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National Situation Update: Thursday, March 4, 2010

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West: 
A low pressure system moving into the Intermountain West will produce rain and mountain snow across Idaho and Montana and as far south as southern California and northern Arizona.  Up to a foot of new snow is expected in the Sierras above 6,500 feet. Other Western mountain ranges will see up to eight inches of snow in elevations above 6,000 feet.  The next system will move into California late tomorrow and early Saturday. This system will produce almost an inch of rain over Southern California. Mudslides and debris flows are possible especially across the burn areas.
Midwest:
A cold dome of high pressure will produce generally clear and cold conditions across the region.  High temperatures will range from the 20s to lower 30s in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, upper 30s across the Ohio Valley and the low 50s over the central Plains. 
South:
Under high pressure, much of the region will be generally precipitation free and unseasonably cool.
Light snow is forecast for the western slopes of the Appalachians through tomorrow.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect during afternoon and evening hours for much of Florida due to wind and low relative humidity.
Northeast:
A deep low off the New England Coast will produce gusty winds and residual snow showers across the region.  Higher elevations of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia any pick up two to four inches of new snow.  A few snow showers are possible over the western parts of New York, Pennsylvania and New England. The low will produce winds of 35 to 45 mph, with higher gusts, along much of coastal New England. A combination of wind and high tides will cause minor coastal flooding from New Jersey through New England early today. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Hydro Meteorological Prediction Center, and various media sources) 

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

There were no significant earthquakes in the United States or its territories.
International –8.8 Magnitude Offshore of Chile (February 27, 2010)
Aftershocks (ranging from 4.9M to 6.2M) continue since the initial earthquake. (USGS; WCATWC; PTWC) 

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President has signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1882-DR-DC for the District of Columbia for a Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm that occurred December 18-20, 2009. The declaration provides for Public Assistance (assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities) for the District of Columbia; and for assistance for emergency protective measure (Category B), including snow assistance. The District of Columbia is eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The FCO is Regis Leo Phelan of the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ) 

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Mar-2010 07:57:25 EST