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National Situation Update: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West
The Northwest turns quiet as the Southwest turns stormier. As the vigorous cold Pacific system moves into the Southwest via Southern California, weather across parts of the L.A. Basin will remain showery. For the mountains down to between 2500 and 3000 feet, this means a few additional inches of snow.
The snow already beginning to accumulate in parts of Nevada, Utah, southern Wyoming and Colorado will be extended over the next few days as the storm heading through Southern California moves over the Southwest.

Midwest 
A weak cold front will bring cooler temperatures and spotty precipitation to the Midwest over the weekend.  High temperatures will be a warm 10 to 25 degrees above average ahead of the front which means 50s and 60s. Behind the front, high temperatures will be a little below average in the high Plains ranging from the 20s along the Canadian border to the 30s and 40s elsewhere.

Northeast  
A cold front will align itself through the Ohio and mid-Mississippi Valleys.  Twenties and a few teens for highs will return to areas near the Canadian border but 30s and 40s will dominate overall in the wake of the cold front, for many still above average for mid-December.   Ahead of the front the spring-like highs in the 50s, 60s and 70s will slowly move southward.  A few showers and snow showers will follow the front southward.

South    
The steady rains over southern Florida will turn to scattered showers Sunday.  Locally dense morning fog will plague parts of eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and northern Florida.
The vast part of the South will enjoy a very warm partly to mostly sunny day with highs in the 70s (80s south Texas and western Florida), some 5 to 20 degrees above average. Austin, TX. (80), Oklahoma City (76), and Amarillo, TX. (75) were among those setting daily record highs yesterday.  The main cold front will gradually settle into the southern Plains but temperatures for many will still be above average even behind the front.. (National Weather Service, media sources)

Pacific Northwest Storm Summary

About 500,000 customers remain without power in Washington State.
Region wide, about 3 million customers were without power at the peak of the storm.
The Governor of WA has proclaimed a state of emergency for all 39 counties in the state.
State EOC and NG activated to assist localities.
31 shelters activated, total reported population is 66 people in 9 shelters.
River flood warnings cancelled and/or rivers projected to fall below flood stage by this morning.
No hazardous weather forecast for next 24 hours.
FEMA Region X continues to monitor the situation, no request for Federal assistance at this time.  (NOAA, Region X, WA State EOC )

NORTHCOM Update

STS-116 Shuttle Discovery Update:  The shuttle mission continues as scheduled.  NORAD-USNORTHCOM continues to monitor.

Severe Weather Affecting Seattle Airport Operations:   The Seattle Airport (SEA-TAC) has been having operational issues due to the recent severe weather.  NORAD-USNORTHCOM Command Center continues to monitor.  (NORTHCOM)

Tropical Weather Outlook

As of December 16, 4:00 am EST Tropical Depression 26W, was located approximately 345 miles west-southwest of Guam, and moving west-northwest at 23 mph. . Winds in the area are estimated to be 35 to 46 mph. No U.S. territory will be affected.  (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

At 5:35 pm EST, December 16, a 4.7 (light) magnitude earthquake was reported 68 miles southwest from Adak, Alaska. No damage or injuries were reported.   (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:20:40 EDT