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National Situation Update: Thursday, June 7, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

West:  A trough of low pressure extending from the system in the Midwest will produce rain and snow showers over Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, northern Utah and northwest Colorado.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in parts of the northern Rockies to the 90s in the lower Colorado River Valley, southwest Arizona and southern New Mexico.

Midwest:  A frontal system extending from a low near the Canadian border will produce a significant severe weather outbreak for much of the Midwest and southern Plains today. Severe weather implies thunderstorms, gusty winds, hail and tornadoes.  The precipitation and severe weather will extend along the front from the Dakotas to Oklahoma. The northern portion of the front will move east as far as the Great Lakes by tonight.  On the backside of the frontal system rain is forecast for the Dakotas and northern Minnesota.  High temperatures will range from the 50s in parts of the Dakotas to the 90s in most of the lower Midwest.

South:  Much of the Deep South will be have isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms.  High temperatures in the 80s and 90s will be widespread.

Northeast: High pressure just off the Mid Atlantic will result in pleasant seasonal weather for the region.  High temperatures are forecast to range from the 60s in parts of far northern New England to the 90s in south-central Virginia and western West Virginia. (NWS, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean: No significant tropical activity
Eastern Pacific: No significant tropical activity.
Western Pacific: No significant tropical activity.
Gulf of Oman: The final warning has been issued on Tropical Cyclone 02A (Gonu) which is  forecast to dissipate over Iran within 12 hours. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

There was no significant activity in the United States or its territories during the last 24 hours.

On Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 8:40 pm EST an earthquake measuring 6.1 struck about 675 miles North of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.  There were no reports of damage or injuries and there was no tsunami generated (NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Individual Assistance PDAs for two parishes in Louisiana are scheduled to begin June 7, 2007. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  2

States Most Affected: Georgia, Florida, and California

National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, 6 June, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. EDT:
Initial attack activity: Light (166 new fires burning 6,475 acres).
New large fires:                 4
Large fires contained:                2
Uncontained large fires:              14
Year to date fires:       40,858
Year to date acres burned 1,409,198

Current Fire Situation:
The rainfall in Florida has helped the firefighters with the containment of the large fires in the state. Several historical sites, however, remain threatened. Lightning activity ignited new fires in Utah and Nevada causing some road closures. 

Fire Weather Discussion:
Strong winds and dry conditions will continue today over the Southwest, southern California, portions of the Great Basin and Colorado associated with a large low pressure trough. Cool and wet conditions will continue to move in behind the cold front over the West. Cooler conditions with showers will move into interior Alaska today. Showers and thunderstorms will continue in Florida with drier conditions for much of Alabama and Tennessee. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, Joint Information Center FL/GA), media)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1706-DR was declared Wednesday, June 6, 2007 for the state of Nebraska, for Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes. The declaration includes Public Assistance for 19 counties and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide. The FCO is Lee H. Rosenberg.  (FEMA HQ)