Monday, November 16, 2009

Elevated Weather Alerts for Oregon

Today the National Weather Service has elevated the weather alerts for the incoming storm. There are more than a dozen alerts, and you can see them at http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/or.php?x=1

Here are the highlights:

▪ Surf advisory with breaker heights as high as 25-28 feet. Storm surge combined with the near-maximum lunar high tide will cause beach erosion and riptides farther inland then normal.
▪ Coastal winds 45-55MPH with gusts up to 85 MPH. Winds have already been reported to 80+MPH in certain areas.
▪ Inland winds are expected to be 25-35 MPH with gusts up to 45 MPH.
▪ Rainfall of 3-5 inches in northwest Oregon near the Willapa hills and North Oregon Coast Range.
▪ The Nehalem River is under flood watch, as well as urban streams in the northwest corner of Oregon.
▪ Oregon Coast is under flood watch due to heavy rains

Coastal Storm / High Wind Warning

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for the Oregon coast, cascades, and eastern Oregon. Winds are expected to gust up to 40 MPH, with gusts up to 60 MPH on Monday night. The following warning covers the Oregon coast-line:

HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM PST TUESDAY FOR THE SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTH OREGON COAST... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM PST TUESDAY MORNING. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. DISTURBANCES MOVING ALONG A NEARLY STALLED FRONTAL BOUNDARY OFFSHORE WILL ALLOW SOUTH WINDS TO PICK UP AT TIMES TONIGHT AND MONDAY. THE FIRST ROUND OF STRONGER WINDS WILL ARRIVE LATER TONIGHT...WITH ANOTHER ROUND EXPECTED EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON. LATER THIS EVENING...SOUTH WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN TO 25 TO 40 MPH...WITH 35 TO 45 MPH ON THE OPEN BEACHES AND HEADLANDS. WINDS GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT AND MONDAY...WITH GUSTS OF 65 TO 80 MPH ON THE OPEN BEACHES AND HEADLANDS. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL STRIKE THE NORTH OREGON AND SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST MONDAY NIGHT. A VERY DEEP LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL DEVELOP OFFSHORE LATE MONDAY...AND PASS OFFSHORE OF THE NORTH OREGON COAST MONDAY EVENING AS IT MOVES TOWARDS BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL MOVE ONSHORE LATE MONDAY NIGHT. EXPECT SOUTH WINDS TO INCREASE AGAIN MONDAY EVENING...WITH SUSTAINED SOUTH WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH...AND GUSTS OF 65 TO 80 MPH. HOWEVER...ON THE OPEN BEACHES AND HEADLANDS...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 85 TO 95 MPH ARE LIKELY. WINDS WILL EASE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PRESSURE MOVES FURTHER AWAY FROM THE REGION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

There is a wind / weather watch over the Cascades and Eastern Oregon, as temperatures drop and the cold air moves through. There is a possibility of light freezing rain. Here is the alert:

THIS WILL PRODUCE BREEZY CONDITIONS FOR THE AREA THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON. AN UPPER TROUGH WILL CONTINUE TO DIG SOUTH TOWARDS THE EASTERN PACIFIC THROUGH TONIGHT. STRONG SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT WILL KEEP SKIES MOSTLY CLOUDY. MEANWHILE LOW LEVEL MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE WEST OF THE CASCADES. THIS MOISTURE WILL AFFECT THE CASCADE CREST REGION AND THE CASCADE EAST SLOPES...ESPECIALLY IN WASHINGTON THROUGH TONIGHT. SNOW LEVELS WILL RISE TONIGHT...EXPECTING RAIN TO BECOME THE MAIN TYPE OF PRECIPITATION. HOWEVER...THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME LOCAL LIGHT FREEZING RAIN IF COLD AIR REMAINS TRAPPED IN SOME VALLEYS.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Storm could bring snow to Coast Range

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/article_f88cf156-cf1e-11de-9f5b-001cc4c03286.html

Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:30 am

Ready or not, here comes winter.

A series of storms forecast to hit the state this week could bring snow to the Coast Range and will likely soak the Willamette Valley.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement Wednesday for the foothills of the Cascade and Coast ranges. According to the agency, three different storm systems are expected to hit the region in the next three days.

The first arrived Wednesday, bringing rain to Corvallis and snow flurries to the Cascades.

The next storm was predicted to move in Wednesday night and this morning, with the last following tonight and Friday.

Though most snow accumulation - 1 to 3 feet - is expected in higher elevations, snow levels could drop to between 1,500 and 2,500 feet tonight and Friday.

The Corvallis-area forecast calls for rain today and Friday, with highs of about 48 degrees.

Lows will drop to the mid-30s tonight and Friday night.

There is a chance of rain Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's high is expected to be in the low 50s.

The snow forecast for the mountains is good news for ski resorts.

Just two Oregon ski areas are currently open: Timberline Lodge and Mount Hood Meadows. Neither is operating all lifts.

Other ski areas that have announced anticipated opening dates are Hoodoo (Nov. 27), Mount Bachelor (Nov. 20) and Anthony Lakes (Nov. 27).

Anyone planning to drive over mountain passes this week should be prepared for winter conditions. Carry chains, extra clothing, and food and water.

To check road conditions, see www.tripcheck .com.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON ADOPTION OF TSUNAMI SIREN SIGNALSPosted

November 12th, 2009 10:30 AM

Public hearings to adopt a uniform tsunami warning siren will be held this week in two coastal areas, announced Oregon Emergency Management today.

A team of specialists has been working on providing uniform, timely and accurate tsunami warning/notification to residents, employees and visitors along Oregon's coast. Based on Oregon Senate Bill 557, Section 2 the uniform tsunami warning signal administrative rules must specify type of signal, duration of signal, volume of signal and location of delivery device.

The work team has reviewed existing research and best practices on tsunami warning systems and decided on a uniform state standard that provides the necessary consistency to reduce potential conflicts and confusion. The objective of the tsunami statutes and implementing rules is to reduce the risk of loss of life.

Oregon Emergency Management is named as the responsible State Agency for carrying out the Administrative Rule development.

The first hearing will be held November 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the North Bend Community Health Education Center (CHEC), 2950 Sherman Avenue.

The second hearing will be held November 14 from 3 to 5p.m. at the Tillamook 9-1-1 Center, Stan Sheldon Board Room, 2311 Third Street.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Eastern Oregon Driving conditions

ODOT/Eastern Oregon: Watch for Black Ice - Numerous crashes have occurred in the Baker County area due to motorists losing control on black ice. Motorists are advised to drive with extra caution on the freeway and other roadways due to hazardous driving condition.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Veteran's Day - a FEMA salute to our servicemen and women

FEMA Salutes our Veterans Our nation's servicemen and women are among our best and brightest, during times of peace or war, serving with honor under the most difficult circumstances and making sacrifices for their country.

Our nation sets aside November 11th each year to honor the... nation's 23 million living veterans and the generations before them who fought to defend our freedom. I want to take this opportunity to recognize the thousands of veterans over the past 30 years who elected to continue serving their country by joining the FEMA team.

President Obama issued a proclamation in honor of the holiday that specifically mentioned the important work of this group of veterans. He said, “We also pay tribute to all who have worn the uniform and continue to serve their country as civilians. Many veterans act as coaches, teachers, and mentors in their communities, selflessly volunteering their time and expertise.” In addition, I applaud the many members of the FEMA family who also continue to serve in the National Guard and Reserves.

Whether serving in uniform or serving as a member of the FEMA team, these individuals share the goals of protecting our nation and loved ones from harms way. We acknowledge their contributions to our national security, and underscore the fact that ALL who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.We also recognize and salute the many active duty service members and veterans in our partner agencies in federal, state, local and tribal organizations that share our emergency management goals. I know each of us, whether a veteran or not, knows a colleague who is a veteran.

I encourage you to recognize their valor and sacrifice in honor of Veteran’s Day. I urge you to begin with a simple, “thank you for your service.”Please visit our veteran’s tribute page at: http://www.fema.gov/about/veteransday/index.shtm and the Administrator’s video message at: http://online.fema.net