Friday, October 22, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South
Widespread showers and thunderstorms with a possibility of strong winds, damaging hail, tornadoes and dangerous lightning are likely today across much of the Southern and Central Plains. Dry conditions, combined with low relative humidity, will continue to increase fire danger in portions of Georgia and Florida this afternoon.
Midwest
Most of the region will remain cool and dry today under high pressure. Widespread hard frost is expected in the Great Lakes with overnight temperatures into the 30s.
Northeast
The region can expect dry weather with a continuation of cooler than normal temperatures. Northern New England will be the exception as rain and snow showers are expected.
West
A series of strong storm systems will impact the Pacific Northwest through Saturday, with rain and mountain snow expected in Washington, Oregon, and northern California. Precipitation in the central Rockies is expected to gradually taper off today but snow is expected to continue over the Continental Divide through the weekend.
(NOAA and media sources)Â*
NOAA's Winter Outlook influenced by La Nina

According to NOAAâs recently issued Winter Outlook for December-February, 2011, a moderate to strong La Nina will influence the potential for extreme weather this winter across most of the United States. La Nina is associated with cooler than normal water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean and can occur every two to five years. Last yearâs weather was dominated by El Nino, which is associated with warmer than normal water temperatures in the Pacific.
This winter, the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains may experience colder and wetter than average conditions, while the Southwest, Southern Plains, Gulf Coast, and Southeast will be warmer and drier than average. In the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, conditions are expected to be warmer and wetter than average. Hawaii is expected to be drier than normal in November and wetter than normal conditions will begin in December and continue through February. For Alaska, the odds favor colder than average temperatures with equal chances of above or below normal precipitation. Because winter weather in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region is not often driven by La Nina, there are equal chances for above, near or below normal temperatures and precipitation.
Last yearâs El Nino conditions contributed to record-breaking rain and snowfall that led to severe flooding in some parts of the county and brought record heat and drought to other parts of the country. Although La Niña is the opposite of El Niño, it also has the potential to bring weather extremes to parts of the nation. For additional information visit www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20101021_winteroutlook.html

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of MexicoÂ*
Tropical Storm Richard is located about 235 miles south of Grand Cayman with maximum sustained winds around 40 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend outward 105 miles to the north and east of the center. The storm is nearly stationary and little motion is expected today but a slow westward motion with a gradual increase in forward speed is expected on Saturday. Tropical Storm Richard is expected to produce three to seven inches of rain over northern Honduras and could result in life-threatening flash floods and mudslides for that region.
Another small low-pressure systems is located about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles but there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
A third low-pressure system is located about 100 miles south of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. There is a medium chance, near 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone as it moves slowly westward during the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)Â*

Earthquake Activity

On Oct. 21, 2010, at 1:53 p.m. EDT, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles in the Gulf of California about 65 miles south of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, and 85 miles northeast of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. No damage or injuries were reported. (USGS)

Wildfire Update

Wildfire National Preparedness:Â* Level 1
National Wildfire activity as of Thursday, October 21, 2010:
Initial attack activity: moderate (263 new fires), new large fires: 0, large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 2, U.S. States affected:Â* LA, & FL(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(HQ FEMA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On October 21, 2010, the President signed a major disaster declaration (FEMA-1944-DR) for Wisconsin for damages resulting from severe storms and flooding that occurred September 22 to October 9, 2010. The declaration makes nine counties eligible for the Public Assistance Program and all counties eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster is Paul J. Ricciuti.
On October 21, 2010, the President signed a major disaster declaration (FEMA-1945-DR) for the state of Nebraska for damages resulting from severe storms, flooding, tornados, and straight-line winds that occurred September 13-14, 2010. The declaration makes seven counties eligible for the Public Assistance Program and all counties eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster is Stephen R. Thompson.
(FEMA HQ)
Disaster Field Offices
17 Open Field Offices are supporting 30 Major Disaster Declarations and 4 Emergency Declarations. (HQ FEMA)
Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: videos and podcasts available atÂ*www.fema.gov/medialibrary andÂ*www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter atÂ*www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook atÂ*www.facebook.com/fema


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