Wednesday, November 16, 2011
 

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

Northeast
Rain should continue mainly from the Mid-Atlantic States to southern New England today, with 1 to 2 inches likely from southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the Virginias. Severe thunderstorms could develop from southeast Virginia into the Delmarva Peninsula. Temperatures will remain near average to 15 degrees above average region-wide.
South
Rain and thunderstorms will persist from the lower Mississippi Valley to the Carolinas, Georgia and northern Florida today, with severe thunderstorms possible from the northern Gulf Coast to the Carolinas. Temperatures will be below average from western Texas to western Tennessee but well above average from southern Texas to the Carolinas.
Midwest
Snow moving across the northern Great Lakes could top 6 inches in the Upper Michigan Peninsula, and the Central Plains could see some light snow as colder air moves southward. Rain is slow to end across Kentucky and southern Ohio, and an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible in southern and eastern Kentucky. Lows will range from the teens and low 20s in the Northern Plains to the 40s and low 50s in Kentucky.
West
A strong Pacific storm will come onshore over the Northwest this morning moving eastward to the Northern High Plains by tomorrow, causing up to 1-2 inches of rain and 1-2 feet of snow in parts of the Cascades. Strong winds gusts up to 60 mph will quickly develop along the Washington and Oregon coasts and will spread eastward toward the Cascades. Temperatures will be above average in Nevada but below average across much of the Northwest and High Plains.
New NOAA COMET Training Modules

The COMET Meteorology Education Program has developed four new on-line tsunami training modules: Tsunami Warning Systems, Tsunami Science, Community Tsunami Preparedness, and TsunamiStrike!
The “Tsunami Warning Systems” module describes the processes involved in anticipating, detecting, and warning for a tsunami by summarizing data collection, modeling, analysis, and alert procedures used at NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers. The “Tsunami Science” module, entitled Tsunamis, delves into the science behind tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation. The “Community Tsunami Preparedness” module describes proper preparations for a tsunami. The “TsunamiStrike!” module is an interactive tsunami training module oriented for middle and high school ages, but fun and useful for anyone.
These fully narrated modules contain numerous animations and photographs, as well as a companion print version. The content varies between the modules, but is appropriate for anyone wanting to learn more about tsunamis, preparedness, and the components of tsunami warning systems.
The COMET program is part of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's (UCAR's) Community Programs and is sponsored by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS). It was established in 1989 by UCAR and NOAA’s NWS to promote a better understanding of meteorology among weather forecasters and to maximize the benefits of new weather technologies during the NWS’s modernization program. Additional information on the COMET program can be found at their website, http://comet.ucar.edu/ .
Space Weather:

Space weather in the last 24 hours has been minor. Radio blackouts reaching the R1 (lowest) level occurred and are likely in the next 24 hours.Â*
Tropical Weather Outlook

No tropical cyclone activity is expected over the next 48 hours.Â*
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

On November 15, 2011, South Dakota disaster FEMA-1984-DR closed its Joint Field Office (JFO), while New York disaster FEMA-1993-DR concluded operations at their JFO and moved to the FEMA Region II office in New York, NY. The JFO in New York remains open supporting FEMA-3328-EM, FEMA-3341-EM, FEMA-4020-DR, & FEMA-4031-DR. Additionally, FEMA-4003-DR-PA intends to conclude its operations today and transition to the PA State EOC.Â*


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