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National Situation Update: Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

 West 
Another strong Pacific storm will impact the Northwest today, producing strong winds, heavy rain and snow through Thursday.  Wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible along the coasts of Washington and Oregon beginning late this afternoon; inland, wind gusts are expected to be 30 to 50 mph in Seattle and Portland.  Heavy rain is forecast along the west facing slopes of the mountains and coastal hills; accumulations of 1 to 4 inches are possible.  Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet are possible across the Cascades and Olympics.  An Avalanche Watch has been issued for the Olympics and west slopes of the North Cascades and Passes.
Midwest
A stalled low pressure system will produce rain and wet snow across the Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes today.  Portions of southern Michigan and the upper Ohio Valley could receive accumulations up to one inch.
South 
A cold front will produce light rain along the Appalachians eastward to the Carolinas today.  Rain accumulations will generally be light, but portions of the Carolinas may receive up to an inch.  A Freeze Warning has been issued for portions of central Texas and central Oklahoma until later this morning.
Northeast
Light rain is forecast over much of West Virginia and western Virginia this afternoon.  (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources) 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Monday afternoon.
Western Pacific 
No activity threatening United States Territories.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Tuesday, November 17 at 10:31 a.m. EST, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred offshore 211 miles south of Metlakatla, AK, and approximately 510 miles northwest of Seattle, WA. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles.  No injuries or damages were reported and no tsunami warnings were generated.  (FEMA HQ) 

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

 Note: Fire season is coming to an end - the National Interagency Coordination Center will issue reports only on Fridays unless there is significant activity.
• National Preparedness Level:  1
• National Fire Activity as of  Friday, November 13, 2009
• Initial attack activity:  Light (108 new fires)
• New large fires:  1
• Large fires contained:  1
• Uncontained large fires:  0
• States affected:  AZ and MO  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)