Please forgive me, for the news coverage a bit long this morning.
The New Years Eve Great Skate Party
Yesterday afternoon, very light freezing precipitation made roads throughout western North Carolina and north Georgia very slick and some mountain roads became briefly impassable. Both Cowee Mountain and Balsam Mountain were shut down to traffic while NCDOT Crews worked to apply material to the roadways that would allow motorists better traction and allow them to reach their destinations. From a little after 5:30 pm to 8:15 pm, traffic was at a standstill on US-441 on Cowee Mountain. See coverage from Macon Media and the community at the following links:
Numerous Accidents on US-19 Near Topton [LINK] Reader-submitted Report on Conditions on WNC Roadways [LINK] Winter Weather Advisory Issued [LINK]
Road Condition Open Thread [LINK]
NC Highway Patrol Shuts Down Cowee Mountain [LINK]
Cullasaja Gorge Thread [LINK]
Ruby Drop
At least a couple hundred hardy souls braved the brutally cold conditions and dangerous roadways to be present for the 4th annual Ruby Drop on Main Street. This year, the Ruby was dropped in the intersection between the Courthouse and the Clock Tower Square.
Macon Media webcast the event on Facebook Live for those who could not get out due to the dangerous road conditions. [LINK]
A polished version of the event is embedded below.
Cold Wave Safety Briefing
The local National Weather Service has an excellent briefing on their website in PDF format. [LINK]
http://www.weather.gov/media/gsp/YouTube/brief.pdf
In the coming week, this area will be experiencing a cold wave during which daytime temperatures will be close to 20 degrees below normal. Brisk northerly winds between 5 and 15 mph will combine with the very cold temperatures to produce dangerous wind chills through the week, especially across the higher elevations. Wind chills will drop to 5 to 15 degrees below zero across the higher elevations, near zero to 10 above zero in the lower elevations during the night through much of the week.
Very low relative humidity will increase the fire danger, especially on Tuesday. Please do not burn debris, brush piles or clear fields this week. Put those tasks off for a later time.
When venturing outside, remember to wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Wear a hat because much of your body heat can be lost from your head. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Lastly, stay dry and out of the wind if possible.
Consider bringing any pets indoors and check on neighbors, elderly, and homeless. Take the necessary precautions to protect water pipes from the extreme cold.
LOCAL OUTLOOK
Strong and cold high pressure will remain across the area through the coming week, keeping a very cold airmass entrenched over the eastern part of the nation. Temperatures will be close to 20 degrees below normal through the end of the work week, and much of the upcoming weekend.
DAY SPONSOR
Carrion Tree Service is underwriting the daily weather briefing and public safety updates 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 are located at 120 Depot Street.
They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.
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:
All your masonry needs are available. Phone number is 828.524.8545, public is welcome, we’ll help with your with your next project.
Weather Almanac for January 1st (1872-2016)
Record weather events for this date in Macon County
Highest Temperature 78°F in Franklin in 1952
Lowest Temperature -2°F in Highlands in 1928
Greatest Rainfall 3.33 inches in Nantahala in 1974
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 14.0 inches in Franklin in 1877
Record weather events for December in Macon County
Highest Temperature 78°F in Franklin on Dec 31, 1951
Lowest Temperature -12°F in Highlands on Dec 30, 1917
Greatest Rainfall 6.00 inches in Highlands on Dec 14, 1901
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 12.0 inches in Franklin on Dec 21, 1876
All-time record weather events for Macon County
Highest Temperature 101°F in Franklin on Jul 29, 1952
Lowest Temperature -19°F in Highlands on Jan 21, 1985
Greatest Rainfall 21.15 inches in Highlands on Jul 29, 1879
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 25.5 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Mar 13, 1993
THREE DAY OUTLOOK
TODAY Cold Wave Continues...Dangerous Wind Chills in the Morning
Mostly sunny with highs ranging from the lower teens at the higher elevations to the low to mid-20s in the lower elevations. Winds chill values this morning will range from 6 below zero at the higher elevations to near zero in the lower elevations. Winds 5 to 10 mph out of the north.
TONIGHT Cold Wave and Dangerous Wind Chills
Mostly clear and brutally cold with lows ranging from 5 below zero at the higher elevations to around 7 degrees in the lower elevations. Wind chill values will range from ten below at the higher elevations to 5 below in the lower elevations.
TUESDAY Cold Wave. Wind chills below freezing
Sunny with highs ranging from around 20 at the higher elevations to near 30 in the lower elevations. Wind chills below zero in the morning and in the teens to the 20s the rest of the day. Winds 10 to 15 mph out of the north, gusting to the 25 mph range.
TUESDAY NIGHT Cold Wave Continues...
Partly cloudy with increasing clouds. Lows ranging from the mid-single digits at the higher elevations to around 12 degrees in the lower elevations. Winds out of the south around 5 mph.
WEDNESDAY Cold wave continues...Wind chills near zero in the morning
Partly sunny in the morning and mostly sunny by noon. Highs ranging from the mid-20s at the higher elevations to the mid-30s in the lower elevations. Winds chills will be below freezing. Winds 5 to 10 mph out of the west.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT Cold Wave Continues...Dangerous Wind Chills
Mostly clear with lows ranging from near zero at the higher elevations to near ten degrees in the lower elevations. Wind chills will be below zero at the higher elevations to around zero in the lower elevations.
HAZARDS
We are in a cold wave in Macon County. Over the next week, temperatures will be at or below freezing for an extended period of time and wind chills will be below zero overnights and in the mornings. If you have elderly family, friends, and neighbors, please check on them to make sure they are doing okay. Keep some extra blankets, flashlights, water, and food in your automobile.
The cold wave is expected to last most of the week and there is a slight possibility we may see a light snow at the end of it on Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory until noon today and another from 6 pm tonight to 10 am tomorrow and a Hazardous Weather Outlook for a Cold Wave that is expected to impact our area from Sunday through the middle of next week. The information is posted below:
***Wind Chill Advisory*** URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
231 AM EST Mon Jan 1 2018
...BLACK ICE AND BITTERLY COLD WIND CHILLS EXPECTED THIS MORNING ACROSS MUCH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS...
...EVEN COLDER WIND CHILLS EXPECTED AGAIN TONIGHT ACROSS MOST OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills occurring. Expect wind chills to fall to between 5 and 10 degrees below zero this morning. Very cold wind chills expected again tonight. Wind chill values should range from minus 5 to minus 10 degrees, with values as cold 15 below zero at the higher elevations.
* WHERE...Graham and Macon Counties in the North Carolina mountains.
* WHEN...For the first Wind Chill Advisory, until noon EST today. For the second Wind Chill Advisory, from 6 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Tuesday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS....The cold wind chills will cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Wind Chill Advisory means that cold air and the wind will combine to create low wind chills. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken. Make sure you wear a hat and gloves.
NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook
..SUNDAY...Cold wave possible. A very cold arctic air mass will move into the area Sunday and remain in place through the middle of the week. This will result in daily average temperatures up to 15 degrees below normal for several days in a row, creating the potential for prolonged dangerously cold conditions.
..TODAY...Cold wave likely. Bitter wind chills will continue.
..TUESDAY...Cold wave likely. Bitter wind chills will continue. Dry air may also increase fire danger.
..WEDNESDAY...Cold wave possible. Dry air may also increase fire danger.
..THURSDAY...Cold wave possible. Bitter wind chills will return during the early morning hours.
..FRIDAY...Cold wave possible.
..SATURDAY...Cold wave possible.
Macon Media maintains a Severe Weather Preparedness Page at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/p/breaking-news-hub.html for those who are interested.
As always, you can check to see what advisories, watches, and warnings are in effect for Macon County by visiting http://is.gd/MACONWARN
GOES-16 ABI CONUS - 11.20 um (Rainfall)
Image Produced at 03:57 am
MACON CALENDAR
If you have an event you wish to be added to this calendar, please send the information, along with a flyer in pdf format or a high-quality photo, to editor@maconmedia.com. If you want text published, please include a paragraph with your photo, flyer or graphics. Please include date(s) and time(s).
There is no charge for civic, educational or nonprofit groups, except for groups or events that receive funding from the TDA, TDC, and EDC, where full rates apply.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Appalachian South
Meets each Thursday at 7pm
The First Methodist Church Outreach Center
at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and West Main Street
(directly across from Lazy Hiker Brewery)
Come join our weekly support group for anyone suffering from mental illness and their family or friends. This includes Depression, Bipolar,8chizophrenia, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Etc.
Here you will find:
— others living with mental health challenges YOU ARE NOT ALONE
- learn coping skills and ?find hope in shared experience
- help learning how to break down stigma and guilt surrounding mental health
- how to live life with the expectation of a better a better future
Kay (706)970-9987 Denise (828)347-5000)
SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
On January 1, 2017, the Syringe Exchange Program of Franklin began operating a comprehensive harm reduction program to address the opioid epidemic that is impacting western NC. Opioid overdose reversal kits including naloxone are available free of charge. If you have any questions about our services or if you know someone interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Almeida at 828-475-1920.
Sun and Moon
Sun
Begin civil twilight 7:14 a.m.
Sunrise 7:42 a.m.
Sun transit 12:37 p.m.
Sunset 5:32 p.m.
End civil twilight 6:01 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 4:27 p.m. yesterday
Moon transit 11:41 p.m. last night
Moonset 6:58 a.m.
Moonrise 5:28 p.m.
Phase of the Moon on January 1, 2018: Full Moon at 9:24 p.m. (local standard time)
There will be three solar and two lunar eclipses in 2018. [LINK]
Heavens Above has an Android App that will assist you in observing the sky and even has a satellite tracker that will let you know when the International Space Station and dozens of other satellites are overhead. [LINK]
Stellarium is also an app that will assist you in observing the sky. It is available in both Android [LINK] and iOS versions. [LINK]
CROWD FUNDING 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.
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.
Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You have made it possible for Macon Media to begin purchasing state of the art equipment and begin work on building a real website with features not employed by any local news outlets.
You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
Posted at 4:35am on January 1, 2018
#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety
Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, and the Weather Prediction Center.
Google Traffic Map showing the traffic jam after the August 21, 2017, Solar Eclipse
Macon Media uses several tools to find out where traffic is congested or blocked during accidents, heavy traffic flow periods and hazardous weather events in order to share the information with motorists. Among them are the traffic layer in Google Maps and the Waze Traffic App for desktop and mobile devices. These are effective tools that anyone can use to travel more safely on the roads and use to avoid delays, hazards and accidents so you can get to where you want to be as safely as possible and make better time when commuting.
Traffic congestion marked on a Google Traffic Layer Map shared by Macon Media on November 11, 2017
Google Maps Traffic Layer
The Google Maps Traffic Layer works by analyzing the GPS-determined locations and speeds transmitted to Google by a large number of mobile phone users. By calculating the speed of users along a length of road, Google is able to generate a live traffic map. This is so accurate, it even shows where vehicles are stopped for traffic lights, automobile acidents (Macon Media has even identified accidents via the map before it was dispatched by the local EOC). It can also identify the locations of traffic stops and checkpoints. Google recently acquired the Waze traffic app and utilizes information added by Waze Users such as indicating where accidents or speed traps are located to the traffic map layer. Google is also developing a system to warn traffic users of protests that may delay travel or pose a hazard to travel and warn of active shooter or terrorist incidents and active crime scenes so motorists can safely avoid those situations.
The colors indicate the speed of traffic on the road. Green means traffic is moving along as usual and there is normal traffic. Orange means there's heavy traffic and it is moving a bit slower than usual traffic. Red means there are traffic delays. The more red, the slower the speed of traffic on the road.
This map is centered on Franklin, NC. You can move the map to other areas you are interested in seeing. Note that the traffic layer is less effective when there are not many people on the roads and in areas where there is no cell phone service.
Waze Users (also called Wazers) mark the location of an accident and the extent of traffic congestion in Otto, NC on December 27, 2017
Waze
Waze is an app for mobile devices that allows motorists to contribute data to a database that is then displayed on a map on your mobile device (or on the desktop if you have the desktop version). The app takes data from your phone that tracks your location and speed and displays it on a map for you. Data from other users is also displayed. You can see where nearby Waze Users are located and can see messages they add to the map that indicate hazards to traffic, like potholes, icy conditions or trees in the road and cars stopped on the shoulder and can post photos of traffic accidents and their location so you can slow down or take an alternate route. If a Waze User sees a speed trap or notes a police presence, they can add that to the map, too so other motorists will slow down and drive more safely. Motorists and state transportation officials also add information about road closures so motorists can plan a better route to their destination. The app can even locate the cheapest fuel prices near you. Earlier this year, information about carpool lanes and specialized routes for motorcyclists was added. An add-on is also available that will notify you when you are driving through a high-crime area.
You can get the Waze at at the following locations:
Waze Desktop Live Map (uses data from your browser to find your location. Zoom in to see details and click icons for more information) https://www.waze.com/livemap
CROWD FUNDING 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.
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information.
Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.
Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.
You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
We're all aware that there is a gas shortage in the region due to a combination of factors. On September 9th, a pipeline leak was discovered in rural Shelby County in Alabama. The pipeline that supplies over 100 million gallons of fuel to the eastern United States and it had to be shut until repaired or replaced. Right now, efforts are underway to bypass the damaged section. Until that can be done, fuel is being transported via over the road trucks and railroads, and our infrastructure isn't built to handle that amount of traffic, even if we could find enough trucks to haul the fuel.
A press release from Colonial Pipeline is posted at the end of this article and the photo included is from Colonial Pipeline.
There will be delays in keeping area gas stations supplied. What you can do to help alleviate the problem is not to top off your fuel tank every time you see a station with fuel. Just get fuel when your tank drops below a quarter of a tank and don't make unnecessary trips for the next few weeks until the situation is resolved and the flow of fuel through the pipeline returns to normal.
Until then, each day, Macon Media will post an open thread for people to let each other know who has fuel, what kind and the current price of that fuel. Please remember to keep the stations from running out of fuel quickly, please limit your visits to refuel only when necessary and don't bring every gas can you have to hoard fuel.
Use this post as the first open thread and we'll see how it goes. Good luck and please remember to be kind to one another.
To add information and to see what information people are sharing, please visit Facebook.
Posted on September 18, 2016 SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. – Colonial Pipeline issued the following update this afternoon regarding its ongoing response to a product release in Shelby County, Alabama, and the interruption of service to Line 1.
Yesterday evening, Colonial Pipeline began implementation of its plan to construct a bypass around the impacted segment of Line 1. Work conditions were favorable overnight and into today for bypass construction. The projected restart of Line 1 remains unchanged.
Recovery efforts at the initial release site will continue along with bypass construction. The safety and protection of the public, responders and the environment remains paramount in all activities.
Monitoring of the Cahaba River and a tributary, Peel Creek continues daily. Preliminary results, from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Colonial Pipeline environmental contractors, have shown no impact to either waterway as a result of this release.
The Cahaba Wildlife Management Area between State Highway 270 and Copperhead Road will remain closed to all non-local residents and is expected to remain closed during this response effort. The Cahaba Wildlife Management Shooting Range and access to ATV trails in the area also remain closed.
Colonial Pipeline today captured additional photos from the response site. Please click on the “Images/Video” button on the top right of this page.
About the incident: On Friday, September 9, 2016, a mining inspector in Shelby County, Ala., detected a gasoline odor on mining property. He alerted Colonial Pipeline, which operates two pipelines in the immediate vicinity. Both pipelines were shut down as a precaution and Colonial employees were dispatched for a visual survey of the site. Upon confirmation of a release, Colonial Pipeline mobilized a coordinated response effort with federal, state and local agencies as well as local emergency responders. Colonial Pipeline has more than 700 employees and partners on site working as safely and expeditiously as possible to repair the impacted segment of pipe and return to normal operations.
About Colonial Pipeline Company: Colonial Pipeline delivers more than 100 million gallons of refined products each day to markets between Houston and New York City, serving more than 50 million people. We transport refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, home heating oil and fuels for the U.S. military. Our pipeline system consists of more than 5,500 miles of underground pipe and above ground storage tanks and pump stations. The company is based in Alpharetta, Ga. For additional information visit www.colpipe.com.
CROWD FUNDING 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. If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online. You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia
To submit releases for publication, email me here. This includes Guest Commentaries. If you have a photo that you wish me to use with your press release or article, please send it to me, otherwise I'll use whatever I feel best fits your article.
Letters to the Editor
Send Letters to the Editor to editor@MaconMedia. Limit is one submission every seven days. You may include photos, video or audio. Submissions will be edited for vulgarity or similar reasons. Limit submissions to less than 10,000 words. LOL
For a quicker response, send me a message on Twitter or add me to a circle on Google Plus and send it just to me.
If you have been sending me press releases via my private email address, that will continue to work just fine. The Twitter or Google+ account will get my attention quicker.
NON PROFIT OR CIVIC EVENTS
Macon Media will promote nonprofit or civic events if contacted by an organizer of the event. This includes rallies, protests, community forums, and parades. Messeanger Link http://m.me/MaconMediaNews
If you're of a mind, and can afford it, a dollar a month (or more) from enough people will make a huge difference in improving the quality of coverage of local meetings and events, as well as allowing remote weather stations and weather cams to be deployed throughout the county that you will be able to access online.
Currently, 20 people have pledged $99 a month. This is a tremendous help. Please visit www.patreon.com/MaconMedia for more information on how to contribute.
Businesses can underwrite this coverage by day sponsorships, surplus equipment donations, etc. Inquire at editor@maconmedia.com for more information.
Donations accepted for the purpose of supporting this blog and activities related to improving it's operations and my coverage of local festivals and local government meetings.
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