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National Situation Update: Monday, November 10, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
The storm moving out of the southern Rocky Mountains will produce showers and snow showers in the higher elevations from Idaho to northern New Mexico until this afternoon. Continuing showers and mountain snow showers are forecast for the Pacific Northwest due to the onshore flow. Additional winter storm systems will move in off the Pacific this week.

Midwest:
A few rain or snow showers are possible in Wisconsin and Michigan  until this afternoon when building high pressure will eliminate the lake-effect showers.   The low pressure system moving out of the southern Rocky Mountains will produce precipitation and a few thunderstorms on the central Plains, into the middle Mississippi Valley and eastern Plains.  

South:
The low pressure system moving out of the southern Rocky Mountains into the southern Plains will produce precipitation in a broad swath from South Dakota to Southern Illinois and eastern Texas. Severe thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon and evening in eastern Texas. Hail, gusty winds and tornadoes are possible.  These thunderstorms may move into the lower Mississippi Valley tonight.

Northeast:
Cold air blowing over the relatively warm Great Lakes will produce lake-effect rain and snow showers.  Areas downwind from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario could pick up around 6 inches of snow.   A few rain or snow showers are possible in northern New England. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Tropical Weather

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical Depression Paloma
Tropical Depression Paloma is dissipating over east-central Cuba.  On the forecast track the remnants of Paloma should emerge off the north coast of Cuba this morning and continue to drift slowly. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph with higher gusts. Continued weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours.  No further advisories will be issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system.

A nearly stationary area of low pressure located about 650 miles east of the Leeward Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Upper-level winds are not favorable for significant development as this system drifts west-northwestward.

Eastern Pacific:
No tropical cyclone formation is expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC,  National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake occurred November 9, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. EST; 140 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, at a reported depth of 76.1 miles. There have been no reports of damage or injury, and a tsunami was not generated.

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurred November 9, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.; 1120 miles west of Beijing, China, at a reported depth of 6.2 miles. There have been no reports of damage or injury, and a tsunami was not generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Caribbean Tsunami Warning Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)