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National Situation Update: Monday, January 30, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Storm Systems Affecting Several Parts of the U.S.

West:  A strong storm system will bring rain, snow and windy weather to the coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, and northern California on Monday. Seattle (Washington) has received nearly 10 inches of rain in January therefore additional rainfall this week may create localized flooding and mud slides. More rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday when another storm system is expected to again hit the Pacific Northwest coast. The higher elevations can expect considerable amounts of snowfall. The Southwest including Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico will continue to see dry weather during the early part of the week.

South:  Some rain storms are expected on Monday in the Southeast with the heaviest rainfall expected in southern Georgia and northern Florida. Most other parts of the South will experience warm temperatures and sunny skies. Temperatures will continue to be mild on Monday with highs ranging from the 50s-70s and possibly the 80s in parts of Texas and Florida.

Midwest:  Mild air moving eastward from the Pacific Northwest will continue to bring higher than normal temperatures to the northern Plains and Midwest on Monday. Some light rainfall and snow is expected on Monday in the area from Michigan to southern Ohio and Kentucky. Temperatures in the region will average 10-15 degrees above normal for the early part of the week.

Northeast:  The storm system moving eastward from the Midwest will bring rainy weather to New York, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic region on Monday. Some snow could fall in northern New York and northern New England. The Chesapeake Bay area may see some wet snowfall on Monday night and Tuesday. (NWS, Media Sources)

Current Wildfire Activity

The National Interagency Fire Center indicated that wildfire activity was light nationally on Saturday with 155 new fires reported. One new large fire was reported in the Rocky Mountain Area. Four large fires were contained, two in the Eastern Area and one each in the Rocky Mountain and Southern Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Kansas.

On Monday, critical fire weather will persist in the western Texas/southern New Mexico areas as sustained winds of 20-25 mph will continue along with warm temperatures and relative humidity around 15 percent.

Late Monday and early Tuesday, a cold front will move through Texas and Oklahoma bringing cooler temperatures and lower relative humidity, therefore the wildfire threat will be somewhat lessened.

Another storm system moving from the Rockies into the Mississippi Valley will bring strong breezes and low relative humidity to the southern Plains area, adding to the threat of wildfires.  (NIFC, NICC)

Alaskan Volcano Continues Eruption on Sunday

Alaska's Augustine Volcano erupted again on Sunday propelling plumes of ash up to 50,000 feet into the skies above Cook Inlet, Alaska. The ash clouds traveled in a south and southwest direction from the volcano. The National Weather Service issued an advisory to communities near the Alaska Peninsula, the Shelikof Strait, Kodiak Island, and the northwest Gulf of Alaska.  (Media Sources)

Tropical Activity

There are no active tropical disturbances in the Atlantic or Pacific areas affecting United States interests. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Several minor earthquakes were reported in parts of Alaska during the previous 24 hours, including a magnitude 4.5 quake near the Rat Islands (Aleutian Islands).  No reports of damages or injuries were reported. (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Joint Field Offices for FEMA-DR-1609-FL, FEMA-DR-1616-ND, and FEMA-DR-1615-KS will close January 31, 2006.

The JFO for FEMA-DR-1622-MN will close February 10, 2006. (FEMA HQ)