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National Situation Update: Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West: 
Expect rain in coastal areas of Washington and Oregon with snow across the northern half of the region.  This precipitation will slide southward during the day. New snow accumulations should range from six to twelve inches in the mountains and two to six inches in lower elevations.  Northwesterly winds will result in temperatures dropping below zero in Colorado and Wyoming and possibly as low as -20F in Montana.

Midwest:
A cold front will produce accumulations of four to eight inches of snow from North Dakota to Illinois.  Blizzard conditions are forecast for parts of South Dakota and Kansas.  Behind the front the Arctic air will result in temperatures below zero, wind chills of -30F to -40F can be expected.  Tomorrow, the cold air will reach the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley.

South:
A cold front will drop into the Southern Plains producing one to three inches of snow in Oklahoma and northern Arkansas.  Tonight, the front will move further south producing one to three inches of snow from Tennessee to northern Georgia and rain showers along the Gulf Coast.  Temperatures behind the cold front will only range from the teens over the Southern Plains to the lower 30s along the western Gulf Coast and in the Mississippi Valley.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect until this evening for the  Florida panhandle and SW Alabama. 

Northeast:
The region will remain cold under a northwesterly wind flow.  High temperatures will reach the 20s over interior sections and 40s near the coast.  Snow showers should continue from West Virginia to northern New England.  Accumulations could be two to six inches with the heavier accumulations near the Great Lakes. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources) 

National Hurricane Center Provides Greater Lead Time in Watches/Warnings

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami will issue watches and warnings for tropical storms and hurricanes along threatened coastal areas 12 hours earlier than in previous years. According to NHC experts, advancements in track forecasts are making it possible for forecasters to provide greater lead time.  Tropical storm watches will be issued when tropical storm conditions are possible along the coast within 48 hours. Tropical storm warnings will be issued when those conditions are expected within 36 hours. This is an increase of 12 hours from those issued in previous years.

Similar increases in lead-time will apply to hurricane watches and warnings. The hurricane watches and warnings will generally be timed to provide 48 and 36 hours notice, respectively, before the onset of tropical storm force winds. That additional time will also allow people preparing for the storm – securing oil rig platforms, getting food and water stockpiled, boarding windows, etc., – enough time to finish preparations and get to safe shelter. “With increases in population and infrastructure along vulnerable U.S. coastlines, emergency managers need more lead time in order to make life-saving decisions regarding evacuations,” said Bill Read, director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. 

These changes will go into effect for the 2010 hurricane season, which begins on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific and on June 1 for the Atlantic Basin.  NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.
On the Web:  NOAA’s National Hurricane Center: http://www.hurricanes.gov 

Volcano Activity

  • The Alaska Volcano Observatory has reduced the Alert level to “Normal” and Aviation Color Code to “Green” for the Redoubt Volcano.  The swarm of small earthquakes that began on Sunday, December 27 has ceased and the degree of seismic activity beneath the volcano has returned to background levels.  (Alaska Volcano Observatory) 

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

  • No significant activity in the U.S.
  • Outside of the U.S. the following events occurred:
    • Aftershocks ranging from 4.5 to 5.1 in magnitude continue in the vicinity of the Solomon Islands.   (USGS, NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) 

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Jan-2010 07:40:56 EST