Monday, December 12, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

West
Widespread rain showers and mountain snows are forecast across Central and Southern California, the Desert Southwest, the Southern/Central Rockies and adjacent areas of the Great Basin starting early today through tomorrow evening. Locally moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Southern California, accompanied by flooding and mudslides. Snow is possible at levels down to 3,500 feet across the Southern California Mountains and Nevada today before moving inland towards the Great Basin and Central Rockies. Snow is also expected in the Northern Intermountain and Northern Rockies. Areas of fog and air quality alerts continue across the Pacific Northwest.
Midwest
A wintry mix of snow, ice and rain is possible in the Upper Mississippi Valley and the Upper Great Lakes. Freezing rain advisories remain in effect for Wisconsin through this morning, where slick roads and icy conditions may lead to travel difficulties. Snow and ice accumulations should be light for Minnesota and Michigan.
South
Rain is forecast for the Southeast, storms could become severe with isolated thunderstorms in Georgia and northern Florida through this evening. Rain showers will continue from the Central and Southern Plains into the Middle Mississippi Valley. Winds gusts may reach 20 mph in Texas.
Northeast
The region is forecast to be dry and sunny, with mild temperatures expected for New York and New England.(NOAA, National Weather Service and media sources)Â*
Space Weather:

No space weather storms were observed during the past 24 hours and no space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. (SWPC)Â*
2011 Hurricane Season Summary:

The trend of active hurricane seasons that began in 1995 continued with the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. This year there were 19 tropical storms, of which seven became hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. The 19 tropical storms represent the third-highest total (tied with 1887, 1995, and 2010) since records began in 1851, and was well above the average of 11 storms per year. However, the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes was only slightly above the average of six and two, respectively.
This yearâs totals include an unnamed tropical storm that formed in early September between Bermuda and Nova Scotia. This unnamed storm, along with several other weak, short-lived named storms this year, could have gone undetected without modern satellite technology. Hurricane Irene was the only hurricane to hit the United States in 2011, and the first one to do so since Ike struck southeast Texas in 2008. Irene was also the most significant tropical cyclone to strike the Northeast since Hurricane Bob in 1991.
2011 marked a record sixth straight year without a major hurricane (Category 3 or greater) hitting the United States. The last one to do so was Wilma in 2005. Nonetheless, wind is not the only threat with tropical systems as proven by Irene and Lee, which caused deadly and destructive flooding, particularly in inland areas of the Northeast. On average, more than half of the fatalities related to tropical systems are due to flooding. As the 2011 hurricane season comes to an end, we mark the beginning of hurricane preparedness season. Taking stock of our plans and determining what worked and didnât work is the key to improving our readiness for the 2012 season and beyond. This is why it has been said, "The battle against the hurricane is waged during the off season.".
Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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