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National Situation Update: Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A storm system is forecast to move through the Pacific Northwest Coast today, producing heavy rain and the possibility of flooding from the Cascade Mountains west to the coast.  Higher elevations in Washington may see up to 8 inches of rain.  Significant rain may fall over parts of Oregon as well, and rain should taper off later today.  Lighter amounts of rain will spread through eastern Washington, Idaho, and western Montana.  Flood Watches and Advisories in effect for several counties in northwest Oregon and northwest Washington.  Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the northern mountains of Utah and the Wind River Mountains.  A Pacific storm system will bring moderate to heavy snow and very strong winds to these areas through late tonight.  A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for portions of western Wyoming until 1:00 p.m. EST today.  High Wind Watches are in effect for southeast Wyoming and northeast Colorado; High Wind Warnings are in effect for several counties in central Montana.
Midwest:
A system moving through the region will bring a mixture of rain and snow showers over the Midwest and Ohio Valley today.  Parts of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin may also see light snow mixed with rain.  A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for central Wisconsin for mixed precipitation in the form of freezing rain, sleet and snow until 10:00 a.m. CST today.  A Winter Storm Advisory is in effect for the Great Lakes until 1:00 p.m. EST today.
South:
A slow moving cold front is forecast to bring showers and thunderstorms to the Tennessee Valley, Lower Mississippi Valley and Texas Coast. Some storms may produce heavy rain and gusty winds.
Flood Warnings and Watches are in effect for portions of Louisiana and southeast Texas.
Northeast:
A high pressure system will bring warm dry weather to much of the Northeast.(NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Area 1 (remnant of TD Paloma) - Low Probability of Formation
A weak area of low pressure located near the southern coast of central Cuba is moving west-southwest at 15 mph.  Shower activity is limited and redevelopment of this system is not expected due to strong upper-level winds.

Area 2
An area of low pressure located about 800 miles southwest of the Azores is producing a small area of showers and thunderstorms. Upper-level winds are expected to increase during the next day or so and development of this system is not expected.

Eastern Pacific:
No tropical cyclone formation is expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings.(NOAA, HPC,  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)