ AP News ]

Washington Today (3-26-25): Atlantic publishes Signal group chat texts on Houthi military strikes | C-SPAN



More evacuations, state of emergency declared in WNC as wildfires continue to spread | WLOS-TV




• President Trump to Sign Repeal of Controversial DeFi Broker Rule [Decrypt]


• 'They invited me - now they're attacking me': Signal chat journalist speaks to BBC [BBC News]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) Investigation Pages

• Learjet 55 Medevac Crash [1/31/2025 - Philadelphia, PA]

• Midair Collision PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 Airplane and Sikorsky H-60 Military Helicopter [1/29/2025 - Arlington, VA]

---

---

Support Macon Media

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.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 5.00am on Thursday, March 27, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More