Weather Briefing for Monday, February 02, 2026

---

• ...BLACK ICE EXPECTED THIS MORNING...

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]

---

SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2026)

Monday, February 2, 2026 will be a remote learning day for all Macon County Schools. If you have questions regarding remote learning assignments, please contact your child’s teacher. We will continue to communicate with all necessary departments to determine when roads will be safe to return to in-person learning.

---

NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK


.KEY MESSAGES...

1. Very cold temperatures and breezy winds overnight and into the morning. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for much of the area thru 9 AM, with a risk of hypothermia and/or frostbite if precautions are not taken. Widespread black ice is also expected thru the morning where roads have frozen over due to snowmelt on Sunday, causing hazardous road conditions.

2. Temperatures gradually warm thru the first half of the week. Precipitation chances return late Tuesday and linger into Thursday with mostly dry conditions expected for the remainder of the week.

---

WEATHER SPONSOR

Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.

It is time for new leadership in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I have the education and experience to successfully lead and represent the Office into the future. I will listen and respond to concerns of every citizen. I will ensure the employees have equal opportunities for promotion and transfer. Please trust me with your vote. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 828-371-4475, Facebook: Bob Cook for Sheriff. Early voting begins February 12, 2026, and the primary is March 3, 2026.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook Sheriff.

---

DAY SPONSOR

Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for today.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.

---

GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

..TONIGHT....Mostly clear. Cold with lows in the lower 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.. TUESDAY....Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

..TUESDAY NIGHT....Rain. Lows in the mid 30s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

..WEDNESDAY....Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

..WEDNESDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy. Cold with lows in the lower 20s.

---

HAZARDOUS WEATHER


...BLACK ICE EXPECTED THIS MORNING... 

 With temperatures below freezing across the region, areas of black ice are expected to remain on roadways this morning. If traveling, be prepared for hazardous road conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses as well as on untreated or shaded roadways. Use extra caution when walking on sidewalks, driveways, and in parking lots. Although temperatures will rise above freezing across most locations by afternoon, patchy black ice may linger across the higher elevations of the North Carolina mountains as well as in shaded areas throughout the day.

---

---

NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)

---

---

State and Local News

---

Snow drone footage | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



• Duke Energy urges customers to conserve power on Monday [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Can Trump, Stein picks survive NC primary elections? Races to watch [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Best Practice Makes Perfect: Spotlighting WNC educators [Mountain Xpress]

• NC Gov. Josh Stein urges caution, hopes families stay warm and kids play in snow [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Is North Carolina winter storm over? Snow totals, cold temp forecast [Asheville Citizen-Times]

---

World News

---

Peter Mandelson resigns membership of Labour Party | Epstein Files | Sky News



Gaza’s daily nightmare vs US talk of AI-driven smart cities | The Bottom Line | Al Jazeera



• Liveblog: Lord Mandelson resigns from Labour to save party 'further embarrassment' over Epstein links [BBC News]

• How far will China go to back Iran if the US strikes? [DW News]

• Japan taps rare earth-rich mud from deep-sea floor to cut reliance on China [France 24]

---

Russo-Ukraine War

---

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 01, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

Ukraine and SpaceX tighten controls on Russian Starlink access | TVP World



• Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1439: Russia strikes bus carrying energy workers, killing 12, as new Abu Dhabi talks approach [Euromaidan Press]

• Dmitry Trenin: America First goes global [Russia Today (Russian State-Controlled News Outlet)]

• Russia not interested in global conflict — Medvedev [TASS (Russian State-Controlled News Outlet)]

---

National News

---

• Supreme Court to Hear Trump Birthright Citizenship Case April 1 [Bloomberg law]

What led to partial government shutdown | CBS News



• Read the full indictment against Don Lemon, Georgia Fort and others charged in Minnesota [PBS News]

• FAA’s mobile no-drone zones create First Amendment concerns [Quill Magazine]

• The unprecedented challenge of prosecuting federal agents for killing Renee Good, Alex Pretti [Minnesota Star Tribune]

'He lived to help others': Alex Pretti's co-workers remember him at vigil | KARE-TV (Minneapolis, MN)



Meet the Press Full Episode — Feb. 1 | NBC News



• Supreme Court will hear birthright citizenship case on April 1 [SCOTUSblog]

• Trump says DHS won't respond to protests in Democratic-led cities until they 'ask for help' [Ground News]

• This week on The Hill: House races to end partial government shutdown [The Hill]

• Speaker Johnson faces tough choices as partial government shutdown drags and debate over ICE deepens [AP News]

• Trump announces two-year closure of Trump Kennedy Center for major renovations [Fox News]

• Liveblog: Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures plunge ahead of week defined by Trump's Fed pick, jobs data [Yahoo Finance]

• Why the catastrophe bond market is so hot right now [CNBC]

Gold, Silver Slump Sparks Domino Effect in Stocks | Daybreak Europe 2/2/2026 | Bloomberg Television



America's Book Club: Jon Meacham | C-SPAN



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - February 1, 2026



Capehart and Abernathy on the backlash against Trump's immigration operation | PBS News Hour

---

Technology and Science News

---

Completely Unknown Form of Extinct Life Discovered | 7 Days of Science

Extinction Event 450 Million Years Ago Is the Reason We Exist | Anton Petrov



• There’s life beneath the snow, but it’s at risk of melting away [ScienceNews]

• Perseverance Rover Discovers an Ancient Martian Beach, Complete with Waves [Universe Today]

• Your eBooks Don't Have to Look Boring, Calibre 9.0 Now has Shelves [It's FOSS News]

• This Week In Space podcast: Episode 195 — Remembering Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia [Space.com]

• xxx [Gizmodo]

• Inside Nvidia’s 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever [Ars Technica]

---

Crypto Currencies

---

Bitcoin Cliff Dwellers | Ben Cowen



• UAE Royal’s Alleged Stake in Trump Crypto Venture Raises Ethical Concerns [Decrypt]

• Crypto selloff is likely due to US liquidity drought: Analyst [Coin Telegraph]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and ASN (Aviation Safety Network) Accident Investigation Pages

• Cirrus SR22T Crash [09/18/2025 - Franklin, NC]

• Crash of N259UP at Louisville-Muhammad Ali International Airport [Aviation Safety Network]

---

---

Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.

Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 6.00am on Monday, February 02, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More

Weather Briefing for Saturday, January 31, 2026

---

• ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]

---

NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the entire area thru 7 AM Sunday. An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect for the entire area, starting at 1 PM Saturday over the NC mountains and running thru 1 PM Sunday, and starting at 7 PM Saturday elsewhere and running thru 10 AM Sunday.

.KEY MESSAGES...

1. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 7 AM Sunday as a significant winter storm will bring heavy snow to the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Cold temperatures during the event will lead to significant travel impacts across most of the region.

2. Gusty winds combined with very cold temperatures will lead to dangerously cold wind chills today through Monday. The bitterly cold wind chill could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.

3. Temperatures gradually warm through early next week with dry conditions returning across the region. Precipitation chances return by mid week.

---

WEATHER SPONSOR

Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.

It is time for new leadership in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I have the education and experience to successfully lead and represent the Office into the future. I will listen and respond to concerns of every citizen. I will ensure the employees have equal opportunities for promotion and transfer. Please trust me with your vote. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 828-371-4475, Facebook: Bob Cook for Sheriff. Early voting begins February 12, 2026, and the primary is March 3, 2026.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook Sheriff.

---

STORM SPONSOR

Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for the duration of this storm.

They offer 24 hr emergency service and Danger Tree removal.

They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Crane Service, Pruning, Views. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.

DAY SPONSOR


This space available

---

GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY....Cloudy. Areas of fog this morning. Snow, mainly this morning. Snow may be heavy at times this morning. Snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches. Colder with highs in the lower 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph, increasing to 40 mph this afternoon. Chance of snow 90 percent. Wind chill values as low as 6 below this afternoon.

..TONIGHT....Mostly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Patchy blowing snow. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Blustery, cold with lows around 4 above. North winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Wind chill values as low as 16 below.

..SUNDAY....Sunny, blustery with highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, diminishing to 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 15 below in the morning.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 9 above. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening. Wind chill values as low as zero.

..MONDAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Cold with lows in the lower 20s.

---

HAZARDOUS WEATHER


Temperatures will remain very cold through early next week. A strong arctic front may bring the coldest weather of the season this weekend. Temperatures across portions of the area are likely to remain below freezing until at least Monday afternoon. As this period of unusually cold weather continues, the potential for damage to infrastructure, including burst water pipes will steadily increase.

Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
206 AM EST Sat Jan 31 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...The mountains of North Carolina.

* WHEN...Until 7 AM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce isolated power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads and other surfaces due to temperatures in the 20s. Very gusty winds today could result in areas of blowing snow, causing very poor visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Slow down and use caution while traveling.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

---

Extreme Cold Watch
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
200 AM EST Sat Jan 31 2026

...EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM EST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 22 below zero expected with the highest peaks seeing wind chills as low as 25 to 30 below zero.

* WHERE...The mountains of North Carolina.

* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Pets and livestock will be endangered by extreme cold if left unprotected for extended periods.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.

Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

---

---

NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)

---

---

State and Local News

---

Chief Meteorologist Jason Boyer has the latest as the snow continues to fall over parts of WNC | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



• Mission Hospital placed in immediate jeopardy for 3rd time in 2 years [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• Greg Lindberg and companies ordered to repay $526 million as mogul lobbies for Trump pardon [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• In photos: Hundreds march in downtown Asheville in solidarity with Minnesota [Mountain Xpress]

• More lawsuits to be filed against NC State over toxic chemicals, attorneys say [Raleigh News and Observer]

• Another winter storm targets NC. See timing, warnings, more [Asheville Citizen-Times]

---

World News

---

More than three million pages of Epstein files being released | Sky News coverage and analysis | Sky News



What's next for Venezuela? | The Stream | Al Jazeera



• Iran wants to make deal rather than face military action, Trump says [BBC News]

• US-Iran tensions: Arab states and Israel navigate tightrope [DW News]

• ‘Essential’ to ICE: French IT giant Capgemini under fire over migrant tracking role [France 24]

---

Russo-Ukraine War

---

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 30, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

Radars, drones, missiles: Poland’s new air defense explained | TVP World



• Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1437: Lithuania calls Russia’s energy attacks genocide as Kyiv struggles to restore heat [Euromaidan Press]

• Trump’s ‘armada’ issues warning to Tehran [Russia Today (Russian State-Controlled News Outlet)]

• Russian troops liberate seven communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass [TASS (Russian State-Controlled News Outlet)]

---

National News

---

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says election denialism is meant "to make us feel small"| The Takeout | CBS News



• Federal agents arrest journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in what press freedom groups say is an escalation [Poynter]

• The Astonishing Arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort [Columbia Journalism Review]

• Trump thinks a weaker dollar is great for America. Is he right? [NPR]

• Liveblog: Thousands march in Minneapolis as part of another ‘general strike’ against ICE [Minnesota Star Tribune]

Protests Challenge Federal Immigration Enforcement Following Fatal Shootings in Minneapolis | KARE-TV (Minneapolis, MN)



Don Lemon charged with interfering with First Amendment rights at church protest | NBC News



• California urges court to permit it to use congressional map enacted to counter Republican gains in Texas [SCOTUSblog]

• Democrats say deal reached with Trump to avert shutdown, immigration talks to continue [Ground News]

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Addresses U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting | C-SPAN



• xxx [The Hill]

• Journalist Don Lemon is charged with federal civil rights crimes in anti-ICE church protest [AP News]

• Government shuts down again after Democrats revolt over DHS funding [Fox News]

• Gold sinks to $4,900, silver crashes 25% as precious metals trade unwinds [Yahoo Finance]

• Everything you need to know about Kevin Warsh, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve [CNBC]

Senate Votes on Government Funding Bill | Balance of Power 01/30/2026 | Bloomberg Television



Senate floor as leaders debate bipartisan deal to avert partial shutdown | C-SPAN



Ceasefire Podcast: Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R) & San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) | C-SPAN



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - January 30, 2026



PBS News Hour full episode, Jan. 30, 2025

---

Technology and Science News

---

Artificial Superintelligence Must Be Illegal. | Kyle Hill



The End of the Steam Age? China’s Breakthrough CO2 Generator | Anton Petrov



• A Greek star catalog from the dawn of astronomy, revealed [ScienceNews]

• France Just Created Its Own Open Source Alternative to Microsoft Teams and Zoom [It's FOSS News]

• NASA delays critical Artemis 2 rocket fueling test due to below-freezing temperatures, launch no earlier than Feb. 8 [Space.com]

• US Declassifies Vintage Spy Satellite With a Wildly Lopsided Orbit [Gizmodo]

• Does Anthropic believe its AI is conscious, or is that just what it wants Claude to think? [Ars Technica]

---

Crypto Currencies

---

Silver Drops 38% | Ben Cowen



• Bitcoin Mining Profits Hit 14-Month Low After Winter Storm Rocks Miners: CryptoQuant [Decrypt]

• Bitcoin loses crucial $84K support: How low can BTC price go? [Coin Telegraph]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and ASN (Aviation Safety Network) Accident Investigation Pages

• Cirrus SR22T Crash [09/18/2025 - Franklin, NC]

• Crash of N259UP at Louisville-Muhammad Ali International Airport [Aviation Safety Network]

---

---

Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.

Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 6.00am on Saturday, January 31, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More

Weather Briefing for Friday, January 30, 2026 Winter Storm Warning This Weekend

Probably Snowfall Totals (Courtesy National Weather Service)

---

• ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...

• [Public Safety Notifications]

• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at [LINK]

---

NWS GENERAL OUTLOOK

A winter weather event will occur across the region this weekend, with snow, extreme cold, and high winds being the main concerns.

.KEY MESSAGES...

1. Mostly cloudy, and dry through the morning.
2. A significant winter weather event will impact the region Friday afternoon through early Sunday morning, with snow expected to be the primary precipitation type. Due to the cold temperatures leading up to the event, impacts to travel will be significant.
3. Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills will impact the region Saturday thru Monday morning. This air mass will pose potential threats to life and property if precautions are not taken.
4. Temperatures gradually warm through early next week with a return to dry conditions across the region. Precipitation chances may return by mid week.

---

WEATHER SPONSOR

Macon Media Weather is being sponsored by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook.

It is time for new leadership in the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. I have the education and experience to successfully lead and represent the Office into the future. I will listen and respond to concerns of every citizen. I will ensure the employees have equal opportunities for promotion and transfer. Please trust me with your vote. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 828-371-4475, Facebook: Bob Cook for Sheriff. Early voting begins February 12, 2026, and the primary is March 3, 2026.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bob Cook Sheriff.

---

DAY SPONSOR

Macon Media is being underwritten today by Bourbon & Bacon. (Formerly Franklin Office Supply)

Visit their store at 161 Highlands Road in Franklin or check out their website at bourbonandbaconfs.com

---

GENERAL FORECAST

(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)

..TODAY....Mostly cloudy. Highs around 40. Winds out of the southwest around 5 mph.

..TONIGHT....Cloudy. A chance of snow in the evening, then snow likely after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Cold with lows around 16. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

..SATURDAY....Patchy fog in the morning. Snow. Total snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches. Colder with highs in the lower 20s. Temperature falling to around 15 in the afternoon. Winds out of the north 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph, increasing to 40 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 90 percent. Wind chill values as low as 8 below in the afternoon.

..SATURDAY NIGHT....Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Little or no additional snow accumulation. Blustery, cold with lows around 4 above. Winds out of the northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Chance of snow 40 percent. Wind chill values as low as 17 below.

..SUNDAY....Sunny, blustery with highs in the upper 20s. Winds out of th northwest 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 45 mph, decreasing to 35 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 16 below in the morning.

..SUNDAY NIGHT....Mostly clear. Cold with lows 5 to 10 above. Wind chill values as low as zero.

..MONDAY....Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Wind chill values as low as zero in the morning.

..MONDAY NIGHT....Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 20.

---

HAZARDOUS WEATHER


Temperatures will remain very cold through early next week. A strong arctic front may bring the coldest weather of the season this weekend. Temperatures across portions of the area are likely to remain below freezing until at least Monday afternoon. As this period of unusually cold weather continues, the potential for damage to infrastructure, including burst water pipes will steadily increase.

Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
142 AM EST Fri Jan 30 2026

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...The mountains of North Carolina.

* WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 AM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce isolated power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads and other surfaces due to temperatures in the 20s. Travel conditions could deteriorate rapidly as early as Friday evening. Very gusty winds on Saturday could result in areas of blowing snow, causing very poor visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads and other surfaces due to temperatures in the 20s. Travel conditions could deteriorate rapidly as early as Friday evening. Very gusty winds on Saturday could result in areas of blowing snow, causing very poor visibility.

---

Extreme Cold Watch
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
147 AM EST Fri Jan 30 2026

...EXTREME COLD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 22 below possible.

* WHERE...The mountains of North Carolina.

* WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

...EXTREME COLD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.

Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

---

---

NEWS UPDATES
(Links aggregated to show what various news outlets are reporting)

---

---

State and Local News

---

Black Mountain interim town manager discusses new role | WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)



• Winter Storm Warning issued ahead of snowfall, high winds and dangerous travel [WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)]

• NC lawmakers say court order limits their probe into fatal Charlotte stabbing [WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)]

• Fontana Regional Library director tenders resignation [Smoky Mountain News]

• Registered nurses hold vigil for Alex Jeffrey Pretti at Pritchard Park [Mountain Xpress]

• With raises on the line, why NC House Speaker Destin Hall isn’t budging [Raleigh News and Observer]

• NC Gov. Stein declares new State of Emergency ahead of winter storm [Asheville Citizen-Times]

---

World News

---

The Wrap | Is Trump gearing up to attack Iran again? | Sky News



What will be the impact of the EU-India trade pact? | Inside Story | Al Jazeera



• What could happen if the US strikes Iran? Here are seven scenarios [BBC News]

• Budapest mayor charged over Pride parade [DW News]

• French far-right lawmaker sparks debate with proposal to reopen brothels [France 24]

---

Russo-Ukraine War

---

• Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 29, 2026 [Institute for the Study of War]

Trump asks, Putin agrees: week without bombing in Ukraine | TVP World



• Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1436: EU delivers energy aid ahead of cold snap as France, allies boost intelligence sharing [Euromaidan Press]

• US military ready for action against Iran – secretary of war [Russia Today (Russian State-Controlled News Outlet)]

• Trump signs order allowing US to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba [TASS (Russian State-Controlled News Outlet)]

---

National News

---

Homan speaks out in Minneapolis, Senate agrees to deal avoiding shutdown, more | The Takeout | CBS News



• What a safety expert thinks journalists should know about “less than lethal” rounds and chemical irritants used by ICE [Nieman Lab]

• How exhausted Minneapolis journalists are covering a prolonged federal crackdown [Poynter]

• Judge to weigh political motives in ICE surge [Minnesota Star Tribune]

One last thing: Tracking ICE arrest data | KARE-TV (Minneapolis, MN)



Trump to announce Federal Reserve chair pick, threatens new tariffs | NBC News



• California urges court to permit it to use congressional map enacted to counter Republican gains in Texas [SCOTUSblog]

• Democrats say deal reached with Trump to avert shutdown, immigration talks to continue [Ground News]

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Addresses U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting | C-SPAN



• Trump sues IRS for $10B over leaked tax returns [The Hill]

• Immigration raids, election office search stir midterm concerns for Democratic election officials [AP News]

• Tim Walz says he’s done with politics: ‘I will never run for office again’ [Fox News]

• Gold hovers near $5,400, silver steadies as precious metals rally enters 'dangerous phase' [Yahoo Finance]

• Trump says he will announce a replacement for Powell as Fed chair Friday morning [CNBC]

Bloomberg Goes One-On-One With NYC Mayor Mamdani | Balance of Power 01/28/2026 | Bloomberg Television



President Trump makes announcement in the Oval Office | C-SPAN



Washington Today (1-29-26): Temp DHS $$ as ICE reform talks continue to avert partial gov't shutdown | C-SPAN



ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - January 29, 2026



PBS News Hour full episode, Jan. 29, 2025

---

Technology and Science News

---

The First Toilet To Fly Beyond The Moon! A New Era In Lunar Luxury! | Scott Manley



The Time We Learned Particles Can Be Affected By Nothing | Veritasium



• Artificial lungs kept a man alive until he could get a transplant [ScienceNews]

• What Happens to Linux After Linus Torvalds? We Finally Have the Answer to This Uncomfortable Question [It's FOSS News]

• US government declassifies Cold War-era 'JUMPSEAT' spy satellites [Space.com]

• The Computer History Museum’s New Online Portal Is a Nerd’s Dream Come True [Gizmodo]

• Does Anthropic believe its AI is conscious, or is that just what it wants Claude to think? [Ars Technica]

---

Crypto Currencies

---

Why is Bitcoin Dropping? | Ben Cowen



• WallStreetBets Founder Cries Foul After Reddit Cracks Down on Miami Convention [Decrypt]

• US Senate Agriculture Committee advances crypto market structure bill [Coin Telegraph]

---

NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and ASN (Aviation Safety Network) Accident Investigation Pages

• Cirrus SR22T Crash [09/18/2025 - Franklin, NC]

• Crash of N259UP at Louisville-Muhammad Ali International Airport [Aviation Safety Network]

---

---

Support Macon Media


• [SEVERE WEATHER CHANNEL]

 
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534

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. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.

Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia


Published at 6.00am on Friday, January 30, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

Read More