Hazardous Weather Outlook for Macon County for December 21st to the 27th

A period of unusually cold weather is expected for Macon County through at least the coming weekend. Here is what to expect:

Today, Tonight, and Tomorrow Morning 

A low-pressure system is expected to begin impacting the forecast area later today. A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow will be possible tonight into Thursday morning, with only minor snow and ice accumulations possible before precipitation changes over to rain.

Thursday through Tuesday.

Precipitation will change again over to snow Thursday night and linger into Friday across the mountains. Only light snow accumulations are expected, but roads may still be wet as temperatures quickly fall below freezing, resulting in areas of black ice by Friday afternoon. Arctic air will spread over the region Friday, producing strong, gusty winds and dangerous wind chill values that will continue through the weekend. Gusts of 35 to 55 mph may cause travel difficulties, downed trees, and power outages. Water in poorly insulated or open pipes could freeze due to the prolonged duration of the cold temperatures.

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, and we'll help you with your next project.

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Enhanced Chance of Severe Thunderstorms Later Today

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has identified our area as being at an enhanced risk of thunderstorms that may cross our area late this afternoon or sometime this evening depending on when things get fired up. If you plan on being outside late this afternoon or in the evening, keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to head indoors if storms do develop.


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.



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Published at 1:05pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2022

A copy of the Convective Outlook is posted below.

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1112 AM CDT Wed Apr 06 2022
...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS VICINITY...

...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms capable of producing swaths of damaging gusts, large hail, and several tornadoes are expected across the Southeast States and near the southern Appalachians this afternoon and evening.

...Southeast/Southern Appalachians ... A complex scenario is expected to evolve today across the Southeast states, with multiple instigators in place for convective initiation. Recent surface analysis places a remnant outflow boundary from about 15 miles north of AUO in east-central AL east-northeastward across central GA to AGS. Some deeper cumulus and a few lightning flashes have been noted along this boundary over the past hour amid persistent southwesterly flow and limited low-level moisture convergence. A second feature is the approaching cold front, which currently extends from western TN back southwestward into far southern AR. A well-defined gravity wave precedes this front, with the leading edge of this wave currently extended from middle TN southwestward through far northwest AL and central MS. Lastly, a compact shortwave trough just off the LA coast is readily apparent in recent water vapor imagery.

All of these features will result in the potential for complex convective evolution within the moist and buoyant air mass over the Southeast today. Current expectation is for initial development across central AL along and ahead of the gravity wave this afternoon. Additional development appears possible within the warm sector across central GA as well, particularly later into the afternoon as the gravity wave approaches. Furthermore, in situ initiation is also possible along the outflow boundary. All this development appears likely to occur around the same time this afternoon, with more of a linear mode favored on the gravity wave and more cellular development ahead of it. Thereafter, the outflow could then act as a corridor for further storm intensification/organization as all of these thunderstorms move eastward/northeastward. All severe hazards are possible with this evolution. Relatively dry mid-levels will contribute to an outflow-dominant storm structure within most of the cellular development. Steep mid-level lapse rates will promote hail in any robust updrafts. Veering low-level flow with height, while not overly strong, is strong enough to support the potential for QLCS tornadoes.

Farther north (from middle TN into the southern Appalachians), initiation appears more probable along the cold front itself, and not the preceding gravity wave. Clearing is already occurring across parts of middle TN and the expectation is for moderate buoyancy to develop ahead of the front, with initial scattered development across middle TN before becoming more widespread over eastern TN and adjacent parts of northeast AL/northwest GA and eastern KY. As with areas south, all severe hazards are possible. Given the strong mid-level flow, hail is expected to be a risk throughout the afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts are possible within any bowing segments and a tornado or two may also occur, particularly if a robust updraft can mature ahead of main line of storms.

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