Daily Weather Briefing for Saturday, March 4, 2017

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

...Heavy snow possible over the Cascades, Sierras, Intermountain West...

...Well above normal temperatures for the Central and Northern Plains...

...Heavy rain and flash flooding possible across South Texas this weekend...

A cold front that moved onshore across the Pacific Northwest yesterday will continue to move slowly inland today, pushing across northern California and the Intermountain West, and then into the Rockies by Sunday. Onshore flow behind the front will direct moisture into the Coastal range, Cascades, and northern and central Sierras today. The slow motion of the front will lead to a prolonged period of moderate to heavy snow in these areas, as well as inland across the intermountain west and into the Rockies by Sunday. The coastal regions from Oregon to California can expect rain and thunderstorms during this time. Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of the Intermountain West, Pacific Northwest, and California for heavy snow.

While the cold front is pushing across the Pacific Northwest, west to southwesterly flow over the Continental Divide will lead to a warming and drying trend across much of the Central and Northern Plains. Temperatures will soar to as much as 20 to 30 degrees above normal, making it feel much more like spring. Strong high pressure will build over the eastern U.S., leading to below normal temperatures, however those will moderate toward the end of the period as the warmth pushes east.

On the western edge of this high pressure, strong return flow will be present, with a deep layer of warm and moist air filtering into Texas from the Gulf of Mexico. A mid level shortwave will interact with this unstable and water loaded airmass, sparking showers and thunderstorms across southern and eastern Texas today. These will spread eastward into the Lower Mississippi Valley Sunday, and then northward up the Mississippi Valley and into the Upper Great Lakes during the day Monday. The Weather Prediction Center continues to carry a slight risk for excessive rainfall and flash flooding across southern Texas for today. Please refer to our website for more information concerning the heavy rain threat. The rainfall and cloud cover will also lead to below normal temperatures across Texas today as well.

LOCAL OUTLOOK

Cool, dry high pressure will remain in control of the area before a warming trend commences ahead of a cold front early next week. The front will bring rain chances back into the forecast on Tuesday before a dry high moves back into the region to end the work week.

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.

THREE DAY OUTLOOK




TODAY

Sunny with temperatures starting out near the lower 20s and reaching the mid 50s by 3 pm and dipping to near 50 by 6 pm. Winds will be rising out of the northwest from near calm in the morning, then 5 to 7 mph from the northwest between noon and 7 pm. Relative humidity levels will dip below 30% this afternoon, allowing burnable material to rapidly dry out, so outdoor burning is not recommended today.


TONIGHT

Mostly clear with temperatures dropping from near 50 at 6 pm to about 30 by 6 am. Winds will be calm.




SUNDAY

Sunny with highs near 60 and calm winds in the morning increasing to 5 to 10 mph from the south in the afternoon.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Increasing clouds, becoming mostly cloudy before midnight. Lows in the upper 30s and winds out of the south calming before midnight.




MONDAY

Mostly cloudy with highs near 60 and winds out of the south. 20% chance of rain.

MONDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with highs near 60 and winds out of the south. 20% chance of rain.


HAZARDS


Hazardous weather is not expected today. Low relative humidity values will allow burnable materials to rapidly dry out, so please refrain from outdoor burning. If you do burn, please do not leave your fire unattended.


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


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4:55 am on March 04, 2017

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