Tuesday, April 20, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

WestÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*
A Pacific storm will bring rain, snow, and thunderstorms from Washington to western Montana, and southward to southern California. Most of the heavy snow will be in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada. Snow levels will drop as the core of the cold air moves in tonight. Snowfall accumulations of 1 to 2 feet are expected in the Sierra Nevada with lesser amounts over northern California into Oregon. Ahead of the storm, gusty winds will move into southern Nevada, southern Utah and eastern California. The lower elevations of Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado will see temperatures 5 to15 degrees above average, while California into the southwest will see temperatures 5 to 15 degrees below average.
Northeast
Early morning frost is possible from central New England and upstate New York, southwestward into western Pennsylvania and northwest Virginia, with some areas seeing temperatures near 30 degrees. Temperatures should rise to the 60s by the afternoon across much of the region.
Midwest
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible from South Dakota to Kansas, but little to no severe weather is expected. Showers are also possible northward into Kentucky otherwise, the region will remain dry. Scattered frost is likely this morning across parts of eastern Ohio and much ofÂ* lower Michigan.
South
The southeastern region and the Texas Rio Grande Valley may see some showers today but no severe weather is expected. Temperatures will remain about average for the season.Â*(NOAA, National Weather Service and media sources)Â*
Volcanic Activity

Eyjafjalla, Iceland Volcano Update
Volcanic eruptions continue to form ash clouds that have been affecting the airspace in Europe since Wednesday, April 14, 2010.
Restrictions on European airspace will ease today, but a âno-flyâ zone will still be in effect for about one-third of the current airspace area considered contaminated by volcanic ash.Â* EUROCONTROL reports that the âno-flyâ zone has yet to be defined and would take into account updated ash forecasts from EUROCONTROL issued every six hours. The âno-flyâ zone will be established by the member states (of the 38 âstatesâ that are members of EUROCONTROL) affected and will be based on satellite images where the concentration of ash is known to be high; a buffer zone will also be established. Western Europe appears to be the area most likely to remain subject to restriction, while the Nordic states and southern and eastern Europe will probably be the least affected by the ash cloud. Once a âno-flyâ zone is agreed upon, no one is will be allowed to file a flight plan that penetrates this zone. EUROCONTROL reports that approximately 8,700 flights took place in European airspace on April 19.Â*(MET OFFICE, EUROCONTROL - April 19)Â*
Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

On April 19, 2010, FEMA-1900-DR-MN was declared for Flooding in Minnesota that occurred March 1, 2010, and continuing. Public Assistance for 18 counties and one Tribal Nation, and Hazard Mitigation statewide and for all Tribes in the state of Minnesota, have been approved.


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