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National Situation Update: Monday, February 25, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West
Snow showers are forecast for the mountains of northern New Mexico.  The NWS has issued an  Avalanche Warning for the mountains of northern California.  The mountains surrounding Mt. Shasta have received several feet of new snow over the last few days and an additional foot is expected over the next 24 hours.  High temperatures will be close to seasonal averages ranging from the 20s in the Rockies and portions of eastern Montana to around 80 Arizona.

South
Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for all of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico until 10:00 p.m. EST tonight.  Winds in excess of 20 mph, combined with relative humidity less than 25 percent will result in extreme fire danger.  The majority of the southern U.S. will remain dry with a chance of a late-day shower in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.  Showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop later in the day in the lower Mississippi Valley.  High temperatures will be above late winter averages ranging from the upper 50s in northeast Tennessee and northwest North Carolina to the 90s along the lower Rio Grande Valley.

Midwest
This evening, a swath of snow is expected to extend from the eastern portions of South Dakota and Nebraska into the southern Great Lakes.  Accumulations as high as four to eight inches is likely from southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska to the Wisconsin-Illinois border.  Across northern Illinois, rain and freezing rain will be the initial precipitation types with a transition to snow expected later today.  Snow will continue to fall tonight, especially in northern and central Illinois and spread eastward across southern Michigan.  High temperatures are forecast to range from the teens in northeast North Dakota to the low 60s in extreme southern Kansas.

Northeast 
A chance of snow showers or flurries is forecast for northern New York state and northern New England area today.  Temperatures will be slightly above late February averages with highs ranging from around 30 in northern Maine to the low 60s in south-central Virginia.  A winter storm is expected across New England on Tuesday and is expected to continue through Wednesday.  Widespread snow will likely develop and continue during the day.  There is a chance for some mixed precipitation with sleet or rain across central and south central Vermont during Tuesday afternoon and night. (NWS, Media Sources)

Midwest Flooding

Indiana
Water levels along the Kankakee River continue to fall.  Another storm system is expected to impact the area early this week, leading to potentially light to moderate rainfall across the basin.  Water levels are expected to rise tonight and Tuesday in accordance with expected rainfall.  Moderate flooding is occurring and is expected to continue for the Tippecanoe River in Oswego County.

Illinois
Moderate flooding is occurring and is expected to continue for the Illinois River in Henry, La Grange, Meredosia and Valley City Counties. (NWS)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Nevada
State/Federal PDA teams completed their field assessment on Saturday, and will conduct a PDA closeout meeting this morning. (USGS, FEMA Region IX)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Kentucky
JFO build out team anticipates the JFO will be fully operational by 12:00 p.m. CST today.  Thomasville-MERS Unit has arrived with personnel and equipment to support operations.  Two MDRCs are operational in Muhlenberg County; additional MDRCs are on standby in Lexington, KY and Nashville, TN.  Reporting responsibilities has transitioned to the ERT-A, located at the JFO in Lexington, KY. (FEMA HQ)