Friday, November 5, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South
In much of the South, cool temperatures will fall to the lowest levels of the season and in many areas, temperatures will drop below freezing tonight through Sunday night. A cold front will bring light to moderate showers to south Florida early today but any thunderstorm activity should be limited.
Northeast
Moderate to heavy rain will continue in areas of the northeast through mid-day. In the higher elevations of western Pennsylvania and New York, today will bring the first significant snowfall of the season, with the potential for six or more inches in some locations though Saturday.
Midwest
The center of the country can expect pleasant weekend weather with temperatures in the Southern Plains in the 70s and around 60 degrees in the Northern Plains. Warm daytime temperatures will quickly bring the threat for frost or freeze as overnight temperatures will drop off quickly after sunset for a large portion of the Plains and Southeastern states. An elevated fire weather risk continues in the Central Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley due to drier than normal conditions and gusty north to northwest winds.
West
The western United States will remain predominantly dry except for a chance for rain in southwest California on Saturday. Temperatures will remain above normal in the Central Rockies.
(NOAA and media sources)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane Tomas was located about 80 miles south-southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, moving northeast at 10 mph. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Haiti, Southeast portions of the Bahamas, and eastern Cuba. Tropical storm watches and warnings are in effect for Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and central areas of Cuba. There is a severe threat of flooding and mud slides from the storm in some areas as rainfall amounts over Hispaniola are anticipated to be in the five to 10 inch range with isolated areas receiving up to 15 inches of rain. Dangerous storm surges of one to three feet are also expected along the coast of Haiti with surges of three to five feet expected along the coast of Cuba.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

In California, magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred November 4, 2010 at 3:39 p.m. EDT near the California-Mexico border, 25 miles west of El Centro, at a reported depth of 8.4 miles. There are no reports of damage or injury.
In Alaska, a swarm of more than 36 earthquakes with a magnitude 2.5 or greater occurred offshore, approximately 50 miles south of Adak. On Wednesday, November 4, 2010, there were 11 quakes in the area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater; the highest was magnitude 5.0. No tsunami has been generated.
(USGS)
Wildfire Update

National Wildfire Preparedness: Level 1
National fire activity as of Thursday, November 4, 2010: initial attack activity: light (116 new fires)
New large fires: 4, large fires contained: 6, uncontained large fires: 7, U.S. States Affected: MS, LA, FL, KY, VA, OK & MT
(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(HQ FEMA)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No activity.
(FEMA HQ)
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