National Situation Update: Sunday, November 18, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather
West:
The low pressure system moving ashore near the California-Oregon Border will move quickly eastward into Montana and into the northern Plains. Showery precipitation and mountain snow, with lowering snow levels, will dominate weather in the Pacific Northwest. High temperatures will range from the 30s in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies to the high 80's in the Southwest.
Midwest:
A dry cold front will move rapidly eastward across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest today producing isolated showers and possibly some snow flurries.
South:
Most of the Region will be dry with increasing temperatures. The Tennessee Valley may see some precipitation associated with the fast moving, relatively dry "clipper low" exiting the Mid Atlantic. A disturbance moving eastward along the U.S.-Mexico border will produce thunderstorms across the Gulf Coast from Texas to Louisiana. Several inches of rain are possible with the potential for localized flooding.
Northeast:
The "clipper low" will slow over the southern Mid-Atlantic States before moving east of the DelMarVa Peninsula tonight. Light snow will spread from Ohio and Pennsylvania to interior southern New England with light rain along the coast. Once out over the Atlantic, the low will slow down and pick up the moisture it lacked over land. The snow and rain will turn heavier today into Monday. Snowfall in the Poconos and Catskills could locally exceed 6 inches by Monday. High temperatures will range from the 20's in Maine to 50s in southern Virginia. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Media Sources)
Update on Possible Santa Ana Event This Week
On Wednesday, November 21, 2007, high pressure will be forced southward across the Great Basin. Offshore flow should begin on Wednesday with lowering relative humidity (RH) through the day. Extremely low RH should be in place by Thursday as offshore winds increase to moderate levels. New indications are that there could be a very significant offshore wind event Friday and Saturday. Computer model forecasts this far out are quite uncertain but given the pattern it is safe to say that there will be some degree of low RH and offshore flow through the weekend. Evolution of this event should be monitored daily for any forecast changes. (NOAA's National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern and Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings affecting U.S. interests.
Bay of Bengal:
Tropical Cyclone Sidr, the deadliest storm to hit Bangladesh in a decade, destroyed tens of thousands of homes in southwest Bangladesh on Thursday and ruined crops just before harvest season. More than a million coastal villagers were forced to evacuate to government shelters. According to news media, the official death toll from the storm has risen to 1,861, and authorities believe the figure could rise further as the country works to recover. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Media Sources)
Earthquake Activity
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile Saturday at 12:54 p.m. EST, the latest in a series of aftershocks since Wednesday's 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was 40 miles north-northwest of Antofagasta, Chile, at a depth of 4.3 miles. There were no reports of damage or injuries. No significant earthquake activity affecting U.S. interests. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Nov-2007 07:57:55 EST