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National Situation Update: Monday, December 24, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West
A high wind watch is in effect for Southern California until December 25th.  Santa Ana winds will develop later today into Tuesday.  Winds as high as 40-60 mph are expected in some of the passes and canyons.  Critical fire conditions are possible for Tuesday, December 25, 2007.  The next chance for stronger Santa Ana winds will be on Wednesday as a more powerful storm moves into the area.  Snow is forecast from the Cascades eastward into western Montana and western Wyoming, and southeastward into Utah and northwest Colorado.  Rain showers will impact western Washington and western Oregon.  High temperatures are expected to range from the 20s and 30s in the intermountain region to near 70 at the extreme southern end of the Colorado River Valley.

Midwest
According to media sources at least 11 deaths have been blamed on the Midwest snowstorm that left thousands without electricity.  The storm moved through the region with heavy snows and high winds.
Snow is forecast for the western Dakotas, and from eastern Minnesota and eastern Iowa eastward through Michigan and Ohio.  Blowing and drifting snow will continue around the Great Lakes, especially through the morning hours.  High temperatures are expected to range from the teens in much of Minnesota, Wisconsin and northeast Iowa to the 40s in western Nebraska, western and southern Kansas, and from southern Missouri into Kentucky and the southern portions of Illinois and Indiana.

South
Dry weather with seasonable temperatures is forecast for much of the South today.  High temperatures are expected to range from the 40s across northern Oklahoma, northern Arkansas and northern Tennessee to the 70s in far south Texas and the southern half of the Florida Peninsula.

Northeast
High wind conditions will continue across the Northeast with wind gusts lessening during the afternoon hours.  Snow flurries are forecast for much of northern New England, New York state, and western and northern Pennsylvania.  Areas east of Lake Ontario are expected to receive as much as 12 inches of snow.  Flood warnings have been issued for the Susquehanna River until late this evening in western New York and northeastern Pennsylvania.  High temperatures will range from the 20s and 30s in northern New England, most of New York state and Pennsylvania to the 50s in portions of Virginia. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico/Eastern Pacific/Central Pacific:
A low pressure system is presently in the Atlantic approximately 1,200 miles off the coast of Florida.  The system is sliding to the east and is expected to dissipate within 18 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings. ( NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)