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National Situation Update: Thursday, April 12, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Two major storms are impacting the country, one over the Midwest and the other entering the country through California.

Midwest
A strong early spring storm moved out of the Rockies over the weekend and into the Plains states, focusing on the intersection of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. The storm moves out of the Midwest late this afternoon, but not before leaving wet snow from the Dakotas to northern Illinois and Michigan. Accumulations in these areas may be in the 6-8" range.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Southwestern Wisconsin, Southeast Michigan, Northeast Iowa, East Central Wisconsin and Green Bay, and Northern/Northeast Michigan for heavy, wet snow and east to northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph.

Northeast
The Midwest storm is expected to head east and bring significant snows to the Adirondacks and much of New England late today, bringing rain and snow.

A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for sections of northeastern New York, Vermont, central and northern New Hampshire, and western and northern Maine, which could pick up 6 to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow.

A Winter Storm Warning is also in effect for southern New England, minus the Cape, for heavy snow accumulations up to one to two inches per hour for up to eight hours, and the possibility of sleet in some areas.

The remainder of the region should have periods of moderate to heavy rain and chilly temperatures.

West
The next major storm to impact the entire country has moved into California, bringing valley rain and mountain snow as the system crosses the Intermountain West. Some accumulations of 12 or more inches of snow are possible above 8,000 feet.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until Saturday. Rain will change to snow Thursday evening. Moderate to heavy snow will be possible at times throughout the day on Friday along with gusty winds between 25 and 35 mph, producing areas of blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibilities. Snowfall ranging from 8 to 12 inches is possible through the duration of the storm. Snowfall, along with the blowing and drifting snow, will begin to taper off Friday evening.

Afternoon thunderstorms are expected in southern Nevada, northern Arizona and northern New Mexico as the storm passes by. Tonight and Friday the storm moves over the Rockies, bringing the chance of severe thunderstorms to the western Plains and producing snow for Denver.

South
A new storm emerges from the Rockies Thursday night and Friday, bringing severe thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes to the southern Plains, eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Northern and Central Georgia, Central North and South Carolinas, Northeast Carolinas, Eastern Virginia and Southern Maryland.

Scattered thunderstorms pass through the Southeast as a cold front moves through the region, producing hail and gusty winds. That cold front drops southward through the Florida peninsula with scattered thunderstorms along it, while the rest of the South enjoys a fine spring day. (NWS)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

On Wednesday, a wildfire caused minor damage to two homes and threatened three homes on White Oak Mountain in Catoosa County, Tennessee.  The fire burned ten acres.

Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina.

Forecasters are predicting another bad wildfire season this year in Nevada. Experts say the dry winter and a predicted hot summer could cause a fire season just as destructive as last year's. In 2006, flames scorched more than 1.3 million acres of land in mainly the eastern part of the state, setting a new record. Last year, the state spent $10 million fighting fires.(NIFC, media sources)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)