Wednesday, December 15, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Lake-effect snow will continue from western New York to the northern and central Appalachians today. The heaviest snows will likely fall this afternoon and into tonight. Snow accumulations in Upstate New York may reach 6-12 inches. In the New England area, an upper low will produce occasional light snow, sleet and freezing rain through Thursday. Temperatures in the region will remain below normal before slightly warming up toward the end of the week.
Midwest
Lake-effect snow is forecast to diminish across the Great Lakes. Light to moderate snow, with snow accumulations of 2-4 inches, are expected to develop from North Dakota to southern Minnesota, eastern Iowa, southwestern Wisconsin and northwest Illinois. Sleet, freezing rain and light snow are expected in the Middle Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Valleys from this morning into Thursday; however, icing conditions are not expected to develop. Cold and dry air will cause temperatures to drop into the teens across lower elevations, and to near zero at higher elevations across the region.
South
Cold weather will continue across much of the South, especially east of the Mississippi River, with near record low temperatures expected this morning. Subfreezing temperatures continue across Florida except on the southern Florida coastline and the Florida Keys. Light rain will develop over portions of the Central Gulf Coast this afternoon and will eventually move into parts of the Southeast on Thursday. Sleet and freezing rain are forecast this evening for sections of the Lower Mississippi Valley
West
A strong cold front is slowly moving across the region, which will result in significant snowfall accumulations for the Cascades, western Wyoming, and Montana through Thursday morning. Winter Weather Advisories will remain in effect for the Northern Intermountain and Northern Rockies until this evening. Light rain and higher elevation snow is expected from southern California to the Great Basin. Moderate snowfall is expected across the Wasatch of Utah and portions of central Idaho. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and various media sources)

Tornado Touchdown â Oregon

Current Situation
An unconfirmed tornado touched down in the City of Aumsville, Marion County at 2:51 p.m. EST Tuesday, December 14. The City of Aumsville is located 45 miles south of Portland. The tornado caused the most damage in the center section of the small city (population approximately 3,500 people), where several buildings and residences were damaged or destroyed. Numerous streets remain closed due to debris.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred offshore of the Aleutian Island Chain of Alaska at 9:33 a.m. EST yesterday at a depth of 18.3 miles. A magnitude 4.7 aftershock occurred two hours later at a depth of 13.5 miles. Both quakes were located approximately 60 miles south-southwest of Nikolski, AK. No injuries or damages have been reported and a tsunami was not generated. (USGS, West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)Â*
Wildfire Update

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity. (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
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