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National Situation Update: Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West
A Pacific storm system is producing rain and snow across the Northwest.  The Cascades and Olympics will receive several inches of snow today.  Snow will continue across the Front Range and western high plains of Colorado.  The metro Denver area received three to six inches of snow, with up to a foot in some outlying areas.  Snow is expected across the higher elevations of the Northern Rockies and the mountain ranges of northern Nevada today.  Temperatures across the West will be generally below average.  A High Wind watch is in effect for southwest California for Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

Midwest
A storm system will spread scattered precipitation over parts of the Midwest today.  Light scattered snow will impact northern Michigan to west central Oklahoma and western Missouri.  Little accumulation is expected in these areas.  Rain showers are expected from southern Missouri to extreme southwest Indiana.  Midwest temperatures will be mild ranging from the teens to the 30s.  Much of the Ohio Valley should reach 50 degrees or better.

South
Today light snow and sleet will impact the mountains of northeast Georgia and western North Carolina.
Areas from the coastal Carolinas to southeast Virginia will see significant rain while lighter showers will affect all states up to New Jersey.  Thunderstorms will develop over parts of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Light snow is forecast from the Panhandle of Texas and into central Oklahoma.  Highs on Wednesday will range from the 30s and 40s across northern Texas to the 70s and low 80s across southern Florida.
Much of the Southeast will see highs in the 50s.

Northeast
A storm passing off the East Coast will spread scattered light showers up to Long Island and the New York City area.  Highs will reach the mid 40s for much of the Northeast, 30s from Upstate New York through New England, which is a bit above average.  The next storm system, with mostly rain, will move into the region by Friday. (NWS, Media Sources)

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning for south central Texas is in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST today.  A dry cold front will move through south central Texas with winds of 15 to 25 mph.  The winds will subside to below 10 mph during the evening.  Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Thursday for west Texas for winds in excess of 20 mph, relative humidity of 15 percent or less and high fire danger. (NWS)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico/Eastern Pacific/Central Pacific:
Tropical Cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings.( NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)