The National Weather Service (NWS) draft Strategic Plan is ready for public comment. The plan provides the strategic framework that will guide the NWS over the next ten years. With this plan the NWS will meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. We will continue to deliver today's mission while we expand to meet the growing needs of the country. The plan is linked to NOAA's Next Generation Strategic Plan and is the result of a collaborative endeavor among employees, NOAA and NWS management, and private sector, research and operations partners.

The NWS Climate Prediction Center released its seasonal drought outlook for the period from August through October. The outlook indicates already dry conditions across some parts of Arizona and New Mexico are likely to worsen in coming months. This forecast is based in part on the current transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific.

At 400 PM CDT the center of the remnant low associated with former Tropical Depression Bonnie was located about 100 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Maximum sustained winds are barely 30 MPH with higher gusts in a few squalls. The low is expected to dissipate tonight or sunday. This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system.

At 1100 AM EDT the center of newly formed Tropical Depression Three was located about 405 miles east-southeast of Key Largo Florida. Movement is toward the west-northwest near 15 MPH. The depression could become a tropical storm later today.

The NWS is undertaking research on how satisfied you are with our products and services and would appreciate your feedback.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports a Magnitude 3.6 earthquake occured Friday morning at 05:04: AM with the epicenter 10 miles northwest of Rockville, Maryland or 15 miles east-northeast of Leesburg, Virginia, and 20 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.

Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena- lightning. In the United States, an average of 58 people are killed each year by lightning.

Tropical Depression Two is expected to move farther inland across the high terrain of northern Mexico and dissipate by later today or tonight.

The remnants of Alex are expected to produce additional rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across portions of northern and central Mexico. Isolated storm-total amounts of 20 inches are possible over the higher elevations of northeastern Mexico.

The FCC needs to hear directly from all interested parties by June 28, 2010, regarding impacts of the proposed sharing of the 1675-1710 MHz frequency band with wireless broadband systems. This frequency band includes all of NOAA's direct GOES and POES satellite broadcast service spectrum including EMWIN, imagery and data.

The U.S. Army Signal Corps was formed on June 21, 1860. The first federal weather service in the U.S. was formed as part of the Army Signal Corps in 1870 and later became the U.S. Weather Bureau (1891) and, eventually, the National Weather Service (1970).

At 1:41 PM EDT, the US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 5.5 earthquake with the epicenter 24 miles north of Cumberland, Ontario Canada. People have reported feeling the earthquake across New England and as far west as Wisconsin.

NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration is on-scene at the site of the BP/Transocean's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. NOAA provides scientific expertise like running oil spill trajectory models and advises on marine life and resources at risk.

In an effort to heighten public awareness of rip currents at surf beaches, each year NOAA designates the first full week of June as national Rip Current Awareness Week, coinciding with the traditional start of the summer vacation season.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has issued its monthly El Nino/Southern Oscillation discussion, which also includes a La Nina Watch. This indicates that La Nina--a cooling of Equatorial Pacific Ocean waters--is expected during the next three months. This could enhance the strength of the Atlantic hurricane season.

An "active to extremely active" hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane Preparedness Week during 2010 will be held May 23rd through May 29th.

NOAA's State of the Climate report shows the April 2010 average temperature for the contiguous United States was 54.3 degrees F, which is 2.3 degrees F above the long-term (1901-2000) average (14th warmest April on record). April's average precipitation was 2.18 inches, 0.25 inch below the 1901-2000 average.

Tuesday's weather conditions prevented vessel skimming and in-situ burning operations. Sea conditions are expected to moderate over the course of the week and marine operations are expected to recommence. Also, NOAA Fisheries announced modifications to the area closed to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico due to the oil spill. More than 93 percent of the Gulf's federal waters remain open for fishing, and supporting productive fisheries and tourism.

NOAA's State of the Climate report shows the March 2010 average temperature for the entire contiguous United States was warmer-than-average with several New England states experiencing one of the warmest March's on record. Average precipitation for the U.S. was below normal, but heavy rainfall set March records in parts of the Northeast.

Fifty years ago today, the world's first weather satellite , known as TIROS-1 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite), lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida and opened a new and exciting dimension in weather forecasting.

This experiment is intended to explore methods to increase dissemination and availability of NWS information and to allow consolidation of several existing email dissemination systems and reduce duplication of effort within the agency.

Over 50 reports of severe weather were received over the weekend, mostly on Sunday across parts of the southeastern United States. Several injuries were reported in North Carolina. Severe weather is possible Monday across parts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, far southern Virginia and across parts of southern Florida.

Tsunami Awareness Week Message from President Obama: "During this week, we pay tribute to those lost and recommit ourselves to preparing our shores and protecting our citizens."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program have designated March 21-27 as Tsunami Awareness Week. This designation comes in the wake of last month's tsunami in Chile and less than six months after a tsunami hit American Samoa, both events resulting in loss of life and property.

Quelle: NOAA

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over most of Montana, western North Dakota, extreme northwestern South Dakota, extreme northwestern Wyoming, northern Idaho, northeastern Oregon and extreme southeastern Washington. Yesterday 14 reports of severe weather were received with the most in Missouri. No tornadoes were reported.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over western Iowa, northwestern Missouri, extreme northeastern Kansas, eastern Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota. Over 70 reports of severe weather were received on Thursday, mostly across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northern Plains. No tornadoes were reported. Minor damage to windows, crops, and vehicles resulted from large hail in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Numerous trees and power lines were reported down across the affected areas.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over western North Dakota, a large portion of South Dakota, extreme north central Nebraska and Eastern Montana. Yesterday, there were 96 reports of severe weather. One tornado was reported near Hinsdale, Montana. Wind and hail reports were primarily from the eastern and southern Great Lakes Region, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho and Montana.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across across the Midwest and lower Great Lakes vicinity. Severe thunderstorms are also possible across the northern Intermountain Region and Rockies. Yesterday, there were over 100 reports. No tornadoes were reported. Wind and hail reports were concentrated in South Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across across the upper Midwest and upper Great Lakes. Severe thunderstorms are also possible across the southern Appalachians into the Carolinas. Yesterday, there were 150 reports of severe weather including ten tornadoes in North Dakota, Montana, Utah and Tennessee. Two fatalities and one injury were reported from a tornado in Sheridan County, Montana. Wind and Hail reports were scattered from the Carolinas westward into eastern Texas, and the Northern Plains.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across portions of North Dakota and northern Minnesota. Yesterday, there were over 150 reports of severe weather. No tornadoes were reported but winds through much of the mid-Atlantic region caused three deaths. In Millersville, Pennsylvania, a woman was electrocuted by downed wires. In Sterling, Virgina, a boy was killed by a falling tree branch. Winds toppled a tree onto a minivan, killing a woman in Beltsville, Maryland.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms from the southern parts of the Ohio Valley through the Mid-Atlantic states. Yesterday, there were 96 reports of severe weather including four tornadoes in New York and Pennsylvania. Wind and Hail reports were primarily from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois Missouri and Kansas.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms from eastern Kansas through the middle Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and Northeastern states. Yesterday, there were over 150 reports of severe weather including seven tornadoes in South Dakota, Iowa and Florida. Wind and Hail reports were primarily scattered along a line from Massachusetts through the lower Great Lakes and into Iowa and South Dakota.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms from the central and northern Plains eastward through the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Northeastern States. Severe thunderstorms are also possible over southern Florida. Yesterday, there were 80 reports of severe weather including sixteen tornadoes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana. No injuries or significant damage was reported.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over a portion of the central and northern Plains through the upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes. Yesterday, there were 280 reports of severe weather including four tornadoes, one each in Illinois, Connecticut, Maine, and Wyoming. Wind and hail reports were primarily from New England, South Carolina and scattered across the northern and central Plains.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the central and northern Appalachian mountains, mid-Atlantic and New England. An additional area with the potential of severe thunderstorms exists across parts of the middle Mississippi and middle Missouri Valleys, central and northern Plains, Black Hill Region and northern High Plains. Yesterday, there were 164 reports of severe weather including three tornadoes, one each in Indiana, North Carolina and West Virginia. Wind and hail reports were primarily from Virgina, North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin and North Dakota.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the central Plains middle Missouri middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. An additional area with a potential of severe thunderstorms exists across parts of the central and northern High Plains. Yesterday, there were 225 reports of severe weather including eight tornadoes in Missouri. Wind and hail reports were primarily from New England and from the middle Mississippi Valley into the northern High Plains.

There is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of Iowa, northeaster Nebraska and far southeast South Dakota. A slight risk of severe thunderstorms surrounds this area and extends across the northern and central Plains, upper Midwest and middle Mississippi Valley. Additional areas with a potential of severe thunderstorms exist over southern New England and the Hudson and Delaware River Valleys along with parts of the northern High Plains. Yesterday, there were 112 reports of severe weather including two tornadoes in michigan and one each in Wisconsin and Colorado.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of eastern Wyoming and northeastern Colorado northeastward to western Nebraska and South Dakota.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms from North Dakota and Minnesota southwestward into southern Wyoming and Nebraska. Yesterday, there were 38 reports of severe weather received including two tornadoes with one in Nebraska, and one in Texas.

Severe thunderstorms are possible across North and South Dakota and eastern Montana Friday. Flash flooding is possible across the southern half of Texas, especially along the Rio Grande Valley. Severe weather reports were widely scattered across eastern Montana with isolated reports in northeast Wyoming and southeast Texas Thursday. Three tornadoes were also reported Thursday: two in south Texas along the Gulf Coast and one in Montana. No fatalities, injuries, or significant damage was noted.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across the northern High Plains. Severe thunderstorms are also possible over portions of southern Texas associated with Hurricane Alex. Yesterday, there were 51 reports of severe weather received including six tornadoes with one in Montana, and the rest in Texas associated with the landfalling hurricane.

There is a high risk of severe thunderstorms today over portions of southeastern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, Mississippi and central and northern Alabama. A moderate risk of severe thunderstorms surrounds this area from portions of eastern Texas to central and northern Louisiana Alabama, western Georgia Tennessee, southern and central Kentucky, extreeme southeastern Missouri and central, southern and eastern Arkansas. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms surrounding the moderate risk, from the Gulf Coast of southeastern Texas to portions of the lower Missouri Valley to portions of West Virgina and Ohio to the Florida Panhandle. Yesterday, there were 117 reports of severe weather including eight reports of tornadoes in Colorado, Arkansas, and Missouri. Power outages, minor structural damages and numerous trees down were included in the reports.

Over 60 reports of hail and high winds occurred primarily along a line from northeastern Iowa to central Oklahoma. Winds up to 80 MPH caused roof and shingle damage, a blown over shed, pushed a trampoline through a fence, and brought down trees and power lines. No organized areas of severe thunderstorms are expected today.

Severe weather is possible today across the central and southern Plains and the lower and middle Mississippi River Valleys.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms today over portions of Arkansas. No reports of severe weather were received yesterday.

Severe thunderstorms are possible across much of Mississippi and western Alabama today.

Yesterday, 105 severe weather reports were received including 4 tornadoes in Arkansas and 1 tornado in Louisiana. Three major tornado related injuries were reported in Cleburne County Arkansas in the community of Pearson, where houses were also reported as badly damaged. In White County Arkansas near the community of Center Hill, one tornado related injury was reported with nine homes in the area damaged. Today, there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys, and over much of Florida.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the lower Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and southern Plains states. Storm development is expected along and ahead of the front from southeastern Kansas through eastern Oklahoma and into northeastern Texas by mid to late afternoon.

Two tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma and one tornado touched down causing damage including 5 homes reported destroyed in addition to the county barn. The Sheriff reported significant debris being left behind, power lines down, and highway 34 was closed for a time due to debris. Today, heavy snow is possible across western parts of Nebraska, and South Dakota, but no organized areas of severe thunderstorms are forecast.

Quelle: NOAA

An area of low pressure developing over the northern Leeward Islands could become a tropical depression and has the potential to develop into a tropical storm. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds will continue to affect the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and likely affect the Dominican Republic, Haiti, eastern Cuba, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas during the next couple of days. The heavy rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides in mountainous areas.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane Preparedness Week during 2010 will be held May 23rd through May 29th.

A non-tropical low pressure system centered about 500 miles south-southwest of Bermuda is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean along with gale-force winds. This low is expected to move slowly toward the north-northwest and has some potential to gradually acquire subtropical or tropical characteristics during the next couple of days. There is a medium chance, 30 percent, of this system becoming a subtropical or tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended Monday, marking the close of a season with the fewest named storms and hurricanes since 1997 thanks, in part, to El Niño.

NOAA forecasters say a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. However, as with any season, the need to prepare for the possibility of a storm striking near you is essential. Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).

Today marks the first day of the eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season, which will run until November 30. Long-term annual averages in this area are 15 Tropical Storms and 9 Hurricanes.

NOAA hurricane experts will visit five East Coast cities aboard a NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft to raise awareness about storm threats and the danger of being caught without a personal hurricane plan. The five-day tour begins May 4 with visits to Newington, N.H., Farmingdale, N.Y., Raleigh, N.C., Wilmington, N.C., and Key West, Fla. The public and media are invited to tour the aircraft and speak with the team.

A well-defined extratropical low pressure system centered about 225 miles southeast of the South Carolina-North Carolina border is moving west-northwestward at 5 to 10 MPH. Showers and thunderstorms are gradually becoming better organized and this system could develop into a subtropical or tropical cyclone before the system moves inland along the along the southeastern U.S. coast on Friday. Regardless of whether or not this system becomes a subtropical or tropical cyclone, strong winds, coastal flooding, high surf, and dangerous rip currents will continue along portions of the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. coastal regions during the next couple of days.

NOAA aircraft are conducting aerial damage survey flights along the Texas coast after Hurricane Ike made landfall. The imagery was acquired by the National Geodetic Survey Remote Sensing Division to support NOAA's national security and emergency response requirements. In addition, it will be used for ongoing research efforts for testing and developing standards for airborne digital imagery.

The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center has issued the last advisory on the remnant low that was Ike.

Web Widgets are small pieces of code that can be embedded and used on any other Web page. The widgets allow you to track active Tropical Storms and Hurricanes from your Web page, with content provided by NOAA. The widgets will update as NOAA updates information.

In the August update to the Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season and has raised the total number of named storms and hurricanes that may form.

Satellite imagery and surface observations indicate that a low pressure area has formed in the northern Gulf of Mexico about 150 miles south of Pensacola Florida. Environmental conditions are marginally favorable for additional development and a tropical depression could form during the next day or so as the system moves towards the west. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the area this afternoon. Interests in the northwestern Gulf Of Mexico should monitor the progress of this system.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center today announced that projected climate conditions point to a near normal or above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this year. Hurricane season officially begins in the Atlantic on June 1.

A team of scientists have found that the economic damages from hurricanes have increased in the U.S. over time due to greater population, infrastructure, and wealth on the U.S. coastlines, and not to any spike in the number or intensity of hurricanes.

Quelle: NOAA