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National Situation Update: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Unseasonably warm temperatures are forecast for the region; precipitation will be confined to light rain over northeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Minnesota.

Southerly winds will be on the increase over the Plains and Upper Midwest.

West
Several inches of snow are forecast for higher elevations from the Pacific Northwest to the northern and central Rockies; Winter Storm Warnings for heavy snow are in effect through Wednesday for higher elevations of Northern and Central Utah and western Colorado.

Snow levels may dip below the passes by afternoon in Washington, northern Oregon, and areas southeast of the Great Salt Lake. Rain showers are forecast for the lower elevations of Washington and Oregon.

Strong, gusty winds are expected over northern Arizona and northern New Mexico.

Northeast
A storm off the Southeast Coast will generate rain and breezes from coastal Maryland southward. Rain is forecast for the Baltimore-Washington area beginning early Tuesday.

South
A storm developing off the coastal Carolinas will affect coastal areas of North Carolina and Virginia with gusty winds and high surf.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
A broad low pressure area over the southwestern Caribbean Sea is drifting northwestward.  The associated shower activity has become slightly better organized since last evening, and additional slow
development of this system is possible over the next couple of days.
Eastern Pacific:
Tropical Storm Polo: At 4:00 am EST, the center was located about 1025 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Some slow strengthening is possible during the next day or so. The system is moving toward the west at 14 mph, far from land.  Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts.  Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 25 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

In the 36 hours following the 5.3 magnitude earthquake offshore of San Juan, PR last Sunday, more than 30 aftershocks, with magnitudes 3.1 to 3.6 have occurred. There have been no reports of damage or injuries from these aftershocks. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program,  Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)