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Showing posts with label August 2020 Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label August 2020 Weather. Show all posts

Friday, September 4, 2020

News and Weather Briefing for Friday, September 4, 2020

OUTLOOK

Hot conditions will continue today ahead of a cold front slowly approaching from the northwest. The cold front will cross the region tonight, with cooler and drier weather settling into the area through the weekend and into early next week. Moisture and temperatures will recover through next week to gradually support a return of thunderstorms. 

NewsBrief 

 North Carolina Will Move to Phase 2.5 Pandemic Restrictions today at 5pm.  Details are published in the Tuesday COVID-19 Update [LINK] 

General Forecast Through Sunday Night 

 Today 

Widespread fog, especially early in the morning. Isolated showers, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 11pm. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Light winds out of the northwest. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday

Patchy fog in the morning. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with highs ranging from near 70in the higher elevations to near80 in the lower elevations. Calm winds.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 50s. (Squee!!!) Calm winds.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with highs ranging from the low-to-mid 70s in the higher elevations to the low-to-mid 80s in the lower elevations.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with lows in the 50s. (More Squee!!!)

Hazards

Hazardous weather is not expected today. 

Air Quality
Macon County, including the ridgetops, will be in the lower range of yellow today. An H5 ridge will build overhead on today, and the air may begin to become stagnated. Light winds and plentiful afternoon sunshine could again allow for favorable ozone production, though lingering Saharan dust could help to slightly reduce incoming solar radiation which will help to temper the required photochemistry. 

 ---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. 


 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--- 

 Tropical Weather 
(The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th)
Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Fri Sep 4 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center has issued the last advisory on Nana, which has dissipated near the Guatemala-Mexico border, and is issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Omar, located about 400 miles east-northeast of Bermuda.

1. A non-tropical area of low pressure is located over the north-central Atlantic, about 600 miles south of Cape Race Newfoundland.  This low is expected to move north-northeastward near 15 mph, and some slight subtropical or tropical development of this system is possible before it reaches cooler waters tonight.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent. 
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...20 percent.

2. A broad area of low pressure located over the eastern tropical Atlantic several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, while moving little.  Gradual development is possible early next week once the larger tropical wave located near the Cabo Verde Islands passes to the north of the system on Sunday.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent. 
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...40 percent.

3. A tropical wave located near the Cabo Verde Islands is producing an extensive area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Development of this system is expected to be slow during the next couple of days while it moves west-northwestward at about 15 mph.  

After that, a tropical depression is more likely to form early next week over the central tropical Atlantic where environmental conditions are forecast to be more conducive for development.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent. 
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...70 percent.

4. Another tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa over the weekend.  An area of low pressure is expected to form from the wave early next week.  Gradual development of this low is then expected, and a tropical depression could form while it moves generally westward over the far eastern tropical Atlantic. 

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent. 
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...40 percent.

End Daily Weather Segment

Begin COVID-19 Update 

 Here is a brief morning update on the latest COVID-19 numbers from the various government agencies and private sources. 

 The COVID-19 Update for yesterday afternoon includes the guidelines for Phase 2.5, which starts today, September 4th at 5pm. [LINK] 

Centers for Disease Control [LINK]

170,553 Detected Cases 
11,568 Detected in the Last 7 Days
1,642 Detected Cases per 100,000 population
26 Reported Deaths per 100,000 population
2,779 Reported Deaths

NC Dept of Health and Human Svcs [LINK]
172,209 Detected Cases out of 2,347,837 tests
2,803 Reported Deaths
858 Reported Current Hospitalizations

CoronaWiki [LINK]
172,201 Detected Cases 2,803 Reported Deaths New York Times North Carolina Coronavirus Map and Case Count [LINK] Data from Macon County Public Health as of yesterday afternoon and graph by Macon Media of data from May 30th to September 1st [LINK] Please note there is a gap for Saturdays and Sundays since the health department will no longer be reporting numbers on those days.
554 Detected Cases (unchanged) 
18 Active Positive (unchanged) 
529 Recovered (unchanged) 
7 Deaths (unchanged) 

Testing Data for Macon County 

5080 MCPH Tests (unchanged) 
1867 Tests by Others (+15 in one day) 
6947 Total Tests (+15 in one day) 
65 Tests Pending Results (-1 in one day)

 Infographic from Johns Hopkins University [LINK]
 
Resources for Reliable Information about the Corona Virus (COVID-19) [LINK] 

CROWDFUNDING 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. 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 4:30am Friday, September 04, 2020

Monday, August 31, 2020

News and Weather Briefing for Monday, August 31, 2020







OUTLOOK

The Bermuda High building into the area will largely limit afternoon to evening thunderstorms by mid-week and produce seasonably hot conditions that will last through the end of the week. Unsettled and cooler weather may return by this weekend.


---BEGIN DAY SPONSOR---

Carrion Tree Service is underwriting Macon Media for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.

Their phone number is 371-4718.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.

---END DAY SPONSOR---


Macon Calendar



Macon County Cooperative Extension, Christy Bredenkamp will be hosting a Ginseng Workshop in September

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is offering a free seminar on Ginseng Production for homeowners who desire to grow “sang.” This program will be held on Thursday September 3 rd from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. online via Zoom.

Topics covered will be: state regulations for growing and hunting “sang”, plant physiology, present and historical use of ginseng and comparing Asian versus American ginseng. Major time and emphasis of the program will be dedicated to the woods simulated cultural practices such as: site selection and preparation, sowing, harvesting, drying the roots and seed stratification.

To register go to the Eventbrite link at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ginseng-production-tickets-115231454382

For more information contact the Macon County Extension Center at 828 349 2046 or e-mail Christy Bredenkamp at clbreden@ncsu.edu


NewsBrief

Decorative Lamp Posts to be Painted Today


Duke Energy will be painting the decorative lamp posts on Main Street today. Parking spaces will be blocked off to allow crews space to reach the lamp posts during the day, so parking will be limited.


Cowee Firefight
er Laid to Rest

Charlie Greenwood, a firefighter and founding member of the Cowee Fire/Rescue Honor Guard, was laid to rest in the cemetery of Cowee Baptist Church on Sunday. Below is a short tribute video showing the funeral procession passing under a flag held aloft by two ladder trucks.



Save Our Children Event

An event "to bring awareness to child trafficking and to save our children from being groomed, harmed and abducted by the evil in this world" was held Sunday afternoon in a field beside Franklin First Baptist Church. The event featured bands and speakers. Organizers hope to make this an annual event. Macon Media streamed the event live on Facebook and recorded additional video that will be published sometime Tuesday or Wednesday.

Facebook Event Page [LINK]

Live Video Part One [LINK]

Live Video Part Two [LINK]




General Forecast Through Wednesday Night


Today

A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Hazards

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected today. A few storms may become severe, producing damaging winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall.




Air Quality



Macon County, including the ridgetops, will be in the upper range of green today.



---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---


Tropical Weather
(The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th)



Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Mon Aug 31 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

1. Recent satellite imagery and satellite-derived wind data indicate that a broad area of low pressure associated with a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea has changed little in organization since yesterday. However, environmental conditions are expected to gradually become more conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days while the system moves moves westward at at 15 to 20 mph. Interests in Jamaica, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan peninsula should monitor the progress of this disturbance.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.

2. An area of low pressure is located a few hundred miles east of Jacksonville, Florida. This system has gradually gotten better organized during the past 24 hours but is currently producing only limited showers and thunderstorms. Additional development is expected and a tropical depression is likely to form by the middle of the week while the system moves northeastward or east-northeastward, initially parallel to the southeastern coast of the U.S. and then away from land. Upper-level winds are expected to become less conducive for further development on Wednesday.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...70 percent.

3. A tropical wave is expected to emerge off the coast of Africa in a couple of days. Gradual development of this system will be possible through the end of the week while it moves slowly westward over the far eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...30 percent.

4. Another tropical wave is located over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. This system is producing little shower activity, and any development of this system should be slow to occur as it moves slowly westward.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...10 percent.








End Daily Weather Segment








Begin COVID-19 Update

Here is a brief morning update on the latest COVID-19 numbers from the various government agencies and private sources. Amore detailed update from Thursday is available. [LINK] https://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/covid-19-update-for-thursdayaugust.html

Centers forDisease Control [LINK] https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/



165,076 Detected Cases
11,435 Detected in the Last 7 Days
1,590 Detected Cases per 100,000 population
25 Reported Deaths per 100,000 population
2,683 ReportedDeaths

NC Dept of Health and Human Svcs [LINK] http://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/



166,127 Detected Cases out of 2,293,273 tests
2,692 Reported Deaths
917 Reported Current Hospitalizations

CoronaWiki [LINK] https://coronawiki.org/country/united-states/state/north-carolina



166,127 Detected Cases
2,692 Reported Deaths

New York Times North Carolina Coronavirus Map and Case Count [LINK]

Data from Macon County Public Health as of July 20th and graph by Macon Media of data from May 30th to July 20th [LINK]

Please note there is a gap for Saturdays and Sundays since the health department will no longer be reporting numbers on those days.





546 Detected Cases (+7 in one day)
30 Active Positive (-2 in one day)
512 Recovered (+9 in one day)
4 Death (unchanged)

Testing Data for Macon County

4933 MCPH Tests (+68 in one day)
1755 Tests by Others (unchanged)
6688 Total Tests (+68 in one day)
90 Tests Pending Results (+53 in one day)

Infographic from Johns Hopkins University [LINK]




Resources for Reliable Information about the Corona Virus (COVID-19) [LINK]



CROWDFUNDING 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. 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 5:00am Monday, August 31, 2020

Friday, August 28, 2020

Daily News and Weather Briefing for Friday, August 28, 2020







OUTLOOK

An upper-level ridge axis will move overhead today as Tropical Depression Laura gets picked up by the westerlies and takes a turn to the east. The remnants of Laura are expected to pass just to our north early Saturday with gusty winds at high elevations and increased rain chances across the region Friday night through Saturday. Drier high pressure will build on Sunday, but that will be short-lived, as moisture returns on Monday.


Macon Calendar

1st Annual Radical Love Lobster Fest [EVENT PAGE]
SATURDAY AT 12 PM – 4 PM

What better way to celebrate Stephanie's 50th birthday than with a New England lobster dinner! Come help us raise money to support Smoky Mountain Harm Reduction and the free services we provide!


Place your order before Wednesday 8/26 at 5 pm and we'll fly your lobster in fresh from Gloucester, MA! On Saturday, you can either pick up your lobster steamed with an ear of corn and a potato or cook it at home yourself. Your choice!

All proceeds will go to provide life-saving services to our most vulnerable folx in WNC. Questions? Call Stephanie at 617-828-9184.

Thanks for everyone's continued support as we work to together to keep our most vulnerable folx alive and healthy.


Macon County Cooperative Extension, Christy Bredenkamp will be hosting a Ginseng Workshop in September

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is offering a free seminar on Ginseng Production for homeowners who desire to grow “sang.” This program will be held on Thursday September 3 rd from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. online via Zoom.

Topics covered will be: state regulations for growing and hunting “sang”, plant physiology, present and historical use of ginseng and comparing Asian versus American ginseng. Major time and emphasis of the program will be dedicated to the woods simulated cultural practices such as: site selection and preparation, sowing, harvesting, drying the roots and seed stratification.

To register go to the Eventbrite link at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ginseng-production-tickets-115231454382

For more information contact the Macon County Extension Center at 828 349 2046 or e-mail Christy
Bredenkamp at clbreden@ncsu.edu

NEWS BRIEF


Duke Energy will be painting the decorative lampposts on Main Street next week.


They will be starting Monday, August 31, 2020. The Franklin Police Department has agreed to block off parking along Main Street during the time Duke Energy will be painting. [LINK]




General Forecast Through Sunday Night


Today

Patchy fog in the morning. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Winds out of the south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5pm. Highs ranging from the lower 70s in the higher elevations to the lower 80s in the lower elevations. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph early increasing and shifting to come out of the northwest 10 to 15 mph by midmorning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph in the lower elevations and 35 mph in the higher elevations. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the lower elevations and 10 to 15moh in the higher elevations becoming calm by dawn. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s.

Hazards

Tropical Storm Laura has weakened to a Tropical Depression over the Mississippi River Valley. The system will then track east through the central Appalachians to our north tonight and through the Mid-Atlantic region on Saturday. Western North Carolina will likely experience heavy rain and strong wind gusts beginning Friday night and lingering into Saturday morning. Damaging winds, and possibly even isolated tornadoes, are possible from thunderstorms Saturday as the post-tropical system passes north of the area.

Continue to monitor the latest forecast for any updates.


Air Quality



Macon County, including the ridgetops, will be in the upper range of green today.



---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---


Tropical Weather
(The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th)



Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Fri Aug 28 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center has issued the last advisory on Tropical Depression Laura, centered inland over Arkansas.

Future advisories will be issued by the Weather Prediction Center.

1. A tropical wave located about 1000 miles east of the Windward Islands is producing an area of showers and thunderstorms.

Some gradual development of this system is possible during the next several days while it moves westward at about 15 mph toward the eastern Caribbean islands.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...30 percent.

2. Another tropical wave is located over the eastern Atlantic Ocean just west of the Cabo Verde Islands. The northern part of this wave, which should move rapidly westward over the central Atlantic during the next few days, is not forecast to develop as it is expected to remain in unfavorable environmental conditions.

However, the southern part of the wave is expected be nearly stationary south of the Cabo Verde Islands for the next several days, and some development of this system is possible early next week when it begins to move slowly westward over the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...low...30 percent.





Tropical Depression Laura

Tropical Depression Laura Discussion Number 33
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
1000 PM CDT Thu Aug 27 2020

Laura has continued to spin down after being over land for nearly a day. Surface observations no longer support tropical storm intensity, and therefore the system is being downgraded to a tropical depression. The cyclone should become a post-tropical low within a couple of days, and then transform into an extratropical cyclone while moving off the U.S. east coast.

The official forecast shows some restrengthening in 2-4 days due to baroclinic processes. However, by the end of the forecast period, the system should be absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone to the east of the Canadian Maritimes.

Laura continues to move north-northeastward or at about 015/13 kt. A turn toward the northeast and east-northeast with increasing forward speed is likely while the cyclone becomes embedded in the stronger westerly flow. The official track forecast follows the latest dynamical model consensus.

There is a continued threat of flooding from Laura for the next couple of days. This is the last NHC advisory on Laura.

Future information on this system, including the rainfall threat, can be found in Public Advisories issued by the Weather Prediction Center beginning at 4 AM CDT, under AWIPS header TCPAT3, WMO header WTNT33 KWNH, and on the web at http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov


Key Messages:

1. Additional rainfall will continue to lead to flash flooding along small streams, urban areas, roadways, and minor to moderate river flooding across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. The heavy rainfall threat and flash and urban flooding potential will spread northeastward into the middle-Mississippi, lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and Mid-Atlantic States Friday and Saturday.

2. A few tornadoes remain possible this evening across eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and the Missouri Bootheel. The risk for a few tornadoes is expected to redevelop Friday afternoon into the evening across parts of the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley regions.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 28/0300Z 35.1N 92.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
12H 28/1200Z 36.3N 91.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
24H 29/0000Z 37.3N 87.8W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
36H 29/1200Z 38.0N 82.3W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND
48H 30/0000Z 38.5N 75.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
60H 30/1200Z 41.5N 67.5W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
72H 31/0000Z 44.0N 60.5W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
96H 01/0000Z 48.0N 52.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 02/0000Z...DISSIPATED








End Daily Weather Segment








Begin COVID-19 Update

Here is a brief morning update on the latest COVID-19 numbers from the various government agencies and private sources. Amore detailed update from Thursday is available. [LINK]

Centers for Disease Control [LINK]



158,985 Detected Cases
11,053 Detected in the Last 7 Days
1,531 Detected Cases per 100,000 population
25 Reported Deaths per 100,000 population

NC Dept of Health and Human Services [LINK]



161,076 Detected Cases out of 2,152,725 tests
2,630 Reported Deaths
958 Reported Current Hospitalizations

CoronaWiki [LINK]



161,076 Detected Cases
2,630 Reported Deaths

New York Times North Carolina Coronavirus Map and Case Count [LINK]

Data from Macon County Public Health as of July 20th and graph by Macon Media of data from May 30th to July 20th [LINK]

Please note there is a gap for Saturdays and Sundays since the health department will no longer be reporting numbers on those days.





539 Detected Cases (+1 in one day)
32 Active Positive (-1 in one day)
503 Recovered (+2 in one day)
4 Death (unchanged)

Testing Data for Macon County

4933 MCPH Tests (unchanged)
1755 Tests by Others (+27 in one day)
6688 Total Tests (+27 in one day)
90 Tests Pending Results (-58 in one day)

Infographic from Johns Hopkins University [LINK]




Resources for Reliable Information about the Corona Virus (COVID-19) [LINK]



CROWDFUNDING 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. 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 4:00am Friday, August 28, 2020

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

News and Weather Briefing for Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Macon County Public Health Identifies Cluster at Franklin High School







OUTLOOK

An upper level ridge strengthening over the Southeast will allow temperatures to rise above normal into the weekend. The remnants of tropical cyclones Laura and Marco will bring higher levels of moisture and increased precipitation chances for Friday night and Saturday, especially in the mountains. Drier high pressure will build in Sunday.




Macon Calendar

1st Annual Radical Love Lobster Fest [EVENT PAGE]
SATURDAY AT 12 PM – 4 PM

What better way to celebrate Stephanie's 50th birthday than with a New England lobster dinner! Come help us raise money to support Smoky Mountain Harm Reduction and the free services we provide!


Place your order before Wednesday 8/26 at 5 pm and we'll fly your lobster in fresh from Gloucester, MA! On Saturday, you can either pick up your lobster steamed with an ear of corn and a potato or cook it at home yourself. Your choice!

All proceeds will go to provide life saving services to our most vulnerable folx in WNC. Questions? Call Stephanie at 617-828-9184.

Thanks for everyone's continued support as we work to together to keep our most vulnerable folx alive and healthy.


Macon County Cooperative Extension, Christy Bredenkamp will be hosting a Ginseng Workshop in September

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is offering a free seminar on Ginseng Production for homeowners who desire to grow “sang.” This program will be held on Thursday September 3 rd from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. online via Zoom.

Topics covered will be: state regulations for growing and hunting “sang”, plant physiology, present and historical use of ginseng and comparing Asian versus American ginseng. Major time and emphasis of the program will be dedicated to the woods simulated cultural practices such as: site selection and preparation, sowing, harvesting, drying the roots and seed stratification.

To register go to the Eventbrite link at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ginseng-production-tickets-115231454382

For more information contact the Macon County Extension Center at 828 349 2046 or e-mail Christy
Bredenkamp at clbreden@ncsu.edu


News Brief

Yesterday's COVID-19 report is available. [LINK]

Macon County Public Health Identifies a Cluster at a Macon County School

Macon County Public Health has identified a cluster of individuals at Franklin High School who have tested positive and are isolated from others. All staff and students who have potentially been exposed to these individuals have been contacted and will be tested for COVID-19.

In addition to Franklin High School staff and students, MCPH is working to identify any additional close contacts of these individuals. The CDC defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with an infection with COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time of 10 minutes or longer. Based on
information provided by the individual/parent, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing. MCPH’s Medical Director and Macon County Public Schools are working together to limit the spread of COVID-19 among staff, students, and the community.




General Forecast Through Friday Night


Today

Widespread fog with reduced visibility this morning. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Otherwise, cloudy through midmorning, then gradual clearing, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Calm winds. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.


Tonight

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 11pm. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 20%.


Thursday

Patchy fog in the morning. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Light and variable winds.


Thursday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Hazards

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms can be expected today and Thursday and scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected Friday through Monday. A few storms could be strong to severe with strong to damaging winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall.


Air Quality



Macon County, including the ridgetops, will be in the upper range of green today.



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Tropical Weather
(The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th)

Tropical Tidbit from Levi Cowan








Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Wed Aug 26 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Laura, located over the central Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.





Hurricane Laura

Hurricane Laura Discussion Number 25
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
1000 PM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

Laura's cloud pattern is becoming better organized on satellite images, with a banding feature over the eastern portion of the circulation and an expanding central dense overcast with cloud tops of -80C or colder. The upper-level outflow is becoming better established over the northwestern quadrant. Flight-level and SFMR-observed surface winds from NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum winds have increased to near 80 kt, and the central pressure is falling. The hurricane is expected to remain over SSTs near 30 deg C until it nears the coast, with only moderate vertical shear. The SHIPS Rapid Intensification Index shows a significant probability for a 25-30 kt increase in strength during the next 24 hours, and this is reflected in the official forecast. This is also between the simple and corrected intensity model consensus predictions. Laura will weaken rapidly after landfall, but it will likely bring hurricane-force winds well inland over extreme western Louisiana and eastern Texas.

Aircraft and satellite fixes show a continued west-northwestward track with an initial motion estimate near 300/15 kt. The track forecast reasoning has not changed. The hurricane should gradually turn toward the northwest and north over the next day or two as it moves around the western periphery of a mid-level high and into a weakness into the subtropical ridge. Later in the forecast period the cyclone should turn toward the east-northeast and move with increasing forward speed while embedded within the westerlies. The official track forecast is very similar to the previous one and also very close to the simple and corrected consensus track model predictions.

Users are again reminded not to focus on the exact details of the track or intensity forecasts as the average NHC track error at 36 h is around 60 miles and the average intensity error is close to 10 mph. In addition, wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will extend far from the center.

Key Messages:

1. There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge with large and dangerous waves producing potentially catastrophic damage from San Luis Pass, Texas, to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, including areas inside the Port Arthur Hurricane Flood Protection system. This surge could penetrate up to 30 miles inland from the immediate coastline in southwestern Louisiana and far southeastern Texas.
Actions to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, as water levels will begin to rise on Wednesday.

2. Hurricane-force winds are expected Wednesday night in the warning area from San Luis Pass, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana, and the strongest winds associated with Laura's eyewall will occur somewhere within this area. Hurricane-force winds and widespread damaging wind gusts are also expected to spread well inland into portions of eastern Texas and western Louisiana early Thursday.

3. Widespread flash flooding along small streams, urban areas, and roadways is expected to begin Wednesday night into Thursday across far eastern Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. This will also lead to minor to isolated moderate river flooding. The heavy rainfall threat and localized flash and urban flooding potential will spread northeastward into the middle-Mississippi, lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys Friday night and Saturday.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 26/0300Z 25.2N 89.5W 80 KT 90 MPH
12H 26/1200Z 26.5N 91.4W 95 KT 110 MPH
24H 27/0000Z 28.7N 93.1W 105 KT 120 MPH
36H 27/1200Z 31.2N 93.8W 70 KT 80 MPH...INLAND
48H 28/0000Z 33.7N 93.6W 40 KT 45 MPH...INLAND
60H 28/1200Z 36.0N 92.3W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
72H 29/0000Z 37.2N 89.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
96H 30/0000Z 38.0N 78.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
120H 31/0000Z 42.0N 65.0W 35 KT 40 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP









End Daily Weather Segment








Begin COVID-19 Update

It was a very busy day yesterday, so there is no COVID-19 update this morning.



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Published at 5:00am Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

News and Weather Briefing for Tuesday, August 25, 2020







OUTLOOK

Abundant tropical moisture flowing into the area around a deep ridge of high pressure will maintain cloud cover over much of the area today, and a chance of precipitation. An upper level high will strengthen over the Eastern Seaboard Wednesday and temperatures will rise above normal into the weekend. The remnants of tropical cyclones Laura and Marco will bring higher levels of moisture and increased precipitation chances, especially in the mountains for Friday and Saturday.




Macon Calendar

1st Annual Radical Love Lobster Fest [EVENT PAGE]
SATURDAY AT 12 PM – 4 PM

What better way to celebrate Stephanie's 50th birthday than with a New England lobster dinner! Come help us raise money to support Smoky Mountain Harm Reduction and the free services we provide!


Place your order before Wednesday 8/26 at 5 pm and we'll fly your lobster in fresh from Gloucester, MA! On Saturday, you can either pick up your lobster steamed with an ear of corn and a potato or cook it at home yourself. Your choice!

All proceeds will go to provide life-saving services to our most vulnerable folx in WNC. Questions? Call Stephanie at 617-828-9184.

Thanks for everyone's continued support as we work to together to keep our most vulnerable folx alive and healthy.


Macon County Cooperative Extension, Christy Bredenkamp will be hosting a Ginseng Workshop in September

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is offering a free seminar on Ginseng Production for homeowners who desire to grow “sang.” This program will be held on Thursday September 3 rd from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. online via Zoom.

Topics covered will be: state regulations for growing and hunting “sang”, plant physiology, present and historical use of ginseng and comparing Asian versus American ginseng. Major time and emphasis of the program will be dedicated to the woods simulated cultural practices such as: site selection and preparation, sowing, harvesting, drying the roots and seed stratification.

To register go to the Eventbrite link at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ginseng-production-tickets-115231454382

For more information contact the Macon County Extension Center at 828 349 2046 or e-mail Christy
Bredenkamp at clbreden@ncsu.edu


News Brief

It was a busy day in local COVID-19 news. At an emergency meeting of the Macon County Board of Education, board members voted 5-0 to close Mountain View Intermediate, Macon Middle School, and Union Academy and go to remote learning until Friday, September 11th due to staff shortages caused by COVID-19 quarantines necessitated by possible exposures to people who had tested positive for COVID-19. Franklin High School has already been on remote learning and all those schools will be re-evaluated to see if there is enough staff on hand for in-person instruction. [LINK]

President Trump visited western North Carolina yesterday and some local supporters showed their support of the president by organizing a rolling rally.



Macon Media covered the visit on Facebook. [LINK]




General Forecast Through Thursday Night


Today

Patchy fog in the morning. Occasional rain and thunderstorms before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs ranging from near 70 in the higher elevations to near 80 in the lower elevations. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Calm winds. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s. Calm wind.

Thursday

A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with highs ranging from the mid-70s in the higher elevations to the mid-80s in the lower elevations. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the 60s.

Hazards

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast today. Some of these heavier thunderstorms could produce locally heavy rainfall leading to isolated flash flooding.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms can be expected on Wednesday and Thursday and scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected Friday through Monday. A few storms could be strong to severe with strong to damaging winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall.


Air Quality



Macon County, including the ridgetops, will be in the upper range of green today.



---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:
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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---


Tropical Weather
(The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th)

Tropical Tidbit from Levi Cowan








Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Tue Aug 25 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Laura, located over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico to the northwest of the western tip of Cuba, and on recently downgraded Tropical Depression Marco, located west of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.




Tropical Storm Laura

Tropical Storm Laura Discussion Number 22
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
400 AM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

Satellite images show that Laura is becoming better organized. Now that the center is clear from Cuba, very deep convection has developed into a ragged, pulsing central dense overcast, with a large curved band on the southern side of the circulation. The intensity is kept at 55 kt, matching the satellite estimates and a blend of the earlier flight-level and SFMR reconnaissance data. Hurricane Hunter missions from both the Air Force and NOAA should be in the storm within a couple hours to help obtain a new estimate.

After a westward jog earlier, Laura is estimated to be moving west-northwestward again or 290/15. The synoptic situation consists over a large ridge near the southeastern United States and a weakness in the ridge over Central Texas due to an inverted trough.

Laura should gradually gain latitude and turn to the northwest and north-northwest over the next two days while it is steered between those two features, move northward late this week through the southern United States, then move quickly eastward across the eastern U.S. over the weekend as it encounters the mid-latitude westerlies. The majority of the guidance has shifted a notable distance to the west on this run, perhaps due to a weaker trough over Texas and a more westward initial position of Laura (possibly due to persistent northerly mid-level shear). The new NHC prediction is at the eastern edge of the new guidance envelope since I don't want to bite off on such a large change on just one set of model runs. But since the storm has been tracking west of forecast expectations for quite some time, future westward track adjustments could be required later today.

Laura is forecast to move over the very warm and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with similar or lighter shear conditions through the next couple of days. Now that an inner core appears to be trying to form, conditions appear ripe for at least steady intensification, and rapid intensification is becoming more likely before landfall. In fact, almost all of the explicit guidance models, save the statistical-dynamical models, are showing a period of rapid strengthening at some point during the next couple of days.
Thus, the new NHC forecast is higher than the last one, but not as high as the most of the regional hurricane models since shear could increase just before landfall.

Users are again reminded not to focus on the exact details of the track or intensity forecasts as the average NHC track error at 48 h is around 80 miles and the average intensity error is close to 15 mph. In addition, wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will extend far from the center.

Key Messages:

1. Laura is forecast to reach the northwestern Gulf Coast as a hurricane late Wednesday and early Thursday. Do not focus on the details of the official forecast given the typical uncertainty in NHC's 2-to-3 day track and intensity predictions. In addition, storm surge, wind, and rainfall hazards will extend well away from Laura's center along the Gulf Coast.

2. There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, within the next 48 hours, and a storm surge watch is in effect for these areas outside of the southeast Louisiana Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System. Residents in these areas should follow any advice given by local officials.

3. Hurricane conditions are possible by late Wednesday from San Luis Pass, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana, with tropical storm conditions possible by Wednesday afternoon, and a hurricane watch is in effect. Hurricane Warnings will likely be issued for a portion of that area later today.

4. The threat of widespread flash and urban flooding, along with small streams overflowing their banks, will be increasing Wednesday night into Thursday from far eastern Texas, across Louisiana, and Arkansas. This will also lead to minor-to-isolated moderate river flooding. The heavy rainfall threat will spread northeastward into the middle-Mississippi, lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys Friday and Saturday.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 25/0900Z 22.9N 85.7W 55 KT 65 MPH
12H 25/1800Z 23.8N 87.9W 65 KT 75 MPH
24H 26/0600Z 25.1N 90.6W 80 KT 90 MPH
36H 26/1800Z 26.8N 92.7W 95 KT 110 MPH
48H 27/0600Z 29.3N 93.7W 100 KT 115 MPH
60H 27/1800Z 32.1N 93.7W 55 KT 65 MPH...INLAND
72H 28/0600Z 34.5N 93.0W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND
96H 29/0600Z 37.0N 86.5W 25 KT 30 MPH...INLAND
120H 30/0600Z 39.0N 73.0W 40 KT 45 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP





POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE MARCO


Post-Tropical Cyclone Marco Discussion Number 21
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL142020
400 AM CDT Tue Aug 25 2020

Marco has been devoid of any significant convection for at least 12 hours, and ASCAT scatterometer surface wind data around 0239Z suggested that Marco might have degenerated in a north-to-south elongated trough. Based on this information, Marco has been downgraded to post-tropical remnant low. Brisk southwesterly vertical wind shear of 30 kt is forecast to increase to near 35 kt in 24 hours, which should prevent the redevelopment of deep convection near the center.

Marco's remnants are expected to move generally westward along or just south of the southern coast of Louisiana for the next 24 hours or until dissipation occurs.


FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 25/0900Z 28.8N 91.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
12H 25/1800Z 28.8N 92.7W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW
24H 26/0600Z...DISSIPATED







End Daily Weather Segment








Begin COVID-19 Update

It was a very busy day yesterday, so there is no COVID-19 update this morning.



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Published at 6:00am Tuesday, August 25, 2020