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National Situation Update: Thursday, November 24, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Snowy Thanksgiving in the Midwest and Northeast

Northeast:  The Northeast will see snow, rain and wind on Thanksgiving caused by a cold front moving south from Canada. Light snow is forecast for the Atlantic Coastal areas, while inland regions may receive several inches. Areas near the Great Lakes could see several feet of snow.  High temperatures will range from the 20s in parts of northwest Pennsylvania, southwest New York and Upstate New York to near 60s in southeast Virginia.

Midwest:  Areas south and east of the Great Lakes will see heavy snowfall on Thanksgiving including Michigan, northern Indiana, and northeastern Ohio. Light snow is expected over the rest of the Midwest stretching as far south as Kentucky. Cold and windy weather is forecast for the Midwest with highs ranging from the teens in northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin to the 30s in the Ohio Valley. High temperatures in the Plains area are expected to range from the 20s in North Dakota to the 50s in Kansas.

South:  Dry weather will prevail across the South for Thanksgiving. Isolated rain or snow showers are possible in the southern Appalachians. High temperatures will range from the 40s in Tennessee to the 80s in Texas. The Gulf Coast area will be in the 60s-70s. Temperatures are expected to be cooler in the South on Friday.

West:  A low pressure system will bring rainfall into the Pacific Northwest (from Washington to Northern California) on Thanksgiving. Highs in the West will range from the 30s in the Rockies, Bitterroots and Columbia Basin to the 80s in the southwestern desert area. (NWS, Media Sources)

Commuter Train Collides with Vehicles in Chicago Area

A commuter train in the Chicago area collided with several vehicles during rush hour injuring at least 16 people according to media reports. A train service spokesperson indicated at least 3 people were in critical condition. The accident occurred at a crossing on a road that was heavily traveled by commuters when the incident occurred about 5:00 pm CST. There were conflicting accounts as to whether the crossing gates were working properly at the time of the accident. Several of the vehicles struck by the train then careened into other vehicles caught in the rush-hour traffic.  (media sources)

Tropical Activity

The 25th named Tropical Storm of the 2005 season has formed in the Atlantic Ocean (Tropical Storm Delta) approximately 1,150 miles southwest of the Azores Islands. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 miles per hour and it is possible that Delta could briefly become a hurricane. The NWS indicates the storm impacts will be minimal during the next few days except for Atlantic shipping interests. The current five-day forecast shows Delta turning and moving northward, therefore Delta will most likely not pose a threat to U.S. interests. There is no tropical storm formation expected in other parts of the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season has produced many records, including a record number of named storms (25). There have also been 13 hurricanes so far this season breaking the old record of 12 set in 1969. Another record set was for the most category five hurricanes (3) in a season with Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Wilma is now the strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin with a pressure of 882 millibars, breaking the old record by Gilbert set in 1988 with a pressure of 888 millibars. Katrina will likely be the costliest U.S. hurricane on record.

There is no tropical storm formation expected in the Pacific Ocean. (National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, media sources)

Earthquake Activity

A light earthquake (magnitude 4.1) struck about 235 miles northwest of Spokane, Washington on Wednesday at 3:53 pm EST. There were no reports of damages or injuries. (USGS, NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, FEMA Region X)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Alaska requested a major disaster declaration due to severe winter storms, extreme tidal surges, winds, and flooding that impacted the State of Alaska from September 22-26, 2005. The Governor requested Public Assistance for five areas: (Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area [REAA], Northwest Arctic Borough, Kashunamiut REAA, Lower Kuskokwim REAA, and the Lower Yukon REAA) and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

The Governor of Kentucky requested a major disaster declaration due to extreme fall storms and tornadoes that impacted the Commonwealth of Kentucky on November 15, 2005. The Governor requested Individual Assistance for Hopkins and Marshall Counties and Hazard Mitigation for all counties in the Commonwealth.   (FEMA HQ)