Daily Weather Briefing for Sunday, April 9, 2017

NATIONAL OVERVIEW

...Low pressure system tracking eastward across the Rockies and the Plains will bring a variety of weather impacts through the rest of the weekend and into the start of the workweek...

A pair of cold fronts will continue to track eastward across the western U.S. and then across the central and northern Plains as it evolves into one frontal system over the next couple of days. These frontal boundaries Will interact with several shortwave disturbances aloft and a strong jet stream, advecting abundant moisture inland from the Pacific Ocean. Rain and snow is expected to continue, with highest snow totals expected for the central and northern Rockies, Blue Mountains, Wasatch range, and the Sierra Nevadas through Sunday. Winter Storm Warnings are currently in effect for the mountains of western Wyoming and western Montana, as well as for the Sierras. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect elsewhere across the affected areas. In addition to the valley rain and mountain snow, strong and gusty winds are forecast for much of the western U.S. Wind gusts in excess of 40 to 50 mph has prompted wind advisories from southern California eastward across the Four Corners region. Hazardous fire weather conditions can be expected ahead of the front across eastern Arizona and much of New Mexico through this evening, where very dry conditions along with gusty winds will be present.

As the cold front continues eastward into the Plains on Sunday, expect rain and thunderstorm chances to develop, spreading eastward into the Mississippi Valley through Monday, while snow and rain across the west tapers off. Meanwhile, an arctic cold front is expected to drop southward from central Canada, impacting much of the north-central U.S. with much colder temperatures, windy conditions, and rain/snow chances to start out the workweek. Yet another area of low pressure is expected to move inland and across the Pacific Northwest during this time, bringing yet another round of coastal rain and inland snow to much of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Basin Monday into Tuesday.

Across the eastern U.S., temperatures will continue to moderate after a cold start to the weekend. Some locations in the Mid-Atlantic may see temperatures drop down below freezing once again tonight, with light winds and a strong ridge in place overhead. Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings are in effect due to possible impacts to growing vegetation. Otherwise, the eastern U.S. should enjoy a dry and mostly sunny weekend and start to the workweek.


LOCAL OUTLOOK

Dry and mild high pressure will dominate our weather through Tuesday. Then a cold front will move in from the west on Wednesday, bringing increased chances for rain, and may stall across the region through the latter part of the week.

Weather Almanac for April 9th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 86°F in Franklin in 2015
Lowest Temperature 17°F in Highlands in 1902
Greatest Rainfall 2.62 inches in Highlands in 1980
Greatest Snowfall 1.2 inches in Highlands in 1916



THREE DAY OUTLOOK




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

Sunny with highs near the lower 70s and calm wind early, increasing to come from the soth 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Relative humidity values will also drop below 30% between 2 pm and 6 pm.


TONIGHT

Mostly clear with lows in the low to mid 40s. Winds out of the south calming before midnight.



MONDAY

Sunny with highs in the mid 70s. Calm winds in the morning and winds out of the south in the afternoon.

MONDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear with lows around the mid 40s and winds out of thew south calming before midnight.



TUESDAY

Mostly sunny with highs in the mid 70s.

TUESDAY NIGHT

Mostly cloudy with lows near 50.


HAZARDS

No hazardous weather is expected. There will be an increased fire danger due to relative humidity levels dropping below 30% between about 2 pm 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


MACON CALENDAR

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

April 12

Bird walk along the Greenway. Meet at Big Bear Shelter parking area at 8:00 am.



APRIL 21 & 22

Franklin High School FFA Benefit Rodeo
Macon County Fairgrounds – 1436 Georgia Rd

Tickets available at the gate
$12 Adults
$6 Kids ages 5-10
Under 5 Free

Gates open at 6PM each night
Event starts at 8PM each night
Concessions available on site

Get there early for the best seating!

Saddle Bronc Riding
Bareback Riding
Calf Roping
Steer Wrestling
Ladies Breakaway Roping
Team Roping
Ladies Barrel Racing
Bull Riding

For more information, please visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1248793605202655/


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.




ASTRONOMY


Twilight Begins: 6:43 am
Sunrise: 7:09 am
Sunset 8:02 pm
Twilight Ends: 8:27 pm




Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous with 97% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated

Moonset 9:58 pm
Moonrise 6:43 pm


Evening Events and Planets

Chart shows sky at 10:30 pm tonight




Morning Events and Planets

Chart shows sky at 4 am tomorrow morning




Planet Position Summary



Sky Guides for this week

Sky and Telescope Magazine 
Astronomy Magazine


Earth Sky has an article on the eclipses of 2017. [LINK]

Heavens Above has an Android App that will assist you in observing the sky and even has a satellite tracker that will let you know when the International Space Station and dozens of other satellites are overhead. [LINK]

Stellarium is also an app that will assist you in observing the sky. It is available in both Android [LINK] and iOS versions. [LINK]



CROWD FUNDING 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.

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.

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. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.

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 4:00 am on April 9, 2017

#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety

Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, and the Weather Prediction Center.