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National Situation Update: Friday, December 23, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Northeast: Look for a warming trend and melting snow across the Northeast as we move into the Christmas weekend. Today into Saturday, a weak disturbance will bring a little snow, light wintry mix and sprinkles to Upstate New York and northern New England. A stronger storm will arrive Saturday night and Sunday with rain east of the Appalachians and across the major east Coast metro areas and rain changing to snow for areas in or west of the mountains. Snow showers will linger over interior sections Monday through Wednesday. Another shot of cold air is on tap by midweek.

Midwest:  This morning may begin with some light freezing rain across the northern Great Lakes and showers to the south. Fog will be widespread from the Upper Midwest to parts of Illinois and Indiana resulting in low visibilities. On Saturday, a storm will track across the lower Missouri and Ohio Valleys before exiting into the Mid-Atlantic Sunday. Rain will spread up through the Ohio Valley to the Great Lakes. North and west of the storm, rain or a wintry mix will change to snow and significant accumulations are possible later Saturday into Sunday from parts of Iowa and Missouri to Lower Michigan. Temperatures will be above average Friday and Saturday, but could be slightly below average in the Ohio Valley Sunday which translates to the 30s across Great Lakes and Upper Midwest to the 40s and 50s in Kentucky, southern Missouri, Kansas and the high Plains.

South:  After a chilly morning, temperatures will trend upward across the South today. Under mostly sunny skies, highs will range from the 50s from the Piedmont through the southern Appalachians to the 70s across much of Texas and southern Florida. Temperatures will be mild on Saturday as a storm system approaches. An advancing cold front will bring showers to the Tennessee Valley and northern Gulf Coast states Saturday and the coastal Southeast Sunday. Behind the front, the Cumberland Plateau and southern Appalachians could see a few flurries of snow on Christmas Day.

West:  Although light intermittent rain and mountain snow may continue in Portland, Seattle, and the Cascades; quieter conditions can be expected throughout much of northern California (including the Sierra), Nevada, eastern Oregon, and southern Idaho. A new storm system will enter the picture by Christmas Day and promises to supply another round of rain (heavy at times) and mountain snows through the majority of the Pacific Northwest (both coastal and interior). The tremendous waves of the last few days in southern California will begin to subside, yet prepare for another fairly significant offshore wind event. Down sloping winds out of the east and northeast will help to provide very warm and breezy conditions across much of Southern Cifornia allowing many locations including Los Angeles and San Diego to approach record highs (in the lower 80s). Records highs may also be experienced in southern Nevada, Arizona, and southern Utah Christmas weekend.  (Source: NOAA/NWS and various media outlets)

Tropical Activity

There is no tropical activity in the Atlantic, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico.

There is no tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific, Western and Central Pacific, or Indian Ocean. (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.

A minor 3.0 earthquake was recorded 27 miles southwest of Hawaiian Beaches, HI. No reports of injuries, damages, or requests for assistance have been received.  (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Preliminary damage assessments for Public Assistance were completed December 21, 2005 for the eight counties in Minnesota affected by severe winter storms that occurred on November 27, 2005.  (Source: FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)