Daily Weather Briefing for Friday, March 10, 2017

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

...Turning colder across much of the nation with a couple storm systems having snow potential...

A major weather pattern change is in the works across the nation as an upper level ridge builds over the western U.S. and a deep trough becomes entrenched across the East. Sprawling high pressure over Canada will continue oozing southward across much of the central and eastern U.S. through the weekend, bringing much colder temperatures that are more typical of January to locations east of the Rockies. Expect temperatures to drop on the order of 15 to 30 degrees compared to readings observed on Wednesday and Thursday with the passage of an arctic front.

Surface cyclogenesis is forecast to develop along this front on Friday near the New England coast and become a powerful nor'easter as it lifts northward across the Canadian Maritimes by Saturday. Accumulating snow is expected from Pennsylvania to southern New England with this system, with some locations receiving close to six inches of snow east of New York City. Another disturbance crossing the Plains and towards the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend will bring rain and thunderstorms back to the southern Plains and Deep South, and snow from the Midwest to Tennessee.

Elsewhere across the continental U.S., expect dry and pleasant conditions for the southwestern U.S. where upper level ridging will persist. Very cold conditions will continue across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest with a few snow showers possible, and some lake effect snow is also likely downwind of the Great Lakes given the strong cold air advection.


LOCAL OUTLOOK

A cold front moves off the east coast today as cold Canadian high pressure builds in from the north. Low pressure spreads rain and snow across our region Saturday night into early Sunday. Expect a brief period of dry weather Sunday night and Monday before another systems brings some increased chances for snow to our region Monday night and Tuesday.


THREE DAY OUTLOOK




TODAY

Decreasing clouds with highs near the mid to upper 50s. Winds will be out of the northwest from 10 to 20 mph, with a high wind field crossing the county between 8 am and 6 pm. Wind gusts during that time frame could reach 30 to 35 mph in the valleys, more at higher elevations. Scattered power outages are possible due to limbs and trees falling on power lines.


TONIGHT

Mostly clear with lows near 30 and winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph, decreasing to 3 to 5 mph after midnight. Winds will gust as high as 25 mph before midnight.




SATURDAY

Partly sunny with highs near the lower 50s. Calm winds early, shifting to come from the west in the afternoon.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Cloudy with lows near freezing and calm winds. 100% chance of precipitation, with rain expected before 2 am, the a mix of rain and snow. Less than an inch of accumulation expected below 3000 feet. 2 inches or more is possible above 3500 feet.



SUNDAY

Mostly cloudy with highs near the mid 40s. 60% chance of precipitation with rain and snow before 9 am, then all rain. Little or no additional accumulation expected.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy with lows near the mid 20s.


HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected today. The National Weather Service is calling for a winter weather event this weekend that may impact Macon County. It is my opinion that this event will be mostly to the north and east of us and that we'll not be impacted by this event because most of it will melt, leaving us with perhaps half an inch to an inch of snow below 3,000 feet. The mountain ranges should look pretty good Sunday with snow on them. The Hazardous Weather Outlook that has been issued by the National Weather Service for Macon County is posted below:

..SATURDAY...Winter weather possible. A cold front will bring much colder air to the region late Friday through Saturday. An area of low pressure is expected to develop across the Deep South over the weekend and spread moisture into western North Carolina beginning Saturday night, with snow developing.

..SUNDAY...Winter weather possible. Temperatures falling Saturday night will support mainly snow across the North Carolina mountains, especially along and north of I-40 and along the higher peaks. A significant accumulation of snow is possible at elevations above 3500 feet, and at least light accumulations are possible in the mountain valleys. There remains a great deal of uncertainty as to how much precipitation will fall and how it will interact with the cold air that may move into the area over the weekend.

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


MACON CALENDAR

If you have an event you wish to be added to this calendar, please send the information, along with a flyer of photo, to editor@maconmedia.com
There is no charge for civic, educational or non profit groups.

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,Schizophrenia, 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)

BENEFIT 4 BRITTANY & DIANE

Saturday, March 25 at 5 PM - 9 PM
at Cartoogechaye Elementary School

Learn more about it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1271875169584301/





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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 4:20 am on March 10, 2017

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