Hazardous Weather Outlook

The National Weather Service in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina has issued a hazardous weather outlook for piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, and northeast Georgia, including Rabun County.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 2pm until 8pm on Wednesday, April 21.  A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.  Dry conditions and gusty winds will likely produce more fire weather concerns for Thursday afternoon and evening.  In addition, a Freeze Warning is in effect from midnight to 9am on Thursday, April 22, with sub-freezing temperatures in the mid-20s to lower 30s expected.  Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.  Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.  An unseasonably cold air mass will remain over the region into late week. Frost and freeze threats may return to the area Thursday night into Friday morning.