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National Situation Update: Thursday, October 30, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Some light snow is forecast from the aftermath of the two-day storm over New York State and New England. Strong winds will continue throughout the region especially in New England; however the winds will decrease throughout the day.

Temperatures ranges are forecast from a high in the upper 30s for the extreme northern portions of New York State and New England to the 50s in Virginia and lower elevations of West Virginia.

Midwest
Sunshine is forecast in the Midwest and Great Plains today and temperatures will increase. Highs are forecast to range from the low 50s in northeast Ohio to the 70s for most of the Great Plains.

South
Some record lows are expected in Florida, and the Deep South is forecast to be cold; however, temperatures will warm up especially west of the Mississippi River. 

High temperatures are expected to range from the 50s in much of North Carolina to the low 80s in parts of Texas.

Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories will continue early Thursday morning and again Thursday night from southern Virginia down to south Georgia and continues west to central Mississippi.

West
Dry weather is anticipated for most of the region, except for some rain possible for the Far West. Thunderstorms are forecast late Thursday and into Saturday.

High temperatures will be well above end-of-October norms in most spots with readings ranging from the 40s in the higher reaches of the Washington Cascades and Montana's Glacier National Park to the mid-90s in southwest Arizona and far southeast California. (NOAA; National Weather Service; Various Media Sources)

Northeast Winter Storm Update

New York:  Bovina, New York remains under a state of emergency.  As of Wednesday evening, Department of Energy (DOE) reported 19,500 customers remain without electricity due to downed power lines and trees.  Numerous roads remained closed in Bovina.  National Shelter System (NSS) reported one shelter in nearby Gilboa opened Wednesday, with a midnight population of four.

New Jersey: DOE reported 55,000 customers remain without electricity due to power lines and trees.  Many roads for the affected four counties are impassable. NSS reported one shelter open in Hopatcong, NJ with a population of three.

Pennsylvania: DOE reported 13,000 without power. NSS reported one shelter opened Wednesday with a population of one.

There has been no request for Federal assistance. (FEMA Region II, DOE as of PM 10/29, NSS )

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Area 1 (92L):  A broad area of low pressure located about midway between the Cape Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles is moving slowly northwestward.  The associated shower activity remains disorganized, and upper-level winds are forecast to remain unfavorable for significant development during the next couple of days.
Eastern Pacific:
Area 1: Disorganized shower activity persists in association with a weak area of low pressure located about 900 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Upper-level winds are forecast to be unfavorable for significant development of this system as it moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the next couple of days.
Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, 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 Wednesday, October 29, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: Light (70 new fires)
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 1 (CA)
Large fires contained: 1
Fire weather:  Southern California will experience a dry air mass with low relative humidity and cool temperatures. The Southern states will see a decrease in winds, cool temperatures and low relative humidity.
Red Flag Warning will be in effect Thursday afternoon for the eastern Panhandle, Big Bend area, and northeast Florida due to expected long durations of relative low humidity. (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On October 29, 2008, a major disaster declaration was signed for the U.S. Virgin Islands, FEMA-1807-DR, for Hurricane Omar from October 14-16, 2008.  The Declaration provides Public Assistance for the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas, including Water Island; direct Federal assistance is authorized. All islands in the Territory of the U. S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. 

FEMA-1792-DR-Louisana; Amendment #5.  Effective October 29, 2008, this disaster declaration is amended to include Natchitoches Parish for Public Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:31:56 EDT