Weather Briefing for Friday, May 14, 2021

OUTLOOK

A couple of upper level disturbances will cross the area through tonight, resulting in a chance of showers and increased cloud cover over the mountains. Then drier high pressure will build into the region from the north Friday and continue through the weekend, with a slow warming trend. Expect warmer weather next week with a gradual increase in rain chances by midweek.

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Local News Update
(National News is published after the Macon Calendar section)

PRESS RELEASE (05-13-2021) MACON PUBLIC HEALTH

Macon County Reports Additional Death Related to COVID-19

Macon County Public Health received notification that a Macon County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 has passed away. To protect the family ́s privacy, no further information will be released about this individual. This death brings Macon County to thirty-eight (38) deaths related to COVID-19.

“This family is in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” said Health Director, Kathy McGaha. McGaha continued, “Macon County residents can help protect themselves and our community by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Macon County’s has Appointments available for the lifesaving vaccine for all who are age 18 and over, and are pre-registering those between 12 and 17 for future clinics. The more individuals who get this vaccine, the more likely that we will stop seeing COVID-19 deaths.”

The entire state of North Carolina requires masks to be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. Therefore, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s orders and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces. The public can monitor the different phases of re-opening and learn more about the restrictions at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance. If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm, until further notice. To register and schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine, please call 828-524-1500. The vaccine call center is open from 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday through Friday, until further notice.

National Weather Map for Today

General forecast through Sunday Night

Franklin area

Today

Air quality is in the extereme upper range of green for most of the county, with the ridges and other higher elevations today being in the upper range of green.

Fire and Smoke Map
(There are no significant sources of smoke in the region as of 3am on 04-22-2021.)

Highest Temperature 90°F in Franklin in 1956
Lowest Temperature 28°F in Highlands in 1910
Greatest Rainfall 2.99 inches in Franklin in 1976
Greatest Snowfall (No snowfall recorded on this date since records started being kept in 1872)