Friday, February 18, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

WestÂ*
Unsettled weather is expected throughout the western U.S. this weekend. Heavy snow will continue in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with accumulations up to three feet possible in some areas. As the system moves inland, light snow will develop over portions of the Great Basin and Northern Intermountain Region and parts of the northern Rockies through Saturday. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect through Saturday morning for portions of California and Nevada.
Northeast
Unusually mild temperatures are expected across the Mid-Atlantic. Highs in the 70s approaching 80s are expected east of the Appalachians. Strong winds of 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph are possible in portions of New York and New England through Saturday.
Midwest
Most of the region will be dry today with temperatures 20 degrees above average across the Lower Great Lakes as a system moves northeastward into eastern Canada. Scattered snow showers will develop downwind of the Great Lakes from west to east with a surge of cold air on Saturday. Flood Warnings are in effect for rivers across the region due to ice jams and snow melt.
South
Showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected from the Southern Plains to the East Coast. Temperatures across the region will remain in the 70s and 80s throughout the day.
(National Weather Service, Hydro meteorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)
Solar Activity

The first of three coronal mass ejections (CME) passed the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft, about 930,000 miles toward the Sun - from the Earth Thursday evening. Although the resulting G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm affected the earthâs magnetic field, no significant impacts were observed. Click here for more information on space weather scales. The two remaining CMEs are expected to reach Earth over the next day or two, but it is yet too early to determine what their impacts may be. According to the NOAA Space Weather Scale for Geomagnetic Storms, G1 storms can produce weak power grid fluctuations and have minor impacts on satellite operations. Migratory animals are affected at this and higher levels, and the aurora may be visible in northern Michigan and Maine. During G2 storms, auroras may be visible in New York and Idaho and may cause voltage alarms. During long duration storms transformer damage is possible. For additional information visit: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/today.html.
Â*(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/NOAA, Space Weather)

Earthquake Activity

Over the past six months, more than 700 earthquakes have been recorded in Arkansas ranging from magnitude 2.0 to magnitude 4.0. Since Sunday, over 30 quakes have occurred within the area. The most recent was an M 4.0 that occurred on Thursday at approximately 11:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 36 miles north of Little Rock, at a depth of 2.0 miles. No damage or injuries were reported. Earthquakes east of the Rockies are less frequent than in the west and are generally felt over a much broader area. A magnitude 4.0 in the eastern U.S. can be felt as far as 60 miles from the center and infrequently causes damages near the source.
(USGS)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are underway for the following states: Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Washington.
Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1956-DR for the State of Oregon as a result of severe winter storms, flooding, mudslides, landslides and debris flows that occurred Jan. 13-21, 2011. The Declaration provides Public Assistance for six counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Dolph A. Diemont.
(FEMA HQ)


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