Weather Briefing for Saturday, January 31, 2026
STORM SPONSOR
Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media for the duration of this storm.
They offer 24 hr emergency service and Danger Tree removal.
They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Crane Service, Pruning, Views. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.
DAY SPONSOR
This space available
GENERAL FORECAST
(since this is a quick forecast intended to cover the whole county, bear in mind that higher elevations may experience cooler temperatures than this and the lower elevations may experience higher temperatures than those in the forecast)
..TODAY.…Cloudy. Areas of fog this morning. Snow, mainly this morning. Snow may be heavy at times this morning. Snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches. Colder with highs in the lower 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph, increasing to 40 mph this afternoon. Chance of snow 90 percent. Wind chill values as low as 6 below this afternoon.
..TONIGHT.…Mostly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Patchy blowing snow. Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Blustery, cold with lows around 4 above. North winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Wind chill values as low as 16 below.
..SUNDAY.…Sunny, blustery with highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, diminishing to 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 15 below in the morning.
..SUNDAY NIGHT.…Partly cloudy. Cold with lows around 9 above. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening. Wind chill values as low as zero.
..MONDAY.…Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
..MONDAY NIGHT.…Partly cloudy. Cold with lows in the lower 20s.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Temperatures will remain very cold through early next week. A strong arctic front may bring the coldest weather of the season this weekend. Temperatures across portions of the area are likely to remain below freezing until at least Monday afternoon. As this period of unusually cold weather continues, the potential for damage to infrastructure, including burst water pipes will steadily increase.
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
206 AM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST SUNDAY…
* WHAT…Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
* WHERE…The mountains of North Carolina.
* WHEN…Until 7 AM EST Sunday.
* IMPACTS…The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce isolated power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snow is expected to rapidly stick to roads and other surfaces due to temperatures in the 20s. Very gusty winds today could result in areas of blowing snow, causing very poor visibility.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Extreme Cold Watch
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
200 AM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
…EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1 PM EST SUNDAY…
* WHAT…Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 22 below zero expected with the highest peaks seeing wind chills as low as 25 to 30 below zero.
* WHERE…The mountains of North Carolina.
* WHEN…From 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST Sunday.
* IMPACTS…The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Pets and livestock will be endangered by extreme cold if left unprotected for extended periods.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.
• xxx [The Hill]
• Journalist Don Lemon is charged with federal civil rights crimes in anti-ICE church protest [AP News]
• Government shuts down again after Democrats revolt over DHS funding [Fox News]
• Gold sinks to $4,900, silver crashes 25% as precious metals trade unwinds [Yahoo Finance]
• Everything you need to know about Kevin Warsh, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve [CNBC]
Senate Votes on Government Funding Bill | Balance of Power 01/30/2026 | Bloomberg Television
Senate floor as leaders debate bipartisan deal to avert partial shutdown | C-SPAN
Ceasefire Podcast: Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R) & San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (D) | C-SPAN
PBS News Hour full episode, Jan. 30, 2025
Technology and Science News
Silver Drops 38% | Ben Cowen
• Bitcoin Mining Profits Hit 14-Month Low After Winter Storm Rocks Miners: CryptoQuant [Decrypt]
• Bitcoin loses crucial $84K support: How low can BTC price go? [Coin Telegraph]
NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and ASN (Aviation Safety Network) Accident Investigation Pages
• Cirrus SR22T Crash [09/18/2025 - Franklin, NC]
• Crash of N259UP at Louisville-Muhammad Ali International Airport [Aviation Safety Network]
• You can now support Macon Media with a $1.99 monthly Facebook subscription at https://www.facebook.com/MaconMediaNews/posts/pfbid0sraDv94aqwTXUA5KqivnmL3U4H5bhjgkZkYdmknBUx5fedENQXAWuQZqndTyNhUel?comment_id=1161740932841534
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.
Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia
Published at 6.00am on Saturday, January 31, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins