Cold Wave Safety Briefing
Note the hurricane-like appearance of the nor'easter that is heading up the east coast of the United States.
The local National Weather Service has an excellent briefing on their website at http://www.weather.gov/media/gsp/YouTube/brief.pdf in PDF format.
In the next few days, 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
A strong cold Canadian high-pressure system will dominate our local weather pattern over the next several days. Temperatures will stay well below normal through the weekend, with a cold front bringing the next chance of precipitation, most likely in the form of rain, to our area early next week.
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 4th (1872-2016)
Record weather events for this date in Macon County
Highest Temperature 72°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2004
Lowest Temperature -6°F in Highlands in 1919
Greatest Rainfall 2.63 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1982
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 3.0 inches in Highlands in 1980
Record weather events for January in Macon County
Highest Temperature 78°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on Jan 28, 1999
Lowest Temperature -19°F in Highlands on Jan 21, 1985
Greatest Rainfall 4.30 inches in Nantahala on Jan 23, 1971
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 14.0 inches in Franklin on Jan 21, 1877
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/Very Windy/Dangerous Wind Chills/Outdoor Burning Not Recommended
Temperatures will start out ranging from near zero at the higher elevations to around 10 degrees in the lower elevations. Wind chills in the lower elevations will be near zero. Skies will be mostly sunny and temperatures will warm up to between the low teens at the higher elevations to the lower 20s in the lower elevations. Wind chills will range from near or below zero at the higher elevations to the teens and even single digits in the lower elevations. A high wind field will be crossing the county between 5 am and 7 pm today. Winds will range from 15 to 20 mph, with gusts in the 30 to 45 mph range, decreasing some in the afternoon. Please do not attempt outdoor burning today.
TONIGHT Cold Wave Continues...Dangerous Wind Chill Values
Mostly clear with lows ranging from near zero at the higher elevations to the mid to high single digits in the lower elevations. Wind chills will be around ten below or lower in the higher elevations and near zero or lower in the lower elevations. Winds will be out of the northwest 15 t0 20 mpg out of the northwest, gusting up to 35 mph.
FRIDAY Cold Wave/Dangerous Wind Chills/Outdoor burning not recommended
Wind chill values in the morning will range from ten below at the higher elevations to near zero in the lower elevations. Skies will be mostly sunny with highs ranging from the mid-teens at the higher elevations to the low to mid-20s in the lower elevations. Wind chill values will range from near or below zero at the higher elevations to the low teens in the lower elevations. Winds 10 to 15 mph out of the northwest with gusts in the 30 mph range.
FRIDAY NIGHT Cold Wave Continues...Dangerous Wind Chills
Mostly clear with lows ranging from near zero at the higher elevations to around ten degrees in the lower elevations. Wind chill values will range from the single digits below zero at the higher elevations to the single digits above zero in the lower elevations. Winds will be less than in recent days, being out of the northwest in the 5 to 10 mph range.
SATURDAY Cold wave continues...Dangerous Wind Chill Values
In the morning, wind chills will range from around 5 below at the higher elevations to the single digits above zero in the lower elevations. Skies will be sunny and temperatures will trend warmer, possibly reaching the upper 20s in the afternoon in the lower elevations. The higher elevations may break the 20-degree mark.
SATURDAY NIGHT Cold Wave Continues...
Mostly clear with lows ranging from the high single digits at the higher elevations to around 15 degrees in the lower elevation.
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 rain/snow/ice mix at the end of it in the late Sunday Monday time frame. Temperatures next week will probably only be 10 degrees below normal as opposed to our current 20 degrees below normal. Temperature be above freezing by the time the moisture arrives in our area if it is slower than forecast.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory until noon today. The information is posted below:
***Wind Chill Advisory**
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
532 PM EST Wed Jan 3 2018
...BITTER WIND CHILLS TO IMPACT THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS AGAIN TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY...
.A reinforcing cold front will cross the Appalachians from the northwest tonight and bring renewed cold air and very windy conditions back into the mountains. Bitter or dangerous wind chill values will likely result across the mountains. Very windy conditions will develop and persist as well.
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON EST THURSDAY...
* WHAT...very cold wind chills expected. Wind chill values will likely fall to between 5 and 15 degrees below zero. Very windy conditions will also develop, with northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph arriving overnight, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph at times, especially along the higher ridges.
* WHERE...Much of the mountains western North Carolina.
* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to noon EST Thursday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The cold wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin. The winds may blow around loose objects, and isolated power outages will be possible.
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
...TODAY...Cold wave likely. Dangerously cold wind chills are possible during the early morning hours.
..FRIDAY...Cold wave likely. Dangerously cold wind chills are possible during the early morning hours.
..SATURDAY...Cold wave likely. Dangerously cold wind chills are possible during the early morning hours.
..SUNDAY...Cold wave likely. Dry air may also increase fire danger.
..MONDAY...Winter weather possible. Moisture will increase atop the region Sunday night, as a cold high slowly retreats to the east. As precipitation develops during the pre-dawn hours, it will likely start as a wintry mix of snow, sleet and/or freezing rain before transitioning to all rain by midday Monday. Snow and ice accumulations should be light, but some areas may have hazardous road conditions early Monday morning.
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 03:07 am
MACON CALENDAR
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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 12:38 p.m.
Sunset 5:34 p.m.
End civil twilight 6:02 p.m.
Moon
Moonrise 6:34 p.m. last night
Moon transit 1:48 a.m.
Moonset 8:59 a.m.
Moonrise 7:43 p.m.
Phase of the Moon on January 3, 2018: Waning Gibbous with 96% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: Full Moon on January 1, 2018 at 9:24 p.m. (local standard time)
Sky Guides for this week
Sky and Telescope Magazine
Astronomy Magazine
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
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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 3:33 am on January 4, 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.
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