The Cold Wave of 1985
There is a lot of talk about the 'polar vortex' in the news like it is a new thing. It is not. Cold weather from the Arctic has impacted our region before, most notably during the cold wave of January 18-22, 1985.
The coldest temperature recorded in Macon County was -19°F in Highlands on January 21, 1985. On that day, it was -18°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station and -15°F in Franklin, the coldest readings recorded for those locations since official weather records began being kept in Macon County in March of 1872.
Read more about the 1985 cold wave at the following locations:
Mark Vogan Weather [LINK]
Wikipedia [LINK]
Wilmington, NC NWS Office [LINK]
Weather Underground [LINK]
And, for those who were here in January 2014, that cold wave impacted Macon County worse than the current cold wave. Here is a video shot of Dry Falls on January 24, 2014:
Outlook
Cold high pressure will remain ridged across the area today and hold temperatures below normal. The airmass will warm Friday through the weekend as the high-pressure center moves off the Atlantic coast. Moist flow also begins to increase by Sunday while temperatures continue to rise to above normal levels into early next week.
THREE DAY GFS FORECAST
This animated image shows a forecast of precipitation, air pressure and thickness level (cold-air damming) for three days in six-hour increments.
Green, Yellow, and Red indicate rain. Orange and Purple Indicate Freezing Rain or other freezing precipitation. Blue indicates snow.
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Weather Hazards
Other than colder than is seasonal, no hazardous weather is anticipated today in Macon County. The current cold wave is almost over and temperatures will be rising over the next week or so with the potential to reach the low-to-mid 60s by the middle of next week.
A Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service has been added below for your convenience and consideration.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
137 PM EST Wed Jan 30 2019
...VERY COLD AIR TO PERSIST OVER THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS THROUGH THURSDAY...
A cold, arctic airmass will remain over the region through Thursday. Expect temperatures to fall into the single digits to mid-teens overnight, with maximum temperatures on Thursday only reaching the upper 20s along the ridge tops and mid to upper 30s in the mountain valleys.
The cold weather will result in a high demand for electricity across the region. Power outages may result from the heavy electrical load. Those who require electricity for heating or medical equipment should consider backup heat or electrical sources.
Keep measures in place to protect your property and health from the extreme cold. If you go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf. If driving, keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Check your antifreeze and windshield washer fluid levels. Be sure to carry a fully charged cell phone.
If you are home, consider allowing indoor plumbing fixtures to drip to allow water to trickle through pipes and inhibit freezing. Use caution with space heaters in order to avoid fire or injury. If emergency generators will be used, they must be situated outdoors in well-ventilated areas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, remember to check in on family, friends, and elderly neighbors who might be susceptible to the cold. Do not forget about your pets and livestock. Make sure they have a source of water that will not freeze and a warm place to take shelter from the wind and cold.
Do not attempt to walk on frozen ponds, lakes, or streams, as the ice will not be thick enough to support the weight, even of a child.
A cold wave is defined as average daily temperatures 12 degrees or more below normal mid-January average daily temperatures for 48 hours or longer.
WEATHER FORECAST MAPS
Forecast maps for 7 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm.
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]
FRANKLIN AREA FORECAST
Today
Sunny, with a high near 40. Winds out of the northwest 3 to 6 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low in the lower 20s. Light and variable winds.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Calm winds early, the coming out of the southwest around 6 mph by midmorning.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around freezing. Calm winds.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near the upper 50s.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low in the upper 30s.
OTTO AREA FORECAST
Today
Sunny, with a high near 40. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low in the lower 20s. Calm winds before midnight, the rising to come out of the southwest after midnight around 5 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Winds out of the southwest 3 to 7 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Light and variable winds.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near the mid-to-upper 50s.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low near the upper 30s.
HIGHLANDS PLATEAU FORECAST
Today
Sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values as low as zero in the morning, then in the 20s later in the day. Winds out of the west 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near the lower 40s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around freezing. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near the upper 40s.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low in the upper 30s.
NANTAHALA AREA FORECAST
Today
Sunny, with a high near 35. Winds out of the west 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Winds out of the southwest 3 to 7 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near the upper 40s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low in the upper 30s.
Macon County Almanac for January 31, 2019
Highest Temperature 78°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2002
Lowest Temperature -6°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1966
Greatest Rainfall 3.51 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2013
Greatest Snowfall 5.0 inches in Highlands in 1899
Weather Extremes for Macon County for January
Data available from 1873 to Jan 29, 2019
Highest Temperature 78°F
At the Coweeta Experimental Station on Jan 31, 2002, and on Jan 28, 1999
In Franklin on Jan 1, 1952
Lowest Temperature -19°F in Highlands on Jan 21, 1985
On that day, it was -18°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station and -15°F in Franklin
Greatest Rainfall 5.10 inches in Highlands on Jan 12, 2018
Greatest Snowfall 14.0 inches in Franklin on Jan 1, 1877
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Published at 3:56 am on January 31, 2019
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