National Situation Update: Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Winter Weather in Western and Central U.S.
West:
Most of the west will continue to experience winter weather on Tuesday. Winter Storm Watches are in effect through Tuesday from Montana eastward through North Dakota and Minnesota. The Northwest will have light snow and rain. The heaviest snow is expected in the mountains of western Colorado as the arctic weather moves eastward from the Pacific coast.
High temperatures will range from below zero in Montana to the 60s in southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Most of the Northwest will continue to have highs in the 20s-30s.
Santa Ana winds with gusts above 60 mph accompanied by dry air will increase the fire danger in Southern California.
Midwest:
The cold air system pushing southward from Canada will bring windy and snowy weather across the Dakotas.
Highs will be in the teens along the Canadian border to the 70s in parts of Kansas.
Northeast:
The Northeast is expected to be mostly dry with highs ranging from the 30s-40s on the Canadian border to the 70s in the Mid-Atlantic area.
South:
Most of the South will see dry weather with highs in the 60s-70s. Highs in southern Texas and Florida could reach the 80s. Later in the week, a cold front is expected to push into the South on Wednesday and Thursday bringing highs in the 20s-30s to the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, and parts of Arkansas. The Dallas/ Fort Worth area may see thunderstorms and freezing rain and sleet. (National Weather Service, FEMA Region VI, various Media Reports)
Pacific Northwest Hit by Storms
Ice, rain, and snow hit the Northwest on Monday causing numerous traffic accidents, power outages, and school closings. In Seattle, Washington many 30-minute commutes turned into several hour commutes due to icy road conditions. All Seattle public schools will be closed on Tuesday. Other schools in the area will have late openings. The snow is expected to end by noontime Tuesday, but icy conditions and freezing temperatures will continue through tonight.
A Skagit County, Washington community reported two feet of snow by Monday night. Many travelers abandoned their vehicles beside the roads as icy conditions made them impassible.
Oregon communities are experiencing many of the same problems as the below-freezing temperatures combine with the rain and snow to create hazardous traveling conditions. The hazardous conditions are expected to continue through Tuesday as well. Eight inches of snow and hazardous road conditions caused the closure of Interstate 84 between Pendleton and La Grande. One crash involved 10 cars. Schools in several Oregon counties were closed or reported late openings.
The higher elevations in the Washington and Oregon Cascades have recorded 4-5 feet of snow during the past two weeks. (media sources)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected through Wednesday.
Central and Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected through Wednesday.
Western Pacific:
Tropical Storm 24W (Durian), with winds of 63 mph, was located approximately 850 nautical miles east of Manila, Philippines at 10:00 pm EST Monday November 27. The storm has passed beyond U.S. Territories and is now moving towards the Philippines at 17 mph. The storm does not pose any threat to U.S. interests. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
Wildland fire activity for the week ending November 24 was light with 119 fires reported. Eleven new large fires were reported. Seven large fires were contained (National Interagency Fire Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
FEMA-1664-DR-HI Amendment number 4: FEMA Director appoints Lee H. Rosenberg of FEMA to serve as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared disaster. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Nov-2006 08:25:43 EST