National Situation Update: Monday, October 2, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Summary
West:
A trough of low pressure aloft approaching the West Coast will funnel moisture into California and the Intermountain West. The result will be scattered showers and thunderstorms from mainly the Sierras, eastward to the central Rockies. The wettest weather is expected over northern Utah, southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming.
Midwest:
A new front pushing into the Great Lakes will ignite scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in and around the lower lakes. Isolated severe storms could be in the mix, especially across Wisconsin.
South:
With the exception of an isolated shower or thundershower in far south Texas and extreme southern Florida tomorrow, the South will boast early autumn weather.
Northeast:
Except for lingering scattered showers in northern New England - mainly Maine - the Northeast should be dry. (NWS, Media Sources)
Wildfire Threatens Homes In Washington
A wildfire in central Washington threatened several homes Sunday after destroying two outbuildings, fire officials said. The wind-driven blaze was burning over 8,000 acres, or more than 12 square miles. It was 25 percent contained Sunday evening said a spokesman for the Washington State Patrol's fire protection bureau.
No evacuations had been ordered. The fire was about a half-mile from the threatened homes. It started around 4 p.m. Saturday and is believed to have been sparked by a downed power line, said a fire protection bureau spokeswoman. The blaze was burning near Bridgeport, a town of about 2,000, in steep terrain in a narrow strip along the Columbia River. About 100 firefighters were battling the blaze. (Media Sources)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
At 5:00 am EDT the center of Hurricane Isaac was located near latitude 40.5 north longitude 58.2 west or about 500 miles south-southwest of Cape Race Newfoundland.
Isaac is moving toward the north-northeast near 30 mph and this motion is expected to increase in speed in the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Isaac is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 290 miles.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb (29.21 inches).
Hurricane Isaac is not a threat to land, or to any United States interests.
Elsewhere, tropical development is not expected through tomorrow.
Central and Eastern Pacific:
No new activity to report.
Western Pacific:
No activity to report. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center).
Earthquake Activity
There were two minor earthquakes (3.2 at 2:04 am EDT, and 3.1 at 8:46 am EDT) within a mile of the caldera of Mt St Helens volcano. No damage or injuries were reported. (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level 3
National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (51 new fires)
New large fires: 2
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 9
Area Command Teams: 1
Type 1 IMTs committed: 4
Type 2 IMTs committed: 3
Fire Use Teams: 0
2005 (1/1/05 - 9/29/05): Fires: 53,175; Acres: 8,160,688
2006 (1/1/06 - 9/29/06): Fires: 83,752; Acres: 9,074,358
Predictive Services Discussion: Cooler weather along with higher humidity and an increasing chance of showers are on tap for California for the next several days. A series of low pressure troughs will bring a change to cooler weather and scattered showers for much of the West. Dry weather is expected to persist in the Southeast. (National Interagency Fire Center,National Interagency Coordination Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 02-Oct-2006 10:05:45 EDT