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National Situation Update: Monday, February 20, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Outlook

With large high pressure systems over the West and Midwest, the weather for President's day will be relatively quiet across the continental United States.

West: Precipitation in the West will be limited to a few snow showers in the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Basin and isolated rain showers in western Washington and northwest Oregon.

Midwest: North Dakota and the northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan will have snow showers and flurries without significant accumulation. Temperatures will be returning to seasonal norms with highs ranging from the teens in parts of North Dakota and northwest Minnesota to the 40s in southern Nebraska, Kansas and parts of Missouri.

South: Drizzle and isolated light showers are forecast from the coastal plain of Texas through to the eastern Carolinas.

Northeast: Snow showers will be limited to parts of upstate New York and far northern New England. Lake effect snow will only produce significant accumulations near Watertown and Buffalo, N. Y. (NOAA/NWS and Various Commercial and Media Sources)

Volcano Activity

Alaska's Augustine volcano remains at the Current Level of Concern Color Code: ORANGE (volcano is in eruption or eruption may occur at any time). Rock falls and avalanches from the lava dome continue to be recorded by Alaska Volcano Observatory seismic stations. (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Volcano Observatory)

Tropical Activity

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

Earthquake Activity

A moderate earthquake occurred at 8:39 pm (EST) on Sunday, February 19. The magnitude 5.0 event was located in northern Alaska (69.9N, 145.8W) 353 miles north of Fairbanks, AK. There have been no reports of damage or injuries and no requests for Federal assistance. (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Region X).

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)