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National Situation Update: Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Some Rain and Snow in the West - Dry and Sunny in Rest of the U.S.

West:  Although one storm system is moving eastward from the Pacific Coast area, another storm will move into the coastal areas late on Wednesday bringing rainy and windy weather. The heaviest rains and winds are expected in southwestern Oregon and northern California. The mountainous areas in the Pacific Northwest will receive additional snow accompanied by high winds late Wednesday. Some light rain is expected in western New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. Highs will hit the 80s in parts of New Mexico.
 
Midwest:  The Midwest will be a study in contrasts on Wednesday. The northern tier of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where high temperatures will be in the 20s, is expected to receive several inches of snow. However, the Central Plains and lower Midwest areas will see unusually warm temperatures with highs up to the 70s. Strong winds caused by a storm system moving eastward will blow across the Midwest on Wednesday with average speeds of 15-25 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. 

Northeast:  The areas near the Canadian border in New York and New England are again expected to be dry and chilly on Wednesday. There may be some occasional flurries and sprinkles of rainfall in local areas. Highs will range from the teens in northern New York and New England to the 60s in southern Virginia.  

South:  The South will again see dry, warm, and sunny weather on Wednesday. High temperatures will be above average with readings from the 60s in Tennessee and North Carolina to the 80s in much of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the Florida Peninsula. There may be readings in the 90s in the southern Rio Grande valley in Texas. The threat of wildfires will be high in the drought-stricken areas of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. (NWS, Media Sources)

March Weather Outlook

Temperatures in March are expected to be normal or above normal for most parts of the continental U.S. The only area where temperatures will be below normal is New England. The West Coast and Mid-Atlantic areas are forecast to see normal temperatures.

The Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest to the Canadian border will see above normal temperatures. Unfortunately the extreme drought areas of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona can expect temperatures well above normal in March.

The temperature ranges for March tend to follow the jet stream with higher temperatures expected south of the jet stream and lower temperatures north of the jet stream. (NOAA, media sources)

Volcano Activity

All indicators provide evidence that activity is slowing down at Augustine Volcano in Alaska. The Color Code for Augustine is still ORANGE. Seismicity remains at low levels but is still above background. Small avalanches and rock falls continue to be recorded.   (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Volcano Observatory)

Tropical Activity

There are no active tropical disturbances in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. (National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No significant earthquake activity during the previous 24 hours that affected the U.S. or U.S. interests.  (USGS Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)