Daily Weather Briefing for Saturday, April 8, 2017

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

...Wintry precipitation will taper off across the Northeast overnight and into Saturday morning...

...Freezing temperatures expected overnight across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, as well as portions of the Mid Atlantic, bringing potential impacts to vegetation...

...A combination of rain, thunderstorms, and higher elevation snow will impact much of the western U.S. through the weekend...

...High wind warnings and advisories will remain in effect across the western U.S. through the weekend...

...Red Flag conditions across New Mexico through tomorrow...

A low pressure system will continue to track along the north Atlantic Seaboard over the next couple of days. As it lifts northward and away from the Northeast states, wintry precipitation should eventually come to an end throughout the overnight and into the day Saturday. Behind this low pressure system, a strong high pressure ridge has set in across much of the central conus. Cold air aloft from Canada will surge southward east of the Mississippi River behind the upper level trough. This will couple with the surface ridge moving in overhead, and allow temperatures to cool to below freezing overnight across much of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, eastward into the Mid-Atlantic. Freeze warnings and frost advisories are in effect for these areas.

Meanwhile, across the western U.S., a strong cold front will continue to track eastward across the region. This will interact with several disturbances near the Pacific Northwest coast, as well as a strong upper level trough and jet streak, which will pull abundant moisture inland from the Pacific. A combination of rain and thunderstorms can be expected across much of the western U.S. over the next couple of days. However, as you rise higher in elevation, precipitation should change over to snow. Winter Storm Warnings are currently in effect for the Sierra Nevadas of California for the weekend snow, where between 2 and 4 feet of snow will be possible along the highest crests, with additional winter weather headlines posted across portions of the Northern Rockies. In addition to the precipitation, this system is also ushering in some strong winds, generally from the west and southwest. Behind the cold front where moisture is present, Wind Advisories and Warnings are in effect from the Central and Northern Great Basin westward, as well as portions of the northern plains. However, ahead of the cold front, from the Central and Southern Rockies eastward through the plains, high winds are combining with much drier conditions. Red flag warnings have been posted across almost all of New Mexico through Saturday evening, as well as portions of western Wyoming, southern and central South Dakota, and western Nebraska through this evening.

LOCAL NEWS

Now Habersham has more information about the officer involved shooting that occurred on the Georgia Road on the morning of April 7th after a high speed chase. [LINK]

LOCAL OUTLOOK

Temperatures will be much below normal into the start of the weekend, then milder temperatures return into the first half of next week under dry high pressure. The next front will move in from the west on Wednesday, and may stall through the late part of next week.

Weather Almanac for April 8th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 84°F in Franklin in 1890
Lowest Temperature 16°F in Highlands in 2007
Greatest Rainfall 3.30 inches in Highlands in 1914
Greatest Snowfall 3.0 inches in Highlands in 1989



THREE DAY OUTLOOK




TODAY (Increased fire danger, outdoor burning is not recommended)

Mostly sunny with highs near the mid to upper 60s and winds out of the northeast. Outdoor burning is not recommended due to low humidity which will accelerate the drying out of burnable fuels.


TONIGHT

Clear with lows near freezing and light winds out of the north.



SUNDAY

Sunny with highs in the lower 70s. Calm winds early, then from the southwest in the afternoon.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear with lows near the lower 40s and winds out of the south calming after midnight.



MONDAY

Sunny with highs near the mid 70s. Calm winds early, then from the southwest in the afternoon.

MONDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy with lows near the mid 40s.


HAZARDS

No hazardous weather is expected. There will be an increased fire danger due to relative humidity levels dropping below 30% between about noon to 6 pm. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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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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 effecting 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.





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Published at 4:37 am on April 8, 2017

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