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National Situation Update: Monday, August 11, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Under a ridge of high pressure in the Pacific Northwest, the region should be generally dry and sunny. High temperatures will range from the 60s along the Pacific coast north of Point Conception and in the higher mountain ranges, to over 100 in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.
Midwest:
A cold front dropping into the upper Midwest will produce widespread showery precipitation and thunderstorms. High temperatures will range from the mid-70s along the Canadian border to the upper 80s in western Nebraska.
South:
A frontal system front extending from Texas across the Gulf Coast states and exiting off the coast of the Carolinas will produce widespread precipitation.  The heaviest precipitation is forecast along a line from southeast Oklahoma to southern Mississippi.  Some areas will see up to four inches of precipitation and localized flooding. Over the next few days the heavy precipitation will move eastward into Georgia and the Carolinas.  High temperatures are expected to range from the upper 70s in parts of the Ozarks and southern Appalachians to near 100 in south-central Texas.
Northeast:
The low and associated frontal system that moved through the region yesterday has moved out to sea.  However, the circulation on the backside of the low will result in rain showers and thunderstorms over Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and New England. Totals of an inch or more are expected in coastal areas of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  High temperatures will range from 70 near the Canadian border to the low to mid-80s from southern New Jersey southward through Virginia. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
A broad area of low pressure associated with a tropical wave is located over the central Atlantic ocean about 900 miles east of the Windward Islands. Environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development and this system has the potential to become a tropical depression during the next couple of days as it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph.

A large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms is located over the eastern Atlantic a couple hundred miles southwest of the Cape Verde islands.  Slow development of this system is possible during the next couple of days as it moves westward at about 15 mph.

Eastern Pacific:
Hurricane Hernan
At 5:00 am EDT the center of Hurricane Hernan was located about 1,280 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California. Hernan is moving toward the west near 9 mph. a turn toward the west-southwest is expected later today. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 80 mph with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours and Hernan could become a tropical storm later today. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

Shower activity associated with a broad area of low pressure located a couple hundred miles south-southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec remains disorganized.  Development, if any of this system is likely to be slow as it moves westward around 10 mph.

Another broad area of low pressure is located about 575 miles west-southwest of Manzanillo Mexico.  It has the potential for tropical cyclone formation during the next day or two as it moves generally westward near 10 mph.

Central Pacific:
Tropical Depression Kika
At 5:00 am EDT the center of Tropical Depression Kika was located about 955 miles southwest of Honolulu Hawaii and about 515 miles south-southeast of Johnston Island. The depression is moving toward the west near 15 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

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

Earthquake Activity

At 8:09 p.m. EDT, August 10, 2008, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the Unimak Island Region, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, approximately 722 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, at a depth of 18.9 miles.  There were no reports of damages or injuries, and no tsunami was generated.   (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Sunday, August 10, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 4
Initial attack activity: Moderate (298 new fires)
New large fires: 7 (CA, ID, MT, NC)
Uncontained large fires: 34
Large fires contained: 5 (CA, OK, MT and NM)
States with Large fires: AR, CA, ID, MT, NV, NC, OR, TX, WA and WY
California remains the most active with 10 large fires and complexes.  435,071 acres have burned throughout the northern part of the state.

Wildfire - Craig Fire, Butte County, CA: 2,001 acres burned; 90% containment.  The fire continues to move north and northeast. Fire crews will continue to improve the containment lines around the fire.  Residences and cultural sites are still threatened.  Evacuations and road closures are in place. (CAL Fire)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:34:08 EDT