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National Situation Update: Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Hot and Dry Weather for the U.S. Continues

Except for scattered showers and thunderstorms in various parts of the U.S., most of the lower 48 states will see hot and dry weather on Wednesday. The cold front moving through New England will bring some scattered showers and thunderstorms to the inland areas. Temperatures in the Northeast will range from the 70s in New England to the 80s in the Mid-Atlantic areas.

Most parts of the South will continue to see hot and dry weather with high temperatures in the 80s-90s. There will be some scattered showers primarily in eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle areas may see some severe storm weather. 

A frontal system extending from Michigan to Missouri will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Midwest with heavy rainfall in the Great Lakes area. Highs in the Midwest will range from the 70s-80s.

Most parts of the West will be dry on Wednesday with highs continuing to range from the 50s in the northern Rockies to 100+ in the Desert Southwest. The coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California may see some showers. (NWS, Media Sources)

Drought Conditions

Severe drought conditions are expected to persist across the Southwest and the Central and Southern High Plains areas during the upcoming week.

Severe drought will persist across southern Texas and the central Gulf Coast during the upcoming week, with some relief possible.

Severe drought conditions have created a high risk for wildfires over much of the southwestern states. 

Fire danger is expected to decrease over northern Florida and southeastern Georgia. (NOAA National Weather Service)

Tropical Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Initial wildfire activity at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday was light nationally with 61 new fires reported. Four new large fires were reported, two in the Southern Area, and one each in the Southwest and Southern California Areas. One large fire was contained in the Rocky Mountain Area. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

Wildfire Forecast:  No critical areas have been identified for Wednesday. The western states will continue to see relatively moderate winds and dry weather. Scattered showers/thunderstorms will continue in a large area extending from the Texas Gulf Coast to New England and along the frontal boundary from the Great Lakes to the Central Plains.

In New Mexico, near critical fire weather is anticipated on Wednesday when modest winds (10-20 mph) accompanied by hot/dry conditions and low relative humidity are expected. The outlook in Florida is promising although temperatures will be in the 90s. Relative humidity will be high and wind speeds will remain low (10-15 mph). (National Interagency Fire Center, NWS, Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)