Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >

The remnants of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating hurricanes in recent memory, moved over the Tennessee Valley during the evening of Monday, August 29, and the morning of Tuesday, August 30. Damage from the storm was mainly limited to trees and power lines, with some minor structural damage. The storm's main impact was felt in Louisiana and Mississippi, where it may be quite some time before affected areas can recover. Peak wind gusts across the Tennessee Valley were "officially" in the 40-50 mph range, though there was an unofficial report of a 70 mph gust from Albertville (Marshall County). Rainfall varied widely across the area, but higher rainfall totals were found closest to the storm track across northwest Alabama. Rainfall reports ranged from 6.85 inches in Russellville (Franklin County Alabama) to zero in DeSoto State Park (DeKalb County).

Infrared satellite imagery shows Hurricane Katrina moving across southern Mississippi at 12:25pm Monday (click to enlarge the image in a new window).	Katrina's track across the Gulf of America, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Click to see a larger image along with more information (will open in its own window).

Rainfall analysis over the last 7 days, generated by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. The dark blues over Franklin County correspond to 6-inch rainfall amounts. Click the image to see a larger version across the entire lower Mississippi River Valley (will open in its own window).	The New Orleans, LA radar shows the eye of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in Plaquemines Parish early Monday morning. Click the image to see an animation of Katrina making landfall (4. 8 Mb Flash animation).

Additional Tennessee Valley Data 24-Hour Rainfall Totals from August 30th Wind Gust Reports from Official NWS Reporting Sites Local Storm Report Summary (as of August 31st) Katrina Post-Tropical Cyclone Report

Additional Katrina Information from NOAA National Climatic Data Center Katrina Summary Areal Damage Photographs from the Gulf Coast \| More Areal Photographs Photographs from Inside Katrina's Eye