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National Situation Update: Saturday, February 17, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Midwest:
There is a fast-moving frontal system moving southeast out of western Canada.

Light snow will pivot through the Missouri Valley into the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys Saturday bringing with it a cold, blustery day.

Snowfall totals from 1 to 3 inches can be expected from the eastern Dakotas and Iowa into the Ohio Valley.

Wind advisories and some high wind warnings, will continue in the Plains states, from the Dakotas to Kansas with wind gusts over 60 mph at times.

Saturday winds will gust at times from 20 to 35 mph through the western Great Lakes, mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.

These winds, from fresh snow cover from this past week's snowstorm, could produce areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Northeast:
Cold air will remain in the region through the weekend.

A storm system will move into the Appalachians Saturday afternoon, bringing light snow from Upstate New York to West Virginia.

Most accumulations of snow will be about 2 inches in some areas, except for the central Appalachians, where up to 6 inches may pile up.

South:
Cold air is forecasted from the Southern Plains to the Florida Peninsula.

Freeze warnings have been lifted Saturday morning for much of the Florida Peninsula, as far south as the Everglades.

A fast-moving frontal system will see light snow in parts of the Tennessee Valley and Southern Appalachians today. Some in the Smokies could pick up to 6" of new snow Saturday night.

West:

Snowfall amounts will be light with winds gusting at times over 60 mph producing blizzard conditions, over parts of southeast Wyoming and northern Colorado.
 
Interstate 80 was shut down between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyo. due to whiteout conditions. Winds gusted to 75 mph in Laramie.

Semis were flipped over on I-25 north of Cheyenne, also winds gusting as high as 101 mph forced the closure of state highway 93 from Golden to Boulder, Colo. due to a ground blizzard.

A weak frontal system will move into the Pacific Northwest Saturday afternoon, bringing valley rain and mountain snow.  (National Weather Service, various media reports)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake was reported February 16, 2007 at 7:02 pm EST, 90 miles SW of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. Depth was about 21 miles. No reports of tsunami or damage. (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)

Wildfire Update

No significant activity. National preparedness level is 1 (lowest on a 1-5 scale). (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Louisiana - February 16, 2007. LA Governor is requesting a major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, and Hazard Mitigation for three parishes.

New York - February 16, 2007. NY Governor is requesting an emergency declaration for snow assistance for multiple counties. (FEMA HQ)