Tuesday, November 30, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
A storm system moving into the Pacific Northwest will produce one to three inches of rain for coastal areas of Washington and Oregon and one to two feet of snow for the Cascades. Gusty winds along the Washington and Oregon coasts could reach 65 mph. Midwest:
Widespread precipitation is expected across the Upper Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes, Ohio River Valley and the Tennessee Valley. Snow will develop over parts of the upper Midwest including an additional foot of snow for Minnesota. Snow will also fall in the Great Lakes area and move south as far as the central Appalachians. Heavy rain is expected in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys including more than two inches in some areas. South:
Widespread precipitation is expected across the Southeast. Heavy rain is expected in many areas including up to four inches in the southern Appalachians and two inches along the Gulf Coast. Severe thunderstorms, gusty winds and tornadoes are possible from Louisiana to North Carolina. South-central Texas remains under a high risk for fire from strong winds and low relative humidity.
Northeast:
Western portions of Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia will receive one to three inches of rain, afternoon thunderstorms, and localized flash flooding. Western New York, western Pennsylvania and the mountains of southeast West Virginia can also expect southerly winds of 30 to 40 mph, with higher gusts.
(NOAA and media sources)
Extremely Active Atlantic Hurricane Season was a 'Gentle Giant' for U.S.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends today, was one of the busiest on record. In contrast, the eastern North Pacific season had the fewest storms on record since the era of weather monitoring by satellite began.
In the Atlantic Basin, a total of 19 named storms formed which is tied with 1887 and 1995 for the third highest on record. Of those, 12 became hurricanes and so 2010 is tied with 1969 for the second highest number on record. Five of those cyclones reached major hurricane status of Category 3 or higher. These totals are within the ranges predicted in NOAAâs seasonal outlooks issued on May 27 (14-23 named storms; 8-14 hurricanes; 3-7 major hurricanes) and August 5 (14-20 named storms; 8-12 hurricanes; 4-6 major hurricanes). An average Atlantic season produces 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
Large-scale climate features strongly influenced this yearâs hurricane activity. This year, record warm Atlantic waters, combined with the favorable winds coming off Africa and weak wind shear aided by La Niña energized developing storms. The 2010 season continues the string of active hurricane seasons that began in 1995.
Since short-term weather patterns dictate where storms actually travel and luckily this season, that was often away from the United States. The Jet Streamâs position contributed to warm and dry conditions in the eastern U.S. that acted as a barrier that kept many storms out over the open water. Also, because many storms formed in the extreme eastern Atlantic, they re-curved back out to sea without threatening land. Other land areas of the Atlantic basin werenât as fortunate as the continental United States. Hurricane Tomas brought heavy rain to earthquake-ravaged Haiti, and several large storms, including Alex, battered eastern Mexico and Central America with heavy rain, mudslides and deadly flooding. For more information see the NOAA News Release: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories...aneseason.html.
Severe Weather Outbreak

On November 29, 2010, preliminary reports from the National Weather Service showed the development of a tornado in Louisiana, six tornadoes in Mississippi and numerous reports of large hail and gusty winds.
No damage was reported from the tornado in LA but in MS, there were early reports of damage in the counties of Yazoo, Attala, Leake, Monroe and Smith. Local officials plan to assess those areas today. No Federal assistance is requested.
(NOAA, NWS, Regions IV, VI)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Today is the final day of the 2010 Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin, Eastern Pacific region and the Central Pacific region.
Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

On Nov. 30, 2010, at 3:42 a.m. EST, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred at a depth of 21.6 miles offshore of the Fox Islands on the Aleutian Island Chain in Alaska, 55 miles SSW of Nikolski, AK. No damage or injuries were reported.
(USGS)
Wildfire Update

The National Interagency Coordination Center will issue reports only on Fridays unless there is significant activity.
(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(HQ FEMA)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
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