National Situation Update: Saturday, November 12, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West: A low pressure area and associated frontal system is moving ashore over the Pacific Northwest. Rain and mountain snow are forecast for Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming with snow levels ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The low will produce gusty winds for the coasts of Washington and Oregon tonight and early Sunday. Rain and mountain snow are forecast for the Four Corners area with the heaviest precipitation over Colorado.

Midwest: The frontal system extending southward from a low over the western Great Lakes will be the source of the most significant weather over the Continental United States today. Steady rain will cover the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley. Severe thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon into early Sunday across Iowa, Illinois, southeast Nebraska, eastern Kansas and Missouri. The cold front will move out into the southern Plains with some afternoon and evening severe thunderstorms across parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and northern Texas.

South: Freeze Warnings are in effect for coastal areas from Delaware to the Georgia border this morning. Temperatures will warm during the day and High pressure will result in nice seasonal weather.

Northeast : High pressure centered off the east coast will produce seasonal conditions across the Northeast after a chilly morning with Freeze Warnings in effect for coastal areas from Connecticut New York and New Jersey. By Sunday afternoon, the frontal system moving in from the Midwest will produce showers and thunderstorms over western New York, western and central Pennsylvania and West Virginia. (NWS and Various Media Sources)

Recovery of Electric Service in Florida

Florida Power and Light (FPL) reports that the remaining 2,235 customers without power will be the focus of FPL crews for Saturday, November 12.(Florida Power & Light)

Tropical Activity

There are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Eastern or Western Pacific Ocean.(National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Alaska recorded 14 minor earthquakes in the last 24 hours, as listed by the National Earthquake Information Center, with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 3.6. There were no reports of damage. (USDOI/USGS, National Earthquake Information Center)