National Situation Update: Saturday, January 21, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Some Relief for Wildfire Responders in Southwest is Forecast
South: A cool rain is forecast to fall in the drought areas of central and eastern Texas plus southeast Oklahoma on Sunday, which will lessen the fire danger. An upper-level low pressure coming out of the Southwest during the coming week may produce additional rainfall from Texas to the Southeast Coastal area Wednesday through Friday.
There are no Red Flag Warnings posted.
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma indicates by Sunday there will be no critical areas for fire weather outlook. The Southern Great Plains will receive some relief from several days of critical fire weather conditions as a high pressure system builds over most of the U. S. -- bringing cooler temperatures, low surface wind speeds and moderate relative humidity values.
A cool front will move across the South during the weekend bringing scattered showers. The heaviest rainfall is expected in the areas of Tennessee and North Carolina where 1-3 inches is possible.
West: The current wet weather will continue for the next few days in the Pacific Northwest where Spokane, Washington has set a record with 30 straight days of rain. Seattle has also set a record with 25 days. However, the forecast for the period Sunday through Thursday indicates dry weather for most of the West, including the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon's Governor has declared disasters in 24 of 36 Oregon counties where flooding and other weather damage has been mounting after receiving heavy rainfall during the past 4 weeks. Three coastal cities in Oregon have had record amounts of rainfall during the period December 18 through January 18: Astoria with 27 inches, North Bend with 24 inches, and Brookings with 35 inches.
During the weekend and upcoming week, fog will be a continuing problem in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys in California.
Heavy winds are forecast for Montana on Sunday and Monday. Similarly, Santa Ana winds will hit southern California (especially the Los Angeles area) during the same period.
Midwest: A low pressure system will hit the northern Plains and Upper Midwest with some light snow on Sunday.
A system out of Canada will bring heavy winds to the area from the Dakotas to Michigan on Monday.
Temperatures in the Midwest are expected to remain above average (10-25 degrees) through next Thursday.
Northeast: Low pressure and a cold front will rapidly move through the Northeast Saturday. Areas near the Canadian border may receive 3-8 inches of snow. Some scattered rainfall is expected in the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New England during the weekend. Warm temperatures in the Northeast will get back to more seasonal temperatures on Sunday.
By Monday the Northeast is expected to be dry as the storm systems move out to sea. (NOAA/NWS and Various Media Sources)
Tropical Activity
There are no active tropical disturbances in the Atlantic and Pacific. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity
No significant earthquake activity during the past 24 hours in the United States or its territories. (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity
South Carolina: The President has declared a major disaster for the State of South Carolina on January 20, 2006 (FEMA-1625-DR-SC) for damages caused by a severe ice storm during December 15-16, 2005. Seven (7) counties are eligible for Public Assistance and all counties in the state are eligible to apply for Hazard Mitigation assistance. Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.
Kansas: The Joint Field Office (JFO) for 1615 KS will close on January 31, 2006.
North Dakota: The Joint Field Office (JFO) for 1616 ND will close on January 31, 2006.
(FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Mar-2006 14:57:11 EST