• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast 
Snow showers will move across the
northeastern U.S. today.  The heaviest snowfall is expected southeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and in the West Virginia mountains.  Some areas of Pennsylvania, southern New England and Virginia (east of the mountains) may
see a few flurries.

Midwest 
Cold northwest winds are expected over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley today, while southwesterly winds move through the northern and central Plains.  The winds over the Great Lakes will allow lake-effect snows to continue in extreme northern Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Indiana, Ohio and eastern Kentucky.

West
California will remain dry, while rain and mountain snow is expected in western Washington and western Oregon today. Rain and snow showers are also forecast for eastern Washington, northern Idaho and far northwest Montana.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect until this afternoon for coastal areas and inland mountains and passes of southwest California (Los Angeles to San Diego) due to low relative humidity and high winds.  Winds should diminish later this afternoon.

South 
Windy and cold weather is forecast today in Florida and the southern U.S. east of the Mississippi.
An arctic air-mass will bring sub-freezing temperatures across much of Florida by early this morning.  Even colder temperatures are expected tonight with minimum temperatures in the upper teens and lower twenties.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Hard Freeze Affecting the Deep South

A strong arctic air mass continues to move farther into the Deep South today. A prolonged hard freeze can be expected this evening through early Thursday.  Wednesday night will be the coldest, with the freezing line slipping all the way to South Florida. The northern third of the state will experience a hard freeze with lows in the twenties and teens.  While farmers are making preparations to protect citrus and other crops, Emergency Managers are contemplating the need for shelters. The cold shot will be erased by the weekend as radically warmer air spreads from west to east across the country.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Red Flag Warnings

California:   Until 4:00 p.m. PST today in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas; winds 30-40 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph.

Florida: Until 7:00 p.m. EST today in the central and southern Florida areas; winds 15-20 mph and 20-30% relative humidity.

North Carolina:  Until 6:00 p.m. EST today for much of North Carolina, from Hickory, Winston-Salem and Charlotte, east to the Atlantic coast; winds 15-20 with gusts near 30 mph.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)