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National Situation Update: Monday, November 3, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A low pressure system will bring thunderstorms and high mountain snow to much of the West.  Snow levels in the northern portion of California will start at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,000 feet.  High temperatures are forecast from a high in the upper 40s in the northern portion of the region and to the mid 60s for the southern portion. 

Midwest:
High pressure will build over the region, resulting in mainly sunny skies and seasonable temperatures.

South:
A low pressure system moving across the south will produce thunderstorms from the Carolina's to the southern most tip of Florida.  High temperatures in the region will be mostly in the 70s.

Northeast:
A frontal system moving into the  western portion of New York and Pennsylvania will produce isolated thunderstorms for most of the area.  The Coastal Plain should maintain mostly sunny skies, with increasing overcast later in the day.  Highs ranging from the lower 40s over northern Maine to the mid 60s in Philadelphia. 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Thunderstorms continue over the southwestern Caribbean Sea in association with a broad and nearly stationary low pressure area.  Upper-level winds are favorable for some development of this system over the next couple of days.

Eastern Pacific:
Tropical Storm Polo: At 3:00 am EST, the center was located about 980 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.  The system is moving toward the west at 16 mph.  Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts.  Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center.    

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Sunday November 2, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. EST an earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitude at a depth of 19.9 miles struck 52 miles south of Atka, Alaska. There are no reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami generated.

On Sunday November 2, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. EST an earthquake measuring 5.5 magnitude at a depth of 6.2 miles struck 62 miles northwest of San Juan, PR. There are no reports of damage or injuries and no tsunami was generated.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program,  Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Friday, October 31, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: Light (74 new fires)
New large fires: 2 (OK, UT)
Uncontained large fires: 2 (AZ, CA)
Large fires contained: 1(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)