Thursday, November 4, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South:
A cold front will move across the southern Appalachians today bringing the coldest air of the season into the area. A rather broad region of rain with embedded thunderstorms will move across the east today with the heaviest precipitation moving off the southeast and mid-Atlantic coasts overnight and shifting into the western Atlantic and into New England ahead of a surface low. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected across southern Florida. Some storms may become quite strong with heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, gusty winds, and hail.
Northeast:
Expect periods of rain to develop across the southern portion of the region this morning and continue into tonight as a low pressure develops off the North Carolina coast. The low will intensify as it moves up the east coast today. The colder air and favorable winds across the relatively warn Great Lakes will lead to some lake enhanced snow and rain shower activity with minor snow accumulations expected downwind of the lakes across portions western Pennsylvania and New York.
Midwest:
A deepening upper level trough over the Great lakes and Ohio Valley will continue to strengthen today. A low over Texas should help to funnel moisture up the Atlantic Coast. Skies will be cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers across the upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes. In the lower Mississippi River Valley, winds will increase as a cold front moves into the region. The cooler air will bring temperatures close to freezing tonight and Friday morning across portions of the region.
West:
A strong ridge of high pressure over California and the Great Basin will keep temperatures above normal across interior central California through Friday with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal. As the ridge shifts east, the above average warmth will reach the central and northern High Plains for Friday and Saturday where temperatures are expected to reach the 60s and 70s. (NOAA's National Weather Service, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and media sources)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm TomasÂ*
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Tomas was located about 315 miles southwest of Port au Prince, Haiti. Tomas is moving toward the north-northwest near 7 mph. A turn toward the north and northeast with some increase in forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center. On the forecast track, the center will pass near Haiti or extreme eastern Cuba tonight and early Friday and near or over the southeastern Bahamas on Friday.
Eastern Pacific
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Friday evening.
Western Pacific
No activity. (NOAA, NWS, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity

Alaska
Over the past two days, a swarm of more than 18 earthquakes has occurred offshore approximately 50 miles south of Adak, Alaska. No tsunami has been generated.
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Over the past three days, a swarm of more than 25 earthquakes has occurred offshore approximately 50 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. No tsunami has been generated. (USGS)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness: Level 1
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, November 3, 2010:
Initial attack activity: Light (118 new fires)
New large fires: 3
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 12
States Affected: MS, LA, FL, KY, VA, OK & MO (NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity. (HQ FEMA)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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