Episode 98
Protest Activity and Weather Hazards: A Comprehensive Overview
Today, we delve into the pressing weather conditions and their potential implications for various regions across the United States. Our primary focus is on the lingering impacts of winter storms and the severe cold affecting the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, while California grapples with localized marine advisories and air quality alerts. We shall explore the ongoing public protests linked to recent events, particularly highlighting the ramifications of anti-ice demonstrations in cities such as Minneapolis and Portland. Furthermore, we will address the hazardous commuting conditions posed by dense fog in the Central Valley and the continuing concerns surrounding black ice in North Carolina. As we navigate through these critical updates, our commitment to providing accurate and timely information remains paramount.
Takeaways:
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports ongoing winter storm impacts across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
- Residents in California are advised to be aware of localized marine advisories and air quality alerts due to environmental conditions.
- Protests related to anti-ice measures were widespread, potentially affecting travel and operations in various cities throughout the country.
- Minnesota is experiencing potential downtown delays due to intermittent protest activities following recent demonstrations in the state.
- Public safety communications may be impacted by a recent strong solar flare, necessitating monitoring for radio blackouts.
- North Carolina continues its post-storm recovery efforts, with hazardous conditions remaining on untreated roads due to black ice.
Sources
[NWS LOX | https://www.weather.gov/lox/]
[NWS Hanford | https://www.weather.gov/hnx/]
[NWS Marine (MTR/LOX) | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=mtr&wwa=all]
[LA Times (context) | https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-29/anti-ice-national-shutdown-protests-planned-in-la-county-heres-where]
[CBS Minnesota | https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/live-updates/nationwide-strike-ice-protest-operation-metro-surge-minnesota-don-lemon-arrested/]
[DHS NTAS | https://www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system]
[Washington Post | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/02/02/ice-protest-apartment-tenants-caught/]
[Washington Post | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/02/02/ice-protest-apartment-tenants-caught/]
[NWS Wilmington | https://www.weather.gov/media/ilm/DssPacket.pdf]
[NWS Charleston | https://www.weather.gov/chs/Jan31-Feb01-2026WinterStorm]
Transcript
Good morning.
Speaker A: ,: Speaker A:NOAA Hazards this morning are dominated by lingering winter storm impacts and dangerous cold across parts of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic, while California sees localized marine advisories and air quality alerts.
Speaker A:NWS Wilmington, NC's briefing highlights extreme cold and prior winter storm warnings affecting coastal north and South Carolina.
Speaker A:The Weather Prediction center has today's excessive rain outlook posted.
Speaker A:Overall low risk nationally with day two highlighting potential trouble spots.
Speaker A:Tuesday out west small craft advisories continue off portions of the California coast.
Speaker A:Inland dense TULA fog remains a commuting hazard in the Central Valley.
Speaker A:Space weather NOAA logged a strong x 8.1 solar flare late Sunday.
Speaker A:Radio blackouts are possible.
Speaker A:Monitor HF comms if applicable on public safety and demonstrations There is no new DHS National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin in the last 24 hours.
Speaker A:Current public bulletin remains older, however.
Speaker A:Weekend anti ice protests and strike actions were widespread and may continue to affect travel and operations today in some cities.
Speaker A:See state sections for local impacts.
Speaker A:Let's run through the states.
Speaker A:Southern California starts the week with a mandatory no burn air quality alert for Monday and patchy, dense morning fog in the San Joaquin Valley.
Speaker A:Slow down and use lights in low visibility.
Speaker A:Marine small craft advisories persist for segments of the central and southern coastal waters.
Speaker A:Hazardous seas expected.
Speaker A:Expect unseasonably warm afternoons mid week in many urban areas which can elevate early season wildfire readiness tasks even if fuels are damp.
Speaker A:Monitor local Red flag criteria no DHS protest related closures are listed by DHS itself, but LA area media reported weekend actions Agencies should check city advisories for any residual traffic impacts.
Speaker A:Minnesota Following Friday's large anti ice demonstrations in Minneapolis and statewide, expect intermittent protest activity and potential downtown delays near government buildings today.
Speaker A:Organizers signal ongoing actions after fatal shooting investigations tied to federal operations.
Speaker A:DHS has not posted a fresh NTAS update in the past 24 hours.
Speaker A:Oregon In Portland, a lawsuit filed by residents of an apartment complex adjacent to an ice office alleges federal crowd control tactics during protests caused injuries and disruption.
Speaker A:While not an operational closure, it signals continued protest sensitivity around the facility this week.
Speaker A:North Carolina Post Storm Recovery continues after the January 30th February 1st winter event.
Speaker A:NWS Wilmington's latest packet underscores dangerous cold this morning with earlier winter storm and gale headlines along the coast.
Speaker A:Black ice and hard refreeze remain risks on untreated roads.
Speaker A:Southeast South Carolina deals with the same storm's very cold morning temps.
Speaker A:Prior gale conditions offshore and residual slick spots inland.
Speaker A:All other states have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.
Speaker A:That's the EMN Morning Brief for Monday, February 2nd.
Speaker A:We'll continue to track any protest related disruptions and evolving weather hazards through the day.
Speaker A:Stay safe.
