Tuesday, October 26, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
A deepening low pressure system is producing precipitation and strong winds from the Northern Plains to the Great Lakes and southward to the Gulf of Mexico. Some areas of the upper-Midwest may experience sustained wind speeds over 40 mph and wind gusts in excess of 50 mph.
Behind this system, cold air from Canada will push down into the Northern Plains. Blizzard Warnings are in effect for much of North Dakota and parts of Montana through Wednesday with 60 mph winds and from two to eight inches of snow expected in some areas.
The cold front extends south over the Central and Upper Mississippi Valley and is being driven eastward toward the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Tornado Watches and Warnings are in effect in the Ohio River Valley and these areas may see severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and hail greater than one inch in diameter.
Behind the cold front, the Northern Plains and Midwest high winds will continue to impact the region with frequent gusts to 50 mph and waves on Lakes Superior and Michigan likely to reach 20 feet.
West:
An inch of rain is likely along the Pacific coast and in low-lying areas while snow will be the predominant precipitation in the mountains. Winds of 20 to 40 mph and gusts exceeding 60 mph are forecast from Montana to New Mexico. The wind combined with low humidity levels will produce critical fire weather in parts of Colorado and Kansas.
South:
The cold front impacting the Midwest will spread down across the region and produce rainshowers and thunderstorms, with some possibly severe.
Northeast:
Residual showers over New England this morning will give way to an extensive band of precipitation over the entire region this evening as the cold front moves rapidly out of the Midwest.
(NOAA and media sources)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Depression Richard is located about 135 miles west-southwest of Campeche, Mexico moving northwest at 10 mph. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 30 mph with some higher gusts but is deteriorating. Richard will be impacted by the combination of strong vertical wind shear and dry air over the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to be just a remnant low sometime later today.
Another area of low pressure is centered about 1,150 miles west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands and a nearby upper-level low. There is a medium chance, near 30 percent, of this system becoming a subtropical 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

There was no significant earthquake activity in the United States or its territories during the last 24 hours.
(USGS)
Wildfire Update

Wildfire National Preparedness: Level 1
National Fire Activity as of Monday, October 25, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (67 new fires), new large fires: 4, large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 3, U.S. States affected: LA, FL, VA & KY
(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(HQ FEMA)
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