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National Situation Update: Sunday, February 5, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Outlook

Midwest: By late Saturday night, snow should be falling in the eastern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. A low pressure system will add a strong wind component to this messy storm. Sustained winds from 20-30 mph should be common by Sunday morning in the central and eastern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Gusts from 40-50 mph are likely, especially over the Appalachian crest, and also near Lakes Huron and Erie. This will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, with blizzard conditions possible, at times. The weight of this heavy, wet snow could lead to some downed trees and power lines, as well.

In addition, due to January's warm weather, much of the Great Lakes remain ice-free. This opens the door for heavy lake-enhanced snowfall Sunday from northwest Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula snowbelts, to the Lake Huron and Erie snowbelts. It is not out of the question for 1-2 feet of total snowfall along Lower Michigan's Huron shore by late Sunday.

Last-minute football fans headed to Detroit Sunday should run into difficult travel. Expect snow-covered roads, with some blowing and drifting snow, reduced visibility, and strong winds. The strong winds should finally wind down by Monday in the region, as the storm pulls into northern Quebec and weakens.

Northeast: A cold front will sweep any rain out of the I-95 corridor tonight or early Sunday morning. In it's wake, a blustery, partly sunny day is expected Sunday, with highs generally in the 40s.

In the eastern Great Lakes and Appalachians, rain will change quickly to snow overnight Saturday, and, combined with increasing wind, could produce blizzard conditions, at times, especially near the Lake Erie shore, and also over the Appalachian crest, with gusts to 50 mph, at times, possible.  Lake-enhanced snow should persist through much of Sunday, possibly into early Monday. Much calmer weather is anticipated starting the new work week.

South:  Snow is expected over the Southern Appalachians through Sunday. Heavy snow warnings are predicted for parts of the Smoky Mountains, where up to 6 inches of snow could pile up by late Sunday. This snow will be accompanied by winds gusting around 50 mph, at times, leading to reduced visibilities in blizzard conditions.

Pleasant weather in the southern Plains Sunday. Highs in the Lone Star State should top out in the 60s, 70s, or even 80s. While sunshine should return to the Sunshine State, chillier air will keep highs in the 50s in far north Florida, and 60s over the rest of the state.

West:  Heavy mountain snow will continue Saturday night and into at least the first half of Sunday in the Cascades and northern Rockies. These will be accompanied by strong winds, gusting at times up to 60 mph. While Sunday may offer some lingering snow, winds should calm down as the day wears on in the Cascades and northern Rockies. The Pacific Northwest will get a much-needed dry period, lasting perhaps for the next 10 days.

Sunny, dry weather should persist again Sunday in the Southwest. Pleasant 70s should be common from southern California to southern New Mexico, while the Phoenix valley flirts with the 80-degree mark. Santa Ana winds are expected to pick-up but these winds will be confined mainly to the L.A. Basin's passes and canyons in the Sunday morning hours. (NWS and Various Media Sources)

Florida Storm Flooding is Stabilizing

In Florida, a severe weather system produced heavy rains in central to south portion of the State on Friday. As of mid-day Saturday, the situation appeared to be stabilizing, with no immediate life-threatening conditions that were not being addressed with on-hand resources and the flood waters were receding. 

Approximately 150 - 200 homes, mostly uninsured mobile homes, were inundated with water at least over the floor.  The hardest hit municipalities were Lealman, Pinellas Park, Largo, and St. Petersburg.  The Red Cross opened a shelter at Northside Baptist Church for evacuees from Lealman, Pinellas Park, and Largo; approximately 12 individuals were housed overnight.

The National Guard provided nine high-wheeled vehicles which were actively used and have been returned.  The need for additional vehicles is not anticipated, unless the situation changes. Pinellas County has not declared a local state of emergency at this time, but is evaluating the situation and conducting local assessments.

No additional requests for State response assets are anticipated unless significant new flooding occurs.  The State has indicated that they may be requesting joint preliminary damage assessments, to include Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Small Business Administration.  The State has developed PDA rosters and individuals are on standby.  This will be dependent upon the local assessments. (FEMA Region IV)

Power Affected as High Winds Hit Washington State

At least 100,000 homes and businesses in western Washington were without power on Saturday, due to high winds, which also forced the closure of the floating bridge connecting Seattle to its eastern suburbs. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

According to the National Weather Service, the wind blew at 45 mph in Seattle, with gusts higher than 50 mph there, and more than 60 mph on the Olympic Peninsula, west of the city. The wind was expected to die down by midnight Saturday.  (Various Media Sources)

Tropical Activity

There are no active tropical disturbances in the Atlantic or Pacific areas affecting United States interests. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Magnitude 4.6, 10:25 EST, western Montana, 35 miles ENE of Lima, Montana. No reports of damage or injuries.  

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake in northern Alaska occurred at: 66.55N 143.04W on Sunday, February, 5, 2006 at 8:17 am Zulu. (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)