Thursday, October 28, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Widespread windy conditions in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and the Great Lakes Region continue to improve this morning as winds subside and the snow moves north into Canada. Cold will linger over the region with high temperatures in the 30s and 40s, and lows below freezing. Freeze Watches and Warnings are in effect from Colorado to Ohio.
South
The threat of showers and thunderstorms remains in the forecast across the Southeast from the eastern Carolinas to northern Florida. Windy conditions and low relative humidity will contribute to Red Flag Warnings across portions of southern Texas and Louisiana, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Freeze Watches and Warnings are in effect across the Panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma.
Northeast
The stalled front over the Gulf Coast states and into the Mid-Atlantic will continue to keep rain chances in the forecast through Friday morning. Colder temperatures will move into the Northeast and wind gusts of 30 mph or greater are possible from West Virginia up to the St. Lawrence River.
West
Unsettled weather conditions are expected from Washington down to Northern California with snow likely from the Cascades down to the northern Sierra Nevada. Temperature ranges will be in the 50s in the Pacific Northwest to around 90 degrees over the Desert Southwest. Portions of eastern New Mexico will see temperatures below freezing overnight.(NOAA and media sources)
Severe Weather Outbreak

Powerful storms resulted in nearly 400 reports of severe weather across 18 states from October 26-27, 2010. There were 47 reported tornadoes across 10 states (IL, WI, IN, KY, OH, TN, NC, SC, VA & MD). Most responses were handled at local and county levels and local damage assessments are underway. There were widespread reports of downed trees & power lines but there are no requests for State or Federal assistance. Power outages continue to be restored.(FEMA Regions V, IV)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of MexicoÂ*
A nearly stationary low pressure system is located about 1,200 miles northwest of the northernmost Cape Verde Islands. Although upper-level winds are only marginally conducive for development, only a small increase in organization would result in the formation of a tropical storm. There is a medium chance, near 50 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
A tropical wave is located over the tropical Atlantic about 1,050 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands. Environmental conditions appear favorable for some slow development of this system during the next few days. There is a low chance, near 20 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Another surface low is forming about 700 miles south-southeast of Bermuda. Environmental conditions are becoming more conducive for development and there is a high chance, near 60 percent, of this system becoming a subtropical or tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Wildfire National Preparedness: Level 1
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, October 27, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (53 new fires), new large fires: 2, large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 8, U.S. States affected: MS, LA, FL, VA, KY, AR, OK, & TX
(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(HQ FEMA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Field Offices
There are 17 Open Field Offices supporting 27 Major Disaster Declarations and 3 Emergency Declarations.
(FEMA HQ)

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