National Situation Update: Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Wildfire Threat in Southern California and Lower Colorado River Valley
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, reports an extremely critical fire area for southern California west of the Coastal Range and a critical fire weather area for Santa Barbara County on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The NWS also indicates a high pressure over the Great Basin will cause strong winds to blow through the Colorado River Valley creating another critical fire weather area from southern Nevada into western Arizona and southeastern California.
As the air mass travels easterly from California and Arizona into the southern plains area, portions of Texas and Oklahoma may see an increasing wildfire danger again.
The National Weather Service predicts continued warmer and drier weather in the Texas area for at least the remainder of January. Upper level patterns indicate that very few strong disturbances will move through the region, limiting the potential for precipitation and allowing for temperatures to continue to be warmer than normal.
The above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation conditions in the Southwest are expected to continue through February and March.
Warm Dry Weather for Most of the U.S. on Tuesday
Santa Ana winds are forecast again for Southern California on Tuesday. High winds with dry weather and very low humidity readings will continue to pose a wildfire threat in the area.
High winds blew down tree branches and about 100 power lines near Los Angeles which resulted in power outages.
Most other parts of the West, including the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest, will see dry weather through Thursday.
Southeastern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico may see some rain showers or thunderstorms on Tuesday.
Highs will range from the 20s in the Rockies to the 70s in Southwest Arizona and Southern California.
South: Some isolated rainfall is expected in the Atlantic Coastal areas of the Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Florida, otherwise the South will be dry and sunny on Tuesday.
Highs in the region will be mostly in the 50s-60s reaching 70s-80s in Florida.
Northeast: Storms on Monday caused scores of school closings and traffic accidents across parts of New England. Vermont State Police closed I-91 near White River Junction for a portion of Monday due to hazardous road conditions. Interstate 93 in Concord, NH was also closed due to a traffic accident. Similarly, I-81 south of Syracuse was closed because of accidents. Up to 10 inches of snow fell in the areas from eastern New York state to New Hampshire on Monday.
Most of the Northeast will see dry weather on Tuesday except for some light snowfall in portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The Northeast will see above average temperatures ranging from the upper 20s in Maine to the 50s in the Mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday.
Midwest: Cold and windy weather coming southward out of Canada is expected to bring some light snowfall to the northern Plains and the upper Ohio Valley on Tuesday. Blizzard conditions are expected in North Dakota and Minnesota during Monday evening. On Wednesday and Thursday, the storm system is expected to produce 1-2 feet of snow in the areas east of Lake Ontario.
High temperatures in the region will range from the 20s in the Dakotas and upper Midwest to the 50s in the central Plains. (NOAA/NWS and Various Media Sources)
Tropical Activity
There are no active tropical disturbances in the Atlantic and Pacific areas. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity
No major 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
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.
No new disaster declaration activity to report. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Mar-2006 14:57:14 EST