Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

West:
A Pacific storm system is forecast to bring winter weather to the Rockies and Great Plains beginning later today and extending through the week. Tonight moderate amounts of snow, as much as 6-12 inches, will impact portions of Utah, western Wyoming and the central Colorado mountains. Strong winds east of Denver, over the Plains, could cause significant blowing and drifting snow with blizzard conditions possible on Friday.

Midwest:
Warm temperatures are forecast to continue for the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys, extending into the North Central U.S. into Saturday. Some rain and thunderstorms will move into portions of Texas, Oklahoma and eastern Kansas late in the afternoon; heavier rain and a few thunderstorms will develop tonight. A strong storm developing over the Plains will bring the threat of locally heavy snowfall across northwestern Kansas and Nebraska tonight through early Saturday. Along with the snow some heavy rain and even a few severe thunderstorms will threaten portions of Kansas tonight and Friday.

South:
A few isolated showers and storms are possible along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Texas. Precipitation will likely exit the coast of North Carolina early in the day while the remainder of the Southeast is expected to remain dry. February temperatures are expected to remain mild across the Southern Plains. Red Flag warnings remain in effect across portions of southern New Mexico and south west Texas.

Northeast:
Rain showers will bring slight moisture to the Mid Atlantic states as a storm slowly moves off the coast; mostly cloudy and drier weather will prevail by the afternoon. Extremely warm conditions will come to an end across the Northeast as cooler air begins to arrive from Canada. Temperatures will reach into the teens and 20s across northern New England and northern New York; milder temperatures will extend from southern New England through the Mid-Atlantic States.

Space Weather:

No space weather storms were observed over the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.

Heightened Activity at Cleveland Volcano, Alaska:

Renewed eruptive activity of the Cleveland Volcano has been observed by satellite, prompting the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) to elevate the Aviation Color Code from Yellow to Orange (Alert Level: Watch). Orange is the second highest warning level in the four-color alert system, and indicates that the Cleveland Volcano is exhibiting “heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption”. The Cleveland Volcano is located along the east central Aleutians, about 940 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.

As of Monday, January 30, a new lava dome approximately 130 feet in diameter was observed in the summit crater. No ash emissions or explosive activity have been observed; however, it is possible for intermittent, sudden explosions of blocks and ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Minor eruptions and associated ash clouds of 15,000 feet occurred December 25 and 29, 2011. The most significant recent eruption took place in 2001, sending ash clouds as high as 39,000 feet. Hundreds of commercial flights and approximately 90 percent of air freight from Asia to Europe and North America that overfly Alaska could be impacted by an explosive, ash-producing event.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4052-DR-Alabama
Signed February 1, 2012, for the State of Alabama for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding that occurred January 22-23, 2012. Individual Assistance is designated for Chilton and Jefferson Counties, and all counties in the State of Alabama are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4053-DR-Utah
Signed February 1, 2012, for the State of Utah for a Severe Storm that occurred November 30 to December 1, 2011. Public Assistance is designated for Davis County, and all counties in the State of Utah are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Amendment # 5 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4042-DR-Virginia
Effective February 1, 2012, the amendment adds Albemarle and King George Counties for Individual Assistance.

Amendment #13 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4029-DR-Texas
Effective February 1, 2012, the amendment adds Bosque County for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance; Caldwell, Fayette and Grimes counties for emergency protective measures [Category B], including directed federal assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance); and 26 counties for emergency protective measures [Category B], including direct federal assistance.

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

 West:
A Pacific storm system is forecast to bring winter weather to the Rockies and Great Plains beginning later today and extending through the week. Tonight moderate amounts of snow, as much as 6-12 inches, will impact portions of Utah, western Wyoming and the central Colorado mountains. Strong winds east of Denver, over the Plains, could cause significant blowing and drifting snow with blizzard conditions possible on Friday.

Midwest:
Warm temperatures are forecast to continue for the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys, extending into the North Central U.S. into Saturday. Some rain and thunderstorms will move into portions of Texas, Oklahoma and eastern Kansas late in the afternoon; heavier rain and a few thunderstorms will develop tonight. A strong storm developing over the Plains will bring the threat of locally heavy snowfall across northwestern Kansas and Nebraska tonight through early Saturday. Along with the snow some heavy rain and even a few severe thunderstorms will threaten portions of Kansas tonight and Friday.

South:
A few isolated showers and storms are possible along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Texas. Precipitation will likely exit the coast of North Carolina early in the day while the remainder of the Southeast is expected to remain dry. February temperatures are expected to remain mild across the Southern Plains. Red Flag warnings remain in effect across portions of southern New Mexico and south west Texas.

Northeast:
Rain showers will bring slight moisture to the Mid Atlantic states as a storm slowly moves off the coast; mostly cloudy and drier weather will prevail by the afternoon. Extremely warm conditions will come to an end across the Northeast as cooler air begins to arrive from Canada. Temperatures will reach into the teens and 20s across northern New England and northern New York; milder temperatures will extend from southern New England through the Mid-Atlantic States. 

Space Weather:

No space weather storms were observed over the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. 

Heightened Activity at Cleveland Volcano, Alaska

 Renewed eruptive activity of the Cleveland Volcano has been observed by satellite, prompting the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) to elevate the Aviation Color Code from Yellow to Orange (Alert Level: Watch). Orange is the second highest warning level in the four-color alert system, and indicates that the Cleveland Volcano is exhibiting “heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption”. The Cleveland Volcano is located along the east central Aleutians, about 940 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.

As of Monday, January 30, a new lava dome approximately 130 feet in diameter was observed in the summit crater. No ash emissions or explosive activity have been observed; however, it is possible for intermittent, sudden explosions of blocks and ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Minor eruptions and associated ash clouds of 15,000 feet occurred December 25 and 29, 2011. The most significant recent eruption took place in 2001, sending ash clouds as high as 39,000 feet. Hundreds of commercial flights and approximately 90 percent of air freight from Asia to Europe and North America that overfly Alaska could be impacted by an explosive, ash-producing event.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4052-DR-Alabama
Signed February 1, 2012, for the State of Alabama for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding that occurred January 22-23, 2012. Individual Assistance is designated for Chilton and Jefferson Counties, and all counties in the State of Alabama are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4053-DR-Utah`
Signed February 1, 2012, for the State of Utah for a Severe Storm that occurred November 30 to December 1, 2011. Public Assistance is designated for Davis County, and all counties in the State of Utah are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Amendment # 5 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4042-DR-Virginia
Effective February 1, 2012, the amendment adds Albemarle and King George Counties for Individual Assistance.

Amendment #13 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4029-DR-Texas
Effective February 1, 2012, the amendment adds Bosque County for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance; Caldwell, Fayette and Grimes counties for emergency protective measures [Category B], including directed federal assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance); and 26 counties for emergency protective measures [Category B], including direct federal assistance. 

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

West:
Rain and high elevation snow is expected across the Pacific Northwest and northern California.  The system is expected to move to the east-southeast, reaching the Northern and Central Rockies by Thursday.

Midwest:
Skies will be mostly sunny across the Plains, with temperatures 15-20 degrees above average in most areas.  A few light rain showers are possible across portions of Kentucky and Ohio.  Late Thursday, snow will begin to increase across the Plains, from South Dakota to Kansas.

South:
Thunderstorms with locally heavy rain are possible today from the central Gulf coast northeastward to the southern Appalachians.  Rain is expected to be light to moderate over most areas, with some heavy rain possible near the Appalachians.  A threat for severe weather will exist across portions of the Southern Plains by late Thursday, as the system impacting the Rockies pushes east and begins to encounter increasing amounts of Gulf moisture.

Northeast:
Wintry precipitation is expected to continue today over northern New England.  Sleet and freezing rain will be likely over central New England, and northern Maine will see mostly snow.

Space Weather:

Space weather for the past 24 hours has been minor. Solar radiation storms reaching the S1 level occurred. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)