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National Situation Update: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
The Region will be relatively mild with the exception of the northern Rockies where some areas may see six to 12 inches of snow.  The possibility exists for very gusty winds over the Continental Divide and adjacent High Plains.  High temperatures will range from the 20s in the Rockies to the low 80s in southwest Arizona.

Midwest:
The Region will have mixed precipitation with heavy rain occurring over much of the Ohio Valley with some locales receiving two to four inches of rain.  The Rock and Illinois Rivers in Illinois and the Kankakee River in northern Indiana will continue to be at moderate flood stage for the next 24 to 48 hours; a Flood Warning is in effect until further notice.  Northern Ohio will likely have sleet and freezing rain.  Snow accumulations in Missouri and southern Michigan may reach six inches or more.
The Platte and Grand Rivers in Missouri and the Poteau River in Oklahoma are forecasted to remain at moderate flood stage for the next 24 to 48 hours; a Flood Warning is in effect through Wednesday, March 5, 2008.  Light rain and snow showers will fall over the northern Plains. 
High temperatures will range from the 20s across the upper Mississippi Valley and northern Great Lakes to the 60s in southwest Kansas.  Most areas around the Great Lakes will see the upper 20s and low 30s.

South:
A low and associated frontal system will produce widespread precipitation and severe weather across much of the Region.  Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely across northern Alabama, Tennessee,  Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and parts of southern Virginia.  There have already been preliminary reports of two tornadoes in Mississippi; one near Cary in Sharkey county and one near Saucier in Harrison county.  Wind Advisories have been issued for Alabama, extreme northern Georgia, central and eastern Tennessee and the far western portion of Virginia through midday.  The advisory calls for winds 20 to 30 mph gusting to 45 mph.  There will be some heavy rainfall totals across parts of northern Mississippi, western Tennessee and Kentucky.  Heavy wet snow is likely to spread from Arkansas in the morning to western Tennessee and northern Mississippi by evening; however, most of the accumulating snow will be confined to the Ozarks.  Temperatures will range from the 30s across northern Arkansas to the 80s in Florida.

Northeast:
As the low with abundant moisture pushes northward into cold air the threat of freezing rain, with some ice accumulations, may occur over parts of the southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Upstate New York will see a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain.  Areas of Pennsylvania, where temperatures remain above freezing, will see heavy rainfall totaling one to two and a half inches.
Flood watches are in effect for most of Pennsylvania, southern New York and western New England. The flooding may be exacerbated by the snowpack acting as an impervious surface.  Rain will increase across the southern half of New England by this evening, while areas to the north may see a wintry mix of precipitation.  The Mid-Atlantic region may see a few strong to severe thunderstorms by this evening.
High temperatures are forecast to range from the 20s in far northern Maine and northern New York to the 70s in southeast Virginia. (NWS, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred at 10:44 a.m. EST, March 3, 2008, located 202 miles west-northwest of Bandon, Oregon), at a depth of 6.2 miles, with no report of damages or injuries were received.  No tsunami has been generated.  A second quake of 5.1 in the same general area was recorded at 10:49 am  (USGS/NEIC/WDC)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments for Public Assistance are on-going in Indiana for Allen, Benton, Clay, Greene, Huntington, Newton, Pulaski, Starke and White Counties as a result of the continuing flooding of January and February 2008. (FEMA HQ)