Skip to content

National Situation Update: Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South:
Under high pressure, the region will be dry but unseasonably cold and parts of Florida will have their coldest morning of the season.  A Hard Freeze Warning extends from southern Alabama through southern Georgia and northern Florida for temperatures of 28 degrees or colder.  A Freeze Warning is in effect from New Orleans and central Florida for temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees.  The same areas will be under watches for tomorrow night as well.  Temperatures will moderate as milder air pushes eastward from the southern Plains.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. EST today for low humidity in parts of central and north Georgia and South Florida.  A Fire Weather Watch is also in effect through Thursday afternoon for these areas.
West:
An area of low pressure will move ashore today producing precipitation from southern California to Oregon with snow in elevations above 7,500 ft and a wintery mix spreading into Nevada, Utah and Arizona tonight and tomorrow.  Most of the precipitation will fall in Southern California where coastal and valley areas are generally expected to receive between one half to one and a half inches of rain with the highest amounts expected south of Point Conception.  Localized flooding is possible.  The Pacific Northwest's air stagnation problem should improve by Friday.  In Southern California the clouds and precipitation will end the record high temperatures (80 degrees or better for 10 consecutive days) in Los Angeles.
Midwest:
The region will have a generally dry day with seasonable temperatures.  Tomorrow, a cold front and a weak area of low pressure will produce light snow over North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and northern Michigan.
Northeast:
Under a ridge of high pressure most of the Northeast will be dry except for a few snow showers around the Great Lakes.  Highs will only reach the teens and 20s across the north and in the lower to middle 30s in Virginia.(NOAA, NWS, Various Media Sources)

Impacts of Inaugural Weather

Every four years, American citizens elect their President and many contemplate making the journey to the Nation's Capitol to bear witness to this transition of power.  Given that our Inaugural Ceremony takes place on January 20th, weather conditions can impact the ability of Americans to take part in this event.  The weather for the 56th Presidential Inauguration was overcast, with a low of 19 degrees (F) and a high of 30, but despite bitterly cold conditions, this Presidential Inauguration was not the coldest on record.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the record low temperatures for a January Inauguration occurred in 1985 at the second Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan, with a record low of 17 F and a wind chill of   -10 to -20 F.  As a result of these conditions, the ceremony was moved indoors to the Rotunda.  Of the estimated two million spectators who waited in the cold to witness the inauguration of the 44th President, ESF-8 reports that only 362 patients were medically evaluated, with five needing advanced care and 22 transported to                      (Source: NOAA, Jan 21, 2009)    medical facilities.  This is a relatively small number when considering what the outcome could have been if weather conditions had approached or equaled those of the 1985 inauguration.(NOAA, ESF-8, InauguralSenate.Gov)

Inauguration Update

  • Federal, State, and Local agencies report no unmet needs (HHS, Jan. 20)
  • ESF 6 is keeping 3 shelters open through the night; all scheduled to be closed at 6:00 a.m. provided there is no activity or need
  • Temperatures remain below normal (High today 33; Low tonight 24); wind chills in the teens

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

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

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:27:58 EDT