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National Situation Update: Saturday, August 16, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Critically dry and unstable conditions are expected along the west side of the central Cascades today.  Temperatures will continue to increase and the relative humidity will continue to decrease across eastern Washington and eastern Oregon this weekend.  Regional high temperatures will range from the 50s to 70s in Colorado to between 100 and 120 in the Southwest and between 90 and 107 in Washington and Oregon.  Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the eastern portions of the Rockies and high Plains through the weekend.
Midwest:
The Midwest is expected to be dry with pleasant temperatures through the weekend.  Temperatures are expected to be above average in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest.  Flood Warnings continue for the Red River at Fargo in Minnesota and North Dakota. 
South:
A long stationary front will stretch from central Texas to northern Florida through the weekend, producing heavy rain and thunderstorms across the Deep South.  A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana and central Mississippi.  Regional high temperatures are forecast from the 80s to near 90 this weekend.
Northeast:
Thunderstorms are forecast for parts of eastern New York and New England today.  These thunderstorms are capable of producing strong wind gusts, heavy rain and hail.  The region will be dry except for a few isolated thunderstorms along the Canadian border on Sunday.  Monday will bring scattered thunderstorms for Upstate New York and New England. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical Storm Fay
At 5:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Fay was about 20 miles east-northeast of Port Au Prince, Haiti and about 235 miles east-southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba.  Fay is moving toward the west near 14 mph.  A turn toward the west-northwest is expected later today followed by a turn toward the northwest by Sunday night.  On this track, the center of Fay will move across Haiti this morning and will be moving near the southern coast of eastern and central Cuba tonight and Sunday.  Data from an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph with higher gusts.

Invest 93: Disorganized cloudiness and showers located roughly 600 miles east of the Lesser Antilles are associated with a Tropical Wave.  Upper-level winds are not favorable for development of this disturbance during the next couple of days as it moves toward the northwest at 10 to 15 mph.

Eastern Pacific:
Tropical Depression Iselle
At 5:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Depression Iselle was located about 310 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California.  The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 5 mph.  A gradual turn toward the west-northwest is expected during the next couple of days.  Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts.  Weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours and Iselle could degenerate into a remnant low later today.

Western Pacific:
Tropical Storm Vongfong: Located approximately 201 miles south-southeast of Tokyo, Japan, has tracked east-northeastward at 25 mph over the past 6 hours.  Maximum sustained winds are near 46 mph with higher wind gusts. (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)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Friday, August 15, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 4
Initial attack activity: Light (121 new fires)
New large fires: 5
Uncontained large fires: 20
Large fires contained: 3
States with Large fires: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NM, NC, OR, TX, WA and WY
Hot and dry weather conditions will continue in the western states. Gusty winds and low humidity are predicted for southwest Wyoming.  (NIFC, CAL Fire)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Vermont: The President signed a Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1784-DR-VT, for severe storms, tornado and flooding on July 18, 2008.  Three counties (Caledonia, Grand Isle, and Lamoille) are eligible for Public Assistance.  All counties in the State of Vermont are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:34:00 EDT