Episode 83
Critical Alerts for Multiple States
The principal focus of this morning's briefing is the severe weather conditions impacting various regions across the United States, including blizzard warnings in Alaska and flood watches in Alabama and Mississippi. I commence by outlining the alarming forecasts, which predict whiteout conditions and gusts of wind reaching up to 65 miles per hour in parts of Alaska, while Western New York is bracing for similar high wind warnings. Furthermore, central Alabama and southwest Mississippi are under flood watches due to anticipated heavy rainfall, with projections of up to four inches, potentially leading to flash flooding. Additionally, I address the postponement of the reopening of FEMA's Bethel Assistance Hub, which has been delayed once more due to adverse weather conditions. Lastly, I highlight the recent magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Adak, Alaska, as part of the ongoing situational updates.
Takeaways:
- Blizzard warnings are currently in effect in parts of Alaska, predicting severe weather conditions.
- Western New York is experiencing high wind warnings, which pose risks to travel and infrastructure.
- Flood watches have been issued for central Alabama and southwest Mississippi due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
- Minnesota's governor has mobilized the National Guard in response to local law enforcement needs for safety.
- California is under wind advisories and freeze warnings, indicating hazardous conditions across various regions.
- Wisconsin faces potential flooding as heavy rain interacts with an existing deep snowpack.
Sources
[NWS Birmingham | https://www.weather.gov/bmx/]; [NWS Flood Watch text | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=flood+watch]
[NWS Alaska WWA | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=AKZ948&product1=Blizzard+Warning]
[FEMA Bethel Hub update | https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260108/reopening-bethel-assistance-hub-postponed-due-inclement-weather]
[USGS M4.0 Adak | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000rnm4]
[NWS San Diego WWA text | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=wind+advisory]
[NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard WWA text | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=wind+advisory]
[MN Governor | https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-719092]
[City of Minneapolis | https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2026/january/jan-7-statement/]
[NWS Jackson (MS) Flood Watch text | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=flood+watch]
[NWS ABQ AFD & watches/warnings | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=ci&glossary=1&issuedby=ABQ&product=AFD&site=NWS&version=1]
[NWS Winter Storm Warning text | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NMZ206&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning]
[NWS Buffalo High Wind Warning | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?product1=High+Wind+Warning&warnzone=NYZ011]
[NWS State College (CTP) WWA text | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=ctp&wwa=all]
[NWS Green Bay Flood Watch text | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=flood+watch]
[AP | https://apnews.com/article/5eeffe06106f711b8a17f6072ad9b53d]
[KATU/WLOS | https://wlos.com/news/nation-world/protests-outside-portland-ice-facility-after-federal-agent-shoots-injures-2-people]
Transcript
A quick national situational picture Blizzard warnings are up in parts of Alaska today into the weekend with whiteout conditions and 50-65 mph gusts forecast along portions of the Richardson and Parks highways.
Speaker A:Western New York is under a high wind warning with gusts to 60 miles per hour that could down trees and power lines and make travel difficult for high profile vehicles in the South.
Speaker A:Flood watches are posted for central Alabama and southwest Mississippi where 2 to 4 inches of rain locally higher could trigger flash flooding.
Speaker A:Wisconsin is also watching rain on deep snowpack for rapid runoff issues.
Speaker A:FEMA says the Bethel Assistance Hub in Alaska, slated to reopen this week is postponed again due to weather and the USGS reports a magnitude 4.0 earthquake near Adak, Alaska early today.
Speaker A:Let's run through the states.
Speaker A:Alabama A flood watch covers much of central Alabama through noon Saturday as a slow moving boundary brings repeated rounds of heavy rain.
Speaker A:Expect 2 to 4 inches with locally 5 inches which could cause flash flooding on roads and in low lying spots.
Speaker A:Blizzard warnings run from this afternoon through Sunday evening for portions of the Interior and Alaska Range.
Speaker A:Richardson highway near Black Rapids and Parks highway near Cantwell where 2 to 18 inches of snow combine with 50 to 65 mile per hour gusts and whiteouts.
Speaker A:Separately.
Speaker A:FEMA says the Bethel Assistance Hub reopening is postponed again due to weather.
Speaker A:The individual assistance deadline remains febber 20th.
Speaker A:USGS also notes a magnitude 4.0 quake near Adak this morning.
Speaker A:California Gusty offshore winds persist across portions of Southern California.
Speaker A:Wind advisories remain in effect for mountain passes, inland valleys and the Santa Ana Mountains foothills with gusts 35-55 mph and locally higher through the weekend.
Speaker A:A freeze warning is also in effect this morning for parts of the Antelope Valley.
Speaker A:Minnesota governor Tim Walz has authorized the Minnesota National Guard to stage and be ready to support local law enforcement out of an abundance of caution.
Speaker A:The City of Minneapolis also reiterated protest rules lawful assembly allowed blocking roads, violence not allowed.
Speaker A:Mississippi Flood watch is in effect for portions of southwest Mississippi from 4am today through this evening with multiple rounds of heavy rain.
Speaker A:Possible 2 to 4 inches could fall with quick rises on creeks and urban flooding where drainage is poor.
Speaker A:New Mexico Winter storm warnings continue today for several mountain zones including the Sangre de Cristo and Jimez Ranges.
Speaker A:Snow, blowing snow and reduced visibility will make mountain passes hazardous through this evening.
Speaker A:New York High wind warning is in effect 7am to 10pm for Niagara Orleans, Monroe, northern Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
Speaker A:Southwest gusts up to 60 miles per hour could bring scattered power outages and downed limbs.
Speaker A:Oregon after two people were shot and wounded by federal agents Thursday, protests formed outside the I Cease facility.
Speaker A:State and city officials urged calm while investigations proceed.
Speaker A:Pennsylvania Central Pennsylvania is under a high wind warning through 10pm south to southwest.
Speaker A:Winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph made down trees and lines.
Speaker A:Wisconsin Flood watch continues today for portions of northeast and central Wisconsin.
Speaker A:Heavy rain falling on a deep, primed snowpack could accelerate runoff and push some rivers toward action stages.
Speaker A:All other states have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.
Speaker A:That's the latest as of this morning, January 9th.
Speaker A:Source links are in the show notes below.
Speaker A:Stay safe.
