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National Situation Update: Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Northeast:  A cold front pushing down through New York and New England kept temperatures below average again on Tuesday. Look for scattered snow showers across parts of Upstate New York and western Pennsylvania. High temperatures will range from the teens in the Adirondacks and far northern New England to the 40s in much of Virginia. New York City and Philadelphia will be in the chilly 30s.

Midwest:  Warmer conditions in the Plains will continue eastward through the region on Wednesday. A few snow showers are possible across parts of Michigan but no significant accumulations are expected. High temperatures should range from the 20s in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes to the 50s on the high plains of western Nebraska and western Kansas. By Thursday, most of the region will see high temperatures above freezing.

South:  Most of the Southeast will remain cool today but temperatures will begin to moderate by Thursday. High temperatures should range from the 40s across the Tennessee Valley and 50s around the Gulf Coast to 60s across west and south Texas to the low 70s across extreme southern Florida.

West: More heavy rain will fall on northwest California and southwest Oregon as yet another Pacific storm unleashes its fury along the coast. Snow levels will range from around 4500 feet in the northern Washington Cascades to 8000 feet in the Sierras. East of the Cascades, cold air at the surface will result in freezing rain through eastern Washington and parts of central and eastern Oregon. Meanwhile, gusty winds and high surf will pound the coasts of Washington, Oregon and northern California. High temperatures will be relatively mild ranging from the 20s in Yellowstone National Park and the northern Washington Cascades to the 70s in southwest Arizona and the lower elevations of Southern California.  (Source: NOAA/NWS and various media outlets)

Winter Solstice

The astronomical season of winter begins at the instant of the Winter Solstice, which occurs on the 21st at 1:35 pm EST.  At this time the center of the Sun's disc stands directly overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn at a point some 1,500 kilometers west of Antofagasta, Chile.  From this time until next June 21st the Sun will follow a northward path.  This event marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which in Washington D.C. translates to 9 hours 27 minutes of daylight. (United States Naval Observatory)

Tropical Activity

There is no tropical activity in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Pacific.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is tracking two systems, TC 07B and TS 25W; however, neither system threatens US interests. (Source: USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No major earthquakes were recorded during the last 24 hours. 

Among the recorded events, there have been minor earthquakes in Alaska, and California, and a 3.0 magnitude earthquake was registered about 29 ESE of Baton Rouge, LA.

There are no reports of casualties, damages, or requests for assistance at this time. (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1620-DR-SD, South Dakota major disaster declaration was signed by the President and is effective December 20, 2005. The declaration incident period is November 27-29, 2005 due to severe winter storm. Public Assistance will be provided to Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles, Mix, Clark, Codington, Davison, Day, Deuel, Douglas, Edmunds, Grant, Gregory, Hamlin, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Marshall, Miner, Roberts, Sanborn, and Spink Counties. All counties in the State of South Dakota are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

FEMA-1613-DR-PR Amendment # 1 is issued for Puerto Rico. Effective December 20, 2005 this major disaster declaration is amended to include Adjuntas, Cayey, Guayanilla, Jayuya, and Orocovis Municipalities for Public Assistance. (Source: FEMA HQ)