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National News Roundup
COVID-19 News and Updates
Science and Technology
On This Day
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GENERAL OUTLOOK
A low-pressure system developing over the Ohio Valley will usher in a prolonged period of wet and stormy weather throughout the week as it drifts slowly over the Deep South. Numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms will develop east of this system over the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia continuing throughout the week, with locally heavy rainfall expected. Shower and thunderstorm coverage will diminish slowly over the weekend as the low pressure system lifts east.
GoFundMe for Scott Matthews
excerpt:
"Scott Mathews was diagnosed with Metastatic Stage 4 Colon Cancer in October 2022. Since then, he has battled fiercely and continues to do so. He has upcoming trips to Emory University Hospital for surgery and treatment. Scott has spent his life in service to others from pastoring churches in Swain and Macon counties to working within the Intellectual Developmental Disability, Older Adult and Veterans communities of Western North Carolina. He and his family have supported and contributed to many over the years. Scott is from the Tow String Community in Swain County. His wife Jeanne is from Jackson County. "
Visit the fundraiser at https://gofund.me/793ee9e6
---BEGIN SPONSOR SEGMENT---
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: https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC
All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help you with your next project.
---END SPONSOR SEGMENT------
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Local Weather
General Forecast Through Thursday Night
Franklin Area
Today
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s. Calm winds early in the morning increasing to come out of the east 5 to 10 mph by midmorning. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly after 5am. Patchy fog between 11pm and 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds oiut of the northeast around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog before midmorning. Highs in the mid 70s. Winds out of the east 3 to 6 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am, then a chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the south around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight. Chance of rain is 60%.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with highs near 80. Chance of rain is 70%.
Friday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s.
`Highlands Plateau
Today
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers after 9am. Patchy fog before noon. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the east 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly after 3am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the mid 50s. Winds out of the east 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the east 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 1am, then a chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 70%.
Friday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Partly sunny, with highs near 70. Chance of rain is 70%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers between 7pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain is 40%.
Otto and South Central Macon County
Today
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers after 9am. Patchy fog before noon. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the east 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly after 3am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the mid 50s. Winds out of the east 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of rain is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds out of the east 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 1am, then a chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain is 70%.
Friday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Partly sunny, with highs near 70. Chance of rain is 70%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers between 7pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain is 40%.
Nantahala Area
Today
Showers likely before 9am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 9am and 1pm, then showers likely after 1pm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs near 70. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of rain is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the east 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before midmorning. Highs near 70. Winds out of the east around 5 mph. Chance of rain is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am, then a chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with lows around 60. Winds out of the south 3 to 5 mph. Chance of rain is 60%.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s. Chance of rain is 70%.
Friday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with lows around 60.
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Hazards and Tropical Weather
A Flood Watch will be in effect through Thursday afternoon. Please usa caution on area rodways, and if you live in a flood-prone area, keep an eye out for rising water.
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1126 PM EDT Tue Jun 20 2023
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
* WHERE...Portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, including the following areas, in northeast Georgia, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun and Stephens. In western North Carolina, Macon, Southern Jackson and Transylvania. In upstate South Carolina, Anderson, Central Greenville, Cherokee, Greater Oconee, Greater Pickens, Greenville Mountains, Northern Spartanburg, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, Southern Greenville and Southern Spartanburg.
* WHEN...Through Thursday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- A low pressure system persisting near the southern Appalachians will keep deep moisture in place over the region. Numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue over the area overnight, Wednesday, and likely into Thursday, bringing periods of very heavy rainfall. An additional 3 to 6 inches of rain will be possible over the southern North Carolina mountains, Upstate South Carolina, and northeast Georgia through Thursday, falling on areas that have already received several inches of rain over the past 24 to 36 hours. This will make ongoing flooding worsen and likely cause new flash flooding to develop.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flood Watch for flash flooding means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall.
Low-lying areas adjacent to streams, including campgrounds, are especially vulnerable to flooding. If you live or are vacationing next to a stream, please have a plan in place to seek higher ground once heavy rainfall develops. Flash floods can occur quickly and overwhelm adjacent low-lying areas with little warning. Once the stream starts to rise, you may only have minutes to evacuate. Flash floods can cause catastrophic damage and be powerful enough to sweep away campers, vehicles, and mobile homes. Consider temporarily relocating away from streams until the heavy rainfall threat passes.
Latest US Drought Monitor Map for North Carolina.
Space Weather
A Filament Launch To Side-Swipe Earth | Solar Storm Forecast 07 June 2023
Back to Top • The Atlantic hurricane season has begun: What we know and what we don’t [ARS TECHNICA]
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
• The official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin is from June 1 to November 30, but tropical cyclone activity sometimes occurs before and after these dates, respectively. The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is September 10, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023
For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:
Active Systems:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Bret, located several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands.
1. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL93):
A tropical wave located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development of this system, and a tropical depression will likely form during the next couple of days while the system moves westward at 10 to 15 mph across the central tropical Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
Tropical Storm Bret Discussion Number 7
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL032023
1100 PM AST Tue Jun 20 2023
Bret has become a little better organized this evening, with increased convection near and north of the center and some outer bands developing in the eastern semicircle. This development has lead to satellite intensity estimates from TAFB and SAB increasing to 45 kt, and that will be the initial intensity for this advisory. Unfortunately, the ASCAT overpasses this evening again managed to miss Bret.
Satellite imagery continues to suggest some vertical wind shear is undercutting Bret's otherwise favorable looking outflow pattern and slowing the rate of intensification. This shear is expected to continue for the next 36 h or so, and the storm is forecast to continue to slowly strengthen during this time. The new intensity forecast calls for Bret to have a 55-kt intensity when it passes near or over the Lesser Antilles around the 48-h point. After that, stronger shear associated with an upper-level trough over the eastern Caribbean should stop intensification and cause Bret to weaken. Indeed, the global models continue to forecast the system to degenerate to a tropical wave by 96 h. The new intensity forecast will continue to have a 96 h point followed by dissipation before 120 h. However, it will show a faster weakening from 72-96 h than the previous forecast.
The initial motion is westward or 280/15 kt. There is again little change to either the track forecast guidance or the track forecast since the last advisory, with low- to mid-level ridging north of Bret expected to steer the cyclone westward through dissipation. Users are reminded that NHC's track forecasts have average errors of about 60 n mi at 48 hours, and it is too soon to know exactly where Bret's center will move across the Lesser Antilles chain.
KEY MESSAGES:
1. Bret is forecast to approach the Lesser Antilles through Thursday morning and then move across the islands Thursday afternoon and Thursday night as a tropical storm, bringing a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves along the coast.
2. Given the uncertainty in the track and intensity forecasts, it is too early to specify the location and magnitude of where Bret's associated hazards could occur. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia, and additional watches and warnings are likely for these and other islands in the Lesser Antilles on Wednesday.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
INIT 21/0300Z 12.5N 50.2W 45 KT 50 MPH
12H 21/1200Z 12.9N 52.3W 50 KT 60 MPH
24H 22/0000Z 13.3N 54.7W 55 KT 65 MPH
36H 22/1200Z 13.7N 57.5W 55 KT 65 MPH
48H 23/0000Z 14.0N 60.6W 55 KT 65 MPH
60H 23/1200Z 14.3N 63.9W 50 KT 60 MPH
72H 24/0000Z 14.6N 67.6W 45 KT 50 MPH
96H 25/0000Z 15.0N 75.0W 30 KT 35 MPH
120H 26/0000Z...DISSIPATED
TROPICAL TIDBITS
Tropical Tidbits is a website run by Macon Media's favorite no-nonsense tropical forecaster, Levi Cowan. He does not post material just to get clicks or to sensationalize the storms he covers to "make them more exciting." He is reliable and sober, unlike The Weather Channel crowd of Drama Queen Meteorologists.
Levi typically posts videos late in the afternoon or early before midnight on Youtube. [Youtube Channel]
[Tuesday] Bret Tracking Toward the Caribbean; Tropical Storm Conditions Expected (06-20-2023)
Tropical Storm Bret Heading for Caribbean While We Watch 93L June 20, 2023 | hurricanetrack
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Almanac
PM2.5 AQI is 45 (GOOD/CODE GREEN) for most of the county, and the ridges and other higher elevations PM2.5 AQI is 45 (GOOD/CODE GREEN)
Fire and Smoke Map
Local Air Monitor
Pollen levels are expected to be in the low range (0.5 out of 12) today with Grasses and Plantain being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be in the low range (0.1 out of 12).
Record Weather Events for June 21st
Record weather events for this date in Macon County
(1872-2016)
Highest Temperature 93°F in Franklin in 1953
Lowest Temperature 42°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1985
Greatest One-Day Rain 4.72 inches in Highlands in 1961
Greatest One-Day Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded on this date since record-keeping began in 1871)
Weather Extremes for Macon County for the month of June Data available from 1872
Highest Temperature 101°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 06-30-2012
Lowest Temperature 32°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on 06-02-1966
Greatest Rainfall 7.63 inches in Highlands on 06-16-1949
Greatest Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded during June in Macon County)
Record Weather Events for June 21st in North Carolina
Highest Temperature 106°F in Monroe, Union County in 1933
Lowest Temperature 34°F in Banner Elk, Avery County in 1940
Greatest One-Day Rain 5.10 inches in Lake Toxaway, Transylvania County in 1961
Greatest One-Day Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded on this date since 1872)
(the excessive rainfall was due to the remnants of Hurricane Gladys)
--> Weather Extremes for North Carolina for the month of June Data available from 1872
Highest Temperature 107°F in Carthage, Moore County on 06-23-1981
Lowest Temperature 23°F in Jefferson, Ashe County on 06-17-1917
Greatest Rainfall 12.41 inches in Belhaven, Beaufort County on 06-30-1962
Greatest Snowfall (no snowfall has been recorded during June in the state)
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Macon Calendar
(send your event to calendar@maconmedia.com)
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
Franklin Amateur Radio Club to Hold Annual Field Day in Highlands
The Franklin Amateur Radio Club (HAMS) will hold its annual Field Day at the Highlands Recreation Center on Saturday, June 24, 2 PM until 6 PM. The center is located at 600 North Street and 4 th Street.
Field Day is amateur radio operators’ (hams) open house. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill, service to communities and nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933 and remains the most popular ham radio event.
There are 190 ham radio operators in Macon County.
Anyone, regardless of residency, is welcome at Field Day.
Amateur Radio is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need. Anyone interested in learning about Ham radio is welcome. Portable radio stations will be up and operational around 2 PM. Contacts will be made worldwide. As well as in North America. This year the amateur radio operators will also be demonstrating Parks On The Air and Summits On The Air.
Parks on the Air® (POTA) sites are for international portable amateur radio operations that promote emergency awareness and communications from national/federal and state/provincial level parks.
Summits on the Air (SOTA) is designed to make participation possible for all Radio Amateurs and Shortwave Listeners - this is not just for mountaineers! There are awards for activators (those who ascend to the summits) and chasers who operate from home, a local hilltop, or other summits).
Both SOTA and POTA will have stations set up and operators to demonstrate what the hobby is about.
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Local and State News
• Rock stacking's hidden consequences: How a popular trend harms mountain wildlife [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]
• North Carolina AG threatens HCA with litigation [Asheville Watchdog]
• NC Senate votes to override four vetoes from Gov. Roy Cooper [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Video of NC Senate Discussion and Vote [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]
• Changes proposed to NC’s controversial anti-rioting law. Here’s what they mean. [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Town of Franklin Fourth of July Celebration Returns Tuesday, July 4th [Macon Media]
---Recent News Recap---
• NC gets tougher on power grid attacks after Moore County winter sabotage and blackout [Raleigh News and Observer]
• NC grid attacks scrutinized as congressional hearing addresses security [Raleigh News and Observer]
• Energy Subcommittee Field Hearing: “Enhancing America’s Grid Security And Resilience” | Field Hearing in Moore County, NC
• Van Repair Fundraiser [Macon Media]
Macon Media is still experiencing transportation issues and was unable to get to the courthouse to cover this months meeting. Here is the county-sponsored video of the meeting:
Macon County Commissioners Meeting 3-14-23
• HB259 NC House Bill Budget Substitute [PDF Download (640 pages)]
Proposed State Budget for 2023-2025 [Download PDF]
• Macon County Board of Commissioners March 2023 Regular Meeting [Macon Media]
-->
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National and World News Roundup
• Is the Social Safety Net a Long-Term Investment? Large-Scale Evidence from the Food Stamps Program [The Review of Economic Studies]
• ‘Banging’ sounds heard in search for missing Titan submersible [Seven Network]
• Navalny’s new trial on ‘extremism’ is held in secret, in a prison [Washington Post]
• Gannett sues Google, Alphabet claiming they have a monopoly on digital advertising [AP News]
Blinken: US Does Not Support Taiwan Independence | Bloomberg Quicktake
Myanmar Junta Combat Footage 9 | WarPig
• Hunter Biden reaches deal to plead guilty in tax, gun case [The Washington Post (via MSN)]
• Trump: I was too busy to sort through the boxes I took to Mar-a-Lago [Politico]
• Trump Real Estate Deal in Oman Underscores Ethics Concerns [New York Times]
• John Eastman faces disbarment proceedings in California over effort to reverse 2020 election [NBC News]
Trump does not fear going to jail: Bret Baier | Fox News
Washington Today (6-20-23): Hunter Biden reaches plea deal on federal tax and gun charges | C-SPAN
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