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Friday, December 29, 2017

Daily Weather Briefing for Friday, December 29, 2017




LOCAL OUTLOOK

High pressure will build over the region and persist over the next several days. The high will become reinforced with a colder arctic air mass on Sunday bringing well below normal temperatures for early next week.


WEATHER SPONSOR





Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month. 


Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at:



All your masonry needs are available. Phone number is 828.524.8545, public is welcome, we’ll help with your with your next project.   


Weather Almanac for December 29th (1872-2016)

Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 73°F in Franklin in 1984
Lowest Temperature -10°F in Highlands in 1894
Greatest Rainfall 5.26 inches in Highlands in 1954
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 8.5 inches in Highlands in 1935




Record weather events for December in Macon County

Highest Temperature 78°F in Franklin on Dec 31, 1951
Lowest Temperature -12°F in Highlands on Dec 30, 1917
Greatest Rainfall 6.00 inches in Highlands on Dec 14, 1901
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 12.0 inches in Franklin on Dec 21, 1876




THREE DAY OUTLOOK



TODAY

Sunny with highs ranging from the mid-30s at the higher elevations to the lower 40s at the lower elevations. Winds 5 to 10 mph out of the northwest.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy with lows ranging from the lower 20s in the higher elevations to the upper 20s in the lower elevations. Winds 5 to 10 mph. Winds will be out of the northwest until around 9 pm, then they will shift to come out of the southwest until around 3 am, then they will return to blowing out of the northwest.



SATURDAY Wind chills below freezing

Mostly sunny with highs ranging from the mid-30s in the higher elevations and the lower 40s in the lower elevations. Wind chills will make it seem about 10 degrees or so colder at times. Winds 10 to 15 mph out of the northwest.

SATURDAY NIGHT Blustery with wind chills in the single digit range

Partly cloudy with lows ranging from the mid-teens in the higher elevations to the lower 20s in the lower elevations. Wind chills will be in the single-digit range at times. Winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts in the 30 mph range, mainly before midnight.



SUNDAY

Mostly sunny with highs ranging from the low to mid-20s in the higher elevations and the lower 30s in the lower elevations.

SUNDAY NIGHT Cold Wave Expected

Mostly cloudy with lows ranging from the single digits at the higher elevations to the 15 to 20 degree range in the lower elevations.

HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected today.

A cold wave is in the forecast for Sunday through the middle of next week. Temperatures will get dangerously cold overnight.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for a Cold Wave that is expected to impact our area from Sunday through the middle of next week. The information is posted below:

NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook

..SUNDAY...Cold wave possible. A very cold arctic air mass will move into the area Sunday and remain in place through the middle of the week. This will result in daily average temperatures up to 15 degrees below normal for several days in a row, creating the potential for prolonged dangerously cold conditions.

..MONDAY...Cold wave possible.

..TUESDAY...Cold wave possible.

..WEDNESDAY...Cold wave possible.

In light of the cold wave, here are some safety tips to keep in mind the next few days:

You can protect yourself and your household from the many hazards of a cold wave and winter conditions by planning ahead.

COLD WAVE PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

•As infrastructure could be affected, the following are additional items that may be considered:
•An alternate heat source with extra fuel. Ensure that there is proper ventilation. Never burn charcoal indoors.
•Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and make sure that the household knows how to use it.
•Prepare for possible isolation in your home. Keep a stock of food and extra drinking water.

WHAT TO DO DURING A COLD WAVE

•Stay indoors as much as possible.
•Listen to the radio, internet or television for weather reports and emergency information.
•Conserve fuel, if necessary, by temporarily closing off heat to some rooms.
•Eat to supply heat to the body and drink non-alcoholic beverages to avoid dehydration.

DRESS FOR THE COLD IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTSIDE

•Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
•Mittens are warmer than gloves.
•Cover your head as most body heat is lost through the top of the head.
•Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
•Use caution when working outdoors. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack — a major cause of death in the winter.
•Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose.
•Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion.
•If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get the victim to a warm location and remove any wet clothing. If conscious, warm the center of the body first by giving warm, non-alcoholic beverages. Seek medical help as soon as possible.

DRIVING DURING A COLD WAVE AND WINTER CONDITIONS:

•About 70 percent of winter deaths related to snow and ice occur in automobiles. Consider public transportation if you must travel. If you travel by car, travel in the day, don’t travel alone, and keep others informed of your schedule. Stay on main roads; avoid back road shortcuts.
•Winterize your car. This includes checking the battery, antifreeze, wipers, windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, oil level, and tires. Consider snow tires and keep your car’s gas tank full. Carry a basic vehicle emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle.

If you get trapped in your car: (some of this would apply if we had snow, but are good things to keep in mind)

•Pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio aerial or window.
•Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be careful: distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close but be too far to walk to in deep snow.
•Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a window slightly for ventilation. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe.
•Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coat for a blanket.
•Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.
•Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
•Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electrical energy needs — the use of lights, heat, and radio — with supply.
•At night, turn on the inside light so work crews or rescuers can see you.
•If stranded in a remote area, spread a large cloth over the snow to attract the attention of rescue personnel who may be surveying the area by airplane.




Macon Media maintains a Severe Weather Preparedness Page at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/p/breaking-news-hub.html for those who are interested.

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



GOES-16 ABI CONUS - 11.20 um (Rainfall)
Image Produced at 02:57 am



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. If you want text published, please include a paragraph with your photo, flyer or graphics. Please include date(s) and time(s).
There is no charge for civic, educational or nonprofit groups, except for groups or events that receive funding from the TDA, TDC, and EDC, where full rates apply.


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,8chizophrenia, 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)

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 impacting 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.



Sun and Moon


Sun

Begin civil twilight 7:13 a.m.
Sunrise 7:41 a.m.
Sun transit 12:36 p.m.
Sunset 5:30 p.m.
End civil twilight 5:58 p.m.


Moon

Moonset 3:32 a.m.
Moonrise 2:47 p.m.
Moon transit 9:40 p.m.
Moonset 4:40 a.m. tomorrow


Phase of the Moon on December 29, 2017: Waxing Gibbous with 84% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: First Quarter on December 26, 2017 at 4:20 a.m. (local standard time)


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. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

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



Posted at 3:09 am on December 29, 2017

#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety

Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, 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. 

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