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National Situation Update: Monday, July 6, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant Weather

West
A high pressure system will push into the Pacific Northwest today, resulting in unsettled weather and much cooler temperatures.  Recent highs have reached the 80s, but will drop to the 60s and 70s over the next few days.  Temperature highs will reach into the 80s in the Sacramento Valley, 100 to 115 in the Desert Southwest and near 100 in southeast Colorado and eastern New Mexico.  Some showers and thunderstorms will develop from parts of Washington and western Oregon to northern Montana.  Red Flag Warnings remain in effect until 1:00 pm PDT today throughout Washington, northern Idaho and north-central Oregon for a combination of winds and low relative humidities followed by thunderstorms producing abundant lightning.  Flood Warnings continue for locations along the Wind River in west-central Wyoming and the Thompson River in south-central Idaho.  Flash Flood Watches have been issued for portions of southern New Mexico and west Texas through late tonight.
South
A low pressure system will continue to slowly move toward the northern Gulf Coast today through Thursday, triggering more thunderstorms through the upcoming week; rainfall is likely from eastern Texas to southern Georgia and the northern two-thirds of Florida.  The heat will dissipate temporarily, but will resurge by mid-to-late week, especially over the southern plains; highs today will reach the 80s across most of the southeast.  Flood Warnings continue for rivers in southern Louisiana and south-central Florida.
Midwest
A slight risk of thunderstorms is forecast across the central and southern High Plains, North Dakota and the northern Mississippi Valley.  Highs will range from the 80s to the 90s, with the exception of northern Michigan, where highs will only reach the mid to upper 60s.  Flood Warnings remain in effect along the James River in northeastern South Dakota, the Thompson River in south-central Iowa and the Illinois River in west-central Illinois.
Northeast
A low pressure system will move into the Northeast from Canada, producing showers and thunderstorms from New York through New England; a few storms are possible for parts of the Mid-Atlantic.  Highs will range from the 60s in New England to the 80s across the Mid-Atlantic.  (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with an area of low pressure located about 400 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California continue to show signs of organization.  Conditions are marginally favorable for development; this system has the potential to become a tropical depression within the next day or so as it moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.  There is a medium chance (30 to 50 percent) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected.
Western Pacific 
No activity.  (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No significant earthquake activity in the United States or its territories. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  1
National Fire Activity as of Sunday, July 5, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (146 new fires)
New large fires:  2
Large fires contained:  0
Uncontained large fires:  8
States affected:  CA & AK (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 06-Jul-2009 08:46:40 EDT