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National Situation Update: Saturday, December 15, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Weekend Winter Storm from the Plains to the Northeast
 A winter storm is forming over the Midwest and is forecast to move into the Tennessee Valley today and into Ohio by early Sunday and then redevelop along the DelMarVa coast. The coastal storm is then forecast to rapidly intensify as it moves northeastward to southern New England Sunday evening and into the Canadian Maritimes Monday.

West:  The next in a series of Pacific frontal systems will move ashore this morning producing rain showers and gusty winds from northern California to Washington.  Light to moderate snow will fall from the Cascades inland to the northern Rockies.

Midwest:  After dropping one to six inches over the Midwest the storm will move eastward into the lower Mississippi Valley to the Ohio River Valley with a wintery mix of snow, sleet and rain.  Several inches of rain could fall across Kentucky and southern Ohio and flood watches are in effect.  Parts of southern Michigan and northern Ohio may see substantial snow overnight by Sunday morning from an upper level low.  Precipitation will end in the Mississippi Valley tonight and across Michigan and the eastern two-thirds of the Ohio Valley tomorrow.

South:  The cold front moving eastward from the lower Mississippi Valley will produce rainfall over much of the Region today with significant amounts (one to three inches) in a band from Louisiana to western Tennessee. Thunderstorms are possible along Florida Panhandle tonight.
Parts of western Virginia and northwest North Carolina may see freezing rain.

Northeast: The Low pressure moving in from the Midwest along with a second low-pressure system developing over the mid Atlantic will produce a mix of rain, sleet and snow over the region this weekend.  Snow will begin late today western Pennsylvania spreading into New York State. But will transition to sleet and freezing rain and by Sunday just rain as temperatures warm to above freezing.  Sleet will develop over Maryland, northeast West Virginia and northern Virginia gradually changing to rain.  Interior Pennsylvania and the lower Hudson Valley could see significant sleet and ice on top of several inches of snow. Heavy snow will fall across western and northern New York, accumulating to over one foot.  On Sunday New England will have heavy snow changing rain by afternoon. Northern New England will have up to two feet of snow by Monday. As the low continues to deepen it will produce gusty winds of 50 to 60 mph. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Midwest Ice Storm

Region VI

Oklahoma
Over 288,00 customers are without power (Power restoration progress could be slowed due to snow storm over the weekend).
The American Red Cross reported 48 shelters remain open with 3,500 people.(Region VI, OK OEM, NGB)

Region VII

Iowa
Joint PDAs should begin on Monday, December 17.
9 Shelters remain open with 45 people.
State reports 7,670 customers without power.

Kansas
46 shelters remain open with 1,320 people.
State reports 70,815 customers without power.
Weekend storm snow fall could delay power restoration up to 7-10 days.

Missouri
26 shelters/5 warming centers remain open with 625 people.
State reports 36,690 customers without power.
Weekend storm snow fall could delay power restoration.(Region VII, MO SEOC, NGB, ACE)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico/Eastern Pacific/Central Pacific:
No activity.
Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings.  ( NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity in the United States or its territories during the last 24 hours.

There was a magnitude 6.3 earthquake 90 miles north of Saumlaki, Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia at a depth of 12.6 miles on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 4:39 am (EST). No tsunami was generated and there were no reports of damage or injures.  (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Iowa: Public assistance PDA's are scheduled to begin on Monday 17 December 2007
PDAs in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma continue.
Joint PDAs on the island of Maui, Hawaii continue.
PDAs in Oregon and Washington continue. (HI Civil Defense, Region IX, Region X, Washington, Oregon)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)