Daily Weather Briefing for Wednesday, March 1, 2017

…Threat for severe storms shifts east into the Tennessee and upper Ohio valleys as well as from southern New England down to the Southeast…

…Record warmth expected for many along the East Coast today…

…Unsettled weather to return to the Pacific Northwest…

Ongoing rounds of severe storms early this morning across the Midwest and Ohio valley will continue to move east today well out ahead of a strong cold front extending from the Great Lakes to Texas. Additional storms are expected to develop near the cold frontal boundary later today with a broad threat for severe storms highlighted by the Storm Prediction Center, extending from the Ohio and Tennessee valleys into the I-95 corridor from New York City down into the Carolinas. While strong straight line winds are expected to be the main concern, large hail and tornadoes will also be possible along with flash flooding. The flash flood threat will be especially focused along the upper Ohio valley into the north-central Appalachians today.

High temperatures ahead of the cold front will be in the 70s and 80s from the New York City metro and southward, with southern New England likely seeing widespread 60s. These values are 15 to 30 degrees above average early March normals, and high temperature records are expected to be set across several cities from southern New England and New York down to the Gulf Coast. The other feature of this storm system worth noting will be a stripe of light to locally moderate snow from eastern Wisconsin into northern lower Michigan toady where up to 6 inches will be possible with locally higher totals.

Temperatures behind the front will cool down to near average for Thursday, and in fact will be close to average across the entire country. The one exception will be the Dakotas into Minnesota on Thursday where high temperatures are forecast to stay in the teens and 20s behind a secondary surge of cold air.

After the large storm system exits the eastern U.S., the weather across the nation will be fairly quiet. Light snow, possibly mixed with rain on the south side, will streak across portions of the Midwest on Thursday, reaching the northern Mid-Atlantic region Friday morning.

Across the Pacific Northwest, light rain and snow will continue through Thursday morning at which point a cold front will approach the region bringing a renewed surge of lower elevation rain and mountain snow to western Washington and Oregon.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER POSSIBLE TODAY

A line of storms may bring severe thunderstorms to Macon County sometime this afternoon or early evening. Please pay attention to local radio and TV broadcasts and where ever you get your weather information throughout the day. If you are outside, pay attention to the sky and come indoors before storms arrive. More information on the storms are in the Hazardous weather segment further down on this page.

LOCAL OVERVIEW

Expect numerous showers and thunderstorms today with some of the storms being strong to severe. All rain will end tonight as a cold front crosses from the northwest. Cool high pressure will build in behind the front into the weekend before another front crosses the area early next week.

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.

THREE DAY OUTLOOK

WEDNESDAY (Severe Weather Outbreak Possible)

Cloudy with highs near 70. Variable light winds rising to 5 to 10 mph from the southeast in the afternoon. Wind gusts to 20 mph, higher in thunderstorms. Near 100% chance of rain. Rain is expected between 8 am to midnight, mainly after noon with an increased chance for thunderstorms between noon and midnight, with an expectation that a line may come through the area between 3 pm and 7 pm, some of them may be severe, with torrential rains, damaging winds and hail being the main concern. Rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch expected.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Cloudy with lows near freezing. Winds switching to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph, with gusts to 20 mph, higher in thunderstorms. Near 100% chance of rain, heavy at times. Rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch is expected.

THURSDAY

Sunny with highs near the mid 50s and winds out of the northwest near 10 mph.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear with lows near 30 and winds 5 to 10 mph from the northwest, becoming calm before midnight.

FRIDAY

Sunny with highs near 50.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear with lows near the mid 20s.

HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is possible today, mainly between noon and 7 pm. A line of storms that has a history of producing tornadoes and severe thunderstorms will approach our region sometime this afternoon or early evening. The main concern with these storms is brief torrential rain, damaging winds frequent lightning, and hail. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for today. It is posted below:

Ahead of a cold front, gusty south to southwest winds are expected today across the mountains. While most areas will see gusts in the 25 to 35 mph range, exposed peaks and ridge tops will see occasional wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

As the front approaches the area later today, a line of showers and strong to severe thunderstorms will move into the southern Appalachians by late afternoon. In addition to the potential for locally heavy rain and frequent cloud to ground lightning, there will be a threat of locally damaging winds, with the best chance for damaging winds expected across the North Carolina counties bordering Tennessee, and across the Georgia mountains.

After the cold front sweeps through the area this evening, winds will turn from the northwest and strengthen. Wind gusts of 50 mph or more will be possible, especially near the Blue Ridge and across the high elevations.

..TODAY…High winds possible. Gusty northwest winds will continue across the mountains into Thursday morning.

As always, you can check to see what advisories, watches and warnings are in effect for Macon County by visiting http://is.gd/MACONWARN

MACON CALENDAR

If you have an event you wish to be added to this calendar, please send the information, along with a flyer or photo, to [email protected]
There is no charge for civic, educational or non profit groups.

Be the Voice for a Child! Don’t let another child’s voice go unheard. The Guardian Ad Litem program is currently seeking volunteers in your community to be the voice of a foster child in court. The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program thrives on volunteerism, and its vital work is only made possible by dedicated volunteers who are committed to the cause of keeping children safe from future harm. We will have a training class for volunteers in Sylva starting March 16, 2017. We would love to have you join us. It’s not too late to apply!

If you have an interest in becoming the voice for a child, contact Joe Allen at the Macon County GAL office at 828-349-7222 or Shannon Cowan at the Jackson County GAL Office at 828-587-2087. You can also find out more about the program by visiting www.ncgal.org or www.facebook.com/ncGuardianAdLitem

Weather Extremes Almanac for March 01, 2017

North Carolina

High Temperature 90ºF in Fayetteville, Cumberland County in 1997
Low Temperature -4ºF in Montreat, Yancey County in 1941
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 4.20 inches in Murphy, Cherokee County in 1875
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 26.0 inches in Edenton, Chowan County in 1927

Macon County

High Temperature 75ºF at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1972
Low Temperature 6°F in Highlands in 1920
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 2.50 inches in Franklin in 1875
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 8.0 inches at the Nantahala in 1968

Astronomy

Twilight Begins: 6:37 am
Sunrise: 7:03 am
Sunset 6:29 pm
Twilight Ends: 6:55 pm
Day Length: 12 hours 18 minutes
Sunrise to Sunset: 11 hours 26 minutes

Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent with 12% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated
Moonrise 9:02 am
Moonset 9:58 pm

Observing the Skies

Evening Events and Planets