Working with 10 nations to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and stem the bycatch of protected species

January 11, 2013

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Rush escorts the suspected high seas drift net fishing vessel Da Cheng in the North Pacific Ocean on August 14, 2012.

Download here. (Credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

As part of its overall efforts to ensure that the U.S. fishing industry isn’t undermined by unsustainable or illegal activities, NOAA today submitted a Congressionally mandated report identifying 10 nations whose fishing vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 2011 or 2012, or had ineffective measures to prevent the unintended catch of protected species in 2012.

IUU fishing undermines international efforts to sustainably manage and rebuild fisheries and creates unfair market competition for fishermen who adhere to strict conservation measures, like those in the United States. IUU fishing can devastate fish populations and their productive marine habitats, threatening food security and economic stability. Independent experts have estimated economic losses worldwide from IUU fishing to be between $10 billion and $23 billion annually.

“NOAA’s international fisheries work is critical to the economic viability of U.S. fishing communities and the protection of U.S. jobs,” said Russell Smith, NOAA deputy assistant secretary for international fisheries. “This is about leveling the playing field for fishermen around the world, and IUU fishing represents one of the biggest threats to the U.S. fishing industry. Seafood is a global business, and U.S. fishermen following the rules should not have to compete with those using illegal or unsustainable fishing practices.”

The IUU fishing vessel Taruman held 143 tons of illegally harvested Patagonian toothfish (Chilean sea bass).

Download here. (Credit: Australian Customs Service)

The U.S. will soon start consultations with each of the 10 nations — Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Italy, Mexico, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Tanzania, and Venezuela — to encourage them to take action to address IUU fishing and bycatch by their fishermen.

All 10 nations identified in this year’s report had vessels that did not comply in 2011 and/or 2012 with conservation and management measures required under a regional fishery management organization to which the United States is a party. Mexico was also identified for ineffective management of the bycatch of North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, which travel between Japan and Mexico through Hawaiian waters, and are endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

“As one of the largest importers of seafood in the world, the United States has a global responsibility and an economic duty to ensure the fish we import is caught sustainably and legally,” said Sam Rauch, deputy assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “We look forward to working with these nations to encourage their compliance, and we will continue to work with our partners to detect and combat illegal practices.”

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement Special Agent James Cassin conducts a video inventory of the fishing vessel Antillas Reefer in Maputo, Mozambique in 2008. These video inventories are conducted post-seizure to eliminate liability claims and identify all potential evidence on a vessel.

Download here. (Credit: NOAA)

All six of the nations identified in the previous 2011 Biennial Report to Congress (Colombia, Ecuador, Italy, Panama, Portugal, and Venezuela) have addressed the instances by taking strong actions like sanctioning vessels, adopting or amending laws and regulations, or improving monitoring and enforcement. Each of these six nations now has a positive certification for their 2011 identified activities. However, a nation positively certified for action taken since the last report may be listed again as engaged in IUU fishing if new issues are identified, as is the case in this report.

If a nation fails to take appropriate action to address the instances of illegal fishing or bycatch activities described in the report, that nation’s fishing vessels may be denied entry into U.S. ports, and imports of certain fish or fish products from that nation into the United States may be prohibited. The United States is second only to China in the amount of seafood it imports. NOAA’s latest figures showed that 91 percent of the 4.7 billion pounds of seafood consumed in the United States in 2011 was imported.

Today’s report is a requirement of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, as amended by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act and the Shark Conservation Act. To read the report, go to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia.

The report is prepared by NOAA Fisheries’ Office of International Affairs, which also works with the nations identified to resolve IUU issues. In addition, NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement works with foreign law enforcement and fisheries officials to investigate illegal trafficking, illegal imports, and IUU fishing, and it routinely partners with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard. NOAA Law Enforcement and the Coast Guard also work together to ensure that U.S.-flagged vessels are complying with the law.

The foreign fishing vessel Marshalls 201 runs from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Walnut in September 2006 while still in U.S. waters. After the vessel was stopped and boarded, U.S. Coast Guard personnel determined the Marshalls 201 did not possess the proper permits to fish within U.S. waters and contained approximately 500 metric tons of tuna on board. The vessel and catch were seized and escorted to Guam for prosecution. The owner pled to one count and paid a penalty of $500,000.

Download here. (Credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

Today, NOAA also issued final regulations to implement the international provisions of the Shark Conservation Act. These regulations specify the procedures for identifying and certifying nations whose vessels catch sharks on the high seas. They also amend the definition of IUU fishing to help ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing unsustainable fisheries activities of greatest concern to the United States.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels at social media channels.

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Report highlights climate change threats to nation’s estuaries

August 7, 2013

Report on Climate Sensitivity of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Full report. (Credit: NOAA)

The nation’s 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) are experiencing the negative effects of human and climate-related stressors according to a new NOAA research report from the National Ocean Service. 

The national study, Climate Sensitivity of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, points to three East Coast reserves, Sapelo Island NERR in Georgia, ACE Basin NERR in South Carolina and Waquoit Bay NERR in Massachusetts, and  the Tijuana River NERR on the California-Mexico border, as the most sensitive to climate change.

“The National Estuarine Research Reserves are uniquely positioned across the U.S. to assess ongoing climate change in our nation’s estuaries which is the degree to which the natural resources and the local communities who depend on them are affected by changing climate conditions,” said Dwight Trueblood, Ph.D. a co-author and NOAA program manager for the study. “This information is important to helping coastal managers and local community leaders make informed decisions about the best ways for coastal communities to adapt to climate change.”

Estuaries are places where rivers meet the sea, providing nursery habitat for fish and shellfish while buffering many coastal communities from the impacts of coastal storms and sea level rise. The climate exposure of each reserve provides first alarm indicators about the effects of climate change on the coastal ecosystems. Ongoing research at each of the reserves provides real-time data about how climate change impacts these important natural resources.

Almost 40 percent of all Americans, or about 123 million people, live in the counties directly along the shoreline and depend on these resources for food, jobs, storm protection, and recreation. Approximately 50 percent, or $6.6 trillion, of the nation’s gross domestic product comes from coastal watershed counties which support more than 51 million jobs.

Researchers determined the extent of relative climate sensitivity in the reserves by looking at five factors: social, biophysical, and ecological sensitivity, and exposure to temperature change and sea level rise.

Key Findings

Reserve ecological resilience was examined and the key underlying estuarine stressors were found to be toxic pollutants, storm impacts, invasive species, habitat fragmentation, sedimentation and shoreline erosion. The most frequently identified factors contributing to these stressors included residential development, land use, population growth, wastewater treatment and sea level rise.

High social sensitivity to climate change was indicated where there is higher employment within natural resource-dependent industries, lower per capita income and median home values, higher percentages of minority populations, and a higher percentage of individuals lacking a high school education.

Social sensitivity to climate change was generally highest in the southern portions of the East and West coasts of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.

Tijuana River NERR, California.

High resolution (Credit: Tijuana River NERR)

Biophysical sensitivity summarizes each reserve’s relationship between annual spring atmospheric temperature and rainfall data and water quality factors such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH.

Temperature change exposure risk was greatest for reserves located in the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions of the country, while reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, parts of the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, California, and Oregon showed the greatest risk of sea level rise exposure.

The study, funded by NOAA’s Climate Program Office, was conducted by a collaborative, interdisciplinary team of investigators from the University of Wisconsin, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, and Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management working with staff across the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.  For a digital copy of the full study is available online.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of 28 reserves that serve as “living laboratories” around the U.S. representing unique biogeographically diverse coastal ecosystems. Established under the Coastal Zone Management Act, the reserves are jointly managed by NOAA and the coastal states and territories for long-term research, ecosystems monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. Through integrated research and education, the reserves help communities develop strategies to deal successfully with coastal resource management issues such as water pollution, habitat restoration and climate change.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.

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The nations weather

Weather Underground Forecast for Thursday, March 08, 2012.

Active weather will return to the eastern half of the nation on Thursday as the cold front extending from the Upper Great Lakes through the Southern High Plains advances eastward and stretches from the Northeast and Northern Appalachians through eastern and southern Texas. As the disturbances progresses, it will interact with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico lifting across the East. This will allow rain showers to persist along and ahead of the front from the western Gulf Coast through the Tennessee and Ohio Valley into the Northeast by Thursday evening. Thunderstorms will accompany wet weather activity from parts of the Southern Plains and the Mid-Mississippi Valley into parts of the Central and Western Gulf Coasts. There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorm development with hail from portions of central Texas to central and southern Arkansas. Expect showers to persist after this cold front passes. Post-frontal showers in the Northeast may mix with snow Thursday night as lows drop close to the freezing mark. Expect cooler daytime highs to follow this system on Friday. Meanwhile, another disturbance dropping across Ontario will trigger light snow in the ares of the Upper Great Lakes Thursday evening. Elsewhere in the East, easterly winds will kick up showers and thunderstorms in the southern tip of Florida and along it¼'s southeastern coast.

In the West, energy along the tail end of this cold front will kick up more light snow showers over parts of the Central and Southern Rockies during the morning. Snow accumulations are expected to range from 4 to 8 inches in the plains and mountain valleys to 10 to 20 inches with locally heavier amounts across the slopes of the mountains. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday have ranged from a morning low of -20 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont. to a high of 89 degrees at Fort Stockton, Texas

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 2 hrs 29 mins ago

Weather Underground Forecast for Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

A stalled frontal zone in the Southern Plains will give rise to a new area of low pressure in eastern Texas and southern Oklahoma on Wednesday. The low will develop slowly, but due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, it will have a rich moisture source to bring heavy precipitation to the region. Heavy rains and thunderstorms will develop throughout the region, spreading north from their Gulf origins. Eastern Texas and Louisiana may experience severe weather conditions with damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.

While the region is in dire need of rain, many of the thunderstorms will bring the rain in quick heavy bursts, leading to localized and urban flooding. In addition to this activity, cloud cover will spread north out of this low bringing cloudy to partly cloudy skies to much of the Northeast. The cloud cover should not produce any significant rain in the Northeast however.

To the north and west of the southern storm, a few areas of precipitation are expected in the Northern Plains along with some high clouds, but generally dry conditions will be most common.

The Northwest will see another shot of precipitation as another Pacific cold front pushes across the coast. Once again, heavy rain will fall along the coast, with high elevation areas expected to receive deep snowfall accumulations. Precipitation will spread eastward through the Northwest as this front pushes inland.

Elsewhere in the west, high pressure in the Great Basin should keep skies clear and allow temperatures to climb to near normal or above. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Tuesday have ranged from a morning low of -20 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont. to a high of 84 degrees at Plant City, Fla.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Sat Dec 17, 5:39 am ET

Weather Underground Forecast for Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011.

High pressure over most of the nation was expected to lead to dry and mild weather on Saturday. A ridge of high pressure built from the Rocky Mountains, over the Plains, and into the Eastern U.S. This system was expected to push moisture away, bringing sunny skies and dry conditions to most of the nation. Cool temperatures were expected to return to the East as the leading edge of this system pulled in cold air from Canada. Highs were expected to range in the 40s across the Mid-Atlantic states, while the Midwest was expected to see highs in the 30s. To the north, a trough of low pressure sweeping through central and eastern Canada was expected to push a trough of low pressure over the Great Lakes. This was expected to allow for light and scattered snow showers to develop across most of the Upper and Lower Great Lakes. Snowfall accumulation was expected to range around one to two inches. Significant snowfall was not expected.

Meanwhile in the West, a low pressure system spinning over southern California and Baja California was expected to continue strengthening on Saturday. The system was expected to slowly advance eastward and into the Southwestern U.S. At the same time, flow around this system was expected to pull moisture in from the Pacific and allow for showers to develop by evening. Light rain showers and high elevation snow showers were expected to spread into Arizona throughout the day. The rest of the western U.S will remain under high pressure with dry and mostly sunny conditions.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of -6 degrees at Alamosa, Colo. to a high of 82 degrees at Crystal River, Fla.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Sat Dec 3, 5:02 am ET

Weather Underground Forecast for Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011.

Wet weather was expected to develop across the Central U.S. on Saturday, as a low pressure system moved into the Southern and Central Plains from the Southern Rockies. The system was expected to pick up additional moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, while cold air poured in from western Canada and the Rocky Mountains. This was expected to produce a broad area of wintry precipitation with snow and freezing rain likely across Nebraska and Kansas. The southern side of this system was capable of producing some scattered thunderstorms across Oklahoma and Texas. Meanwhile, high pressure building in behind this system was expected to continue bringing cool and dry conditions to the Western U.S. The Rockies and Northern Plains were expected to see highs in the 20s and 30s, while overnight lows ranged in the teens. East of this low pressure system, a cold front was expected to extend northeastward into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Due to prevailing cool temperatures, light snow showers were expected to develop along this frontal boundary. Snowfall accumulations were expected to range from one to three inches.

Meanwhile in the East, a ridge of high pressure was expected to bring another dry and mostly sunny day to the eastern U.S. A warming trend was expected to persist from the southeast through the northeast.

The West Coast was expected to remain dry as high pressure built in from the Pacific Ocean. Strong winds were expected to gradually diminish across central and southern California. Sunny skies and pleasant conditions were expected across the West Coast. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of -13 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont. to a high of 82 degrees at Harlingen, Texas

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Sun Nov 20, 4:51 am ET

A cold front will bring rain and snow to the Great Lakes and Midwest, with showers and thunderstorms developing across the South.

A low pressure area and associated cold front will move quickly eastward from the upper Midwest into the Great Lakes and the Northeast. The system will continue to push a cold front eastward, spreading down the Ohio River Valley and the Tennessee Valley into the lower Mississippi River region Sunday.

This system will draw ample moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, allowing scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop from the Tennessee Valley to the lower Mississippi River. Some storms may turn severe with strong winds, hail and heavy rains. In the North, most of the Midwest, Northeast, and Great Lakes will see rain showers. Downwind shores of the Great Lakes may see some lake effect snow showers.

Out West, a low pressure system heading down the West Coast will turn southeastward, pushing a cold front onshore. This moisture-laden system will be capable of producing some heavy rains with heavy snow in the Sierras. Rainfall totals will range from a half of an inch to an inch, while snowfall totals will range from 2 to 4 inches and up to 8 inches at the highest elevations. Elsewhere, the Pacific Northwest as well as the northern and central Rockies will dry out as a higher pressure area sets in.

Temperatures in the lower 48 states ranged Saturday from a morning low of -9 degrees at Lewistown, Mont., to a high of 93 degrees at Alice, Texas.

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Online:

Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Sun Nov 6, 5:24 am ET

Active weather will linger in the West on Sunday, while the eastern U.S. remains sunny and dry.

A low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska continues pushing waves of low pressure over the western U.S., creating disturbed weather. The system that brought snow to the Rockies will advance northeastward and move over the Northern Plains and into central Canada on Sunday. Temperatures will remain above freezing, mainly producing rain showers. However, the back side of this system will pull in cool air from the North and churn up a wintry mix of rain and snow over western North and South Dakotas.

A cold front extending southward from this system will spread over the Upper Midwest and into the Mid-Mississippi River Valley. This will kick up some light and scattered rain showers by evening. The tail end of the frontal boundary will reach into the Southern Plains, where it will obtain energy and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Expect some scattered thunderstorms across Oklahoma and Texas.

In the East, a large high pressure ridge is the dominant weather feature for the eastern third of the nation. This will create another dry and sunny day, allowing the gradual warming trend to continue.

The Northeast will see highs in the mid-50s, the Ohio River Valley will remain in the 60s, and the South will approach the 70s. Temperatures in the lower 48 states ranged Saturday from a morning low of 1 degrees at Winnemucca, Nev., to a high of 84 degrees at McAllen, Texas.

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Online:

Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 1 hr 45 mins ago

Weather Underground Forecast for Monday, October 17, 2011.

Wet and windy weather will continue in parts of the Great Lakes and the Northeast on Monday as deep low pressure lingers over eastern Canada. West winds gusting up to 50 mph are expected in the Lower Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast and may result in downed tree limbs and scattered power outages. Meanwhile, an associated low pressure system will lift northeastward into the Northeast with a few light showers. Significant precipitation is not expected with this system due to a lack of moisture.

In the South, deep tropical moisture streaming ahead of an area of low pressure moving northeastward over the eastern Gulf of Mexico will fuel more active weather in central and southern Florida on Monday and Tuesday. This moisture combined with a stalled frontal boundary in southern Florida will trigger more showers with embedded thunderstorms through the afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall with rain amounts of 2 to 4 inches will create chances of minor urban and street flooding mainly over southern Florida. In addition to heavy rainfall, strong east winds existed across the region and lead to a high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic coast beaches.

Elsewhere, a fast moving disturbance from the Northwest will drop southeastward across the Intermountain West and the Central Rockies with valley showers and high elevation snow. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected over the higher elevations by Monday afternoon. The system should reach the Central Plains with showers and thunderstorms during the latter half of the day. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Sunday have ranged from a morning low of 21 degrees at Havre, Mont. to a high of 93 degrees at Imperial, Calif.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 2 hrs 9 mins ago

Expect more early season snow showers across the West, while the East will remain under pleasant Fall conditions on Friday. A large area of low pressure that has brought rain and snow to most of the Western US will slightly advance northeastward and over the Northern Rockies throughout the day. The system will bring rain and high elevation snow to Wyoming and Montana, while the leading edge of the system will reach into the Northern Plains. The system will push a cold front over the Northern Plains and into the Upper Midwest, which will kick up scattered rain showers. The tail end of this front will reach into the Southern Plains, also bringing light rain with it. There is a slight chance that this front could trigger some severe thunderstorms with large hail, strong winds, and periods of heavy rains.

In the East, a broad ridge of high pressure remains the dominant weather feature from the Mississippi River, over the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley, and extends to the Eastern Seaboard. This will create another mild Fall day with sunny skies and highs in the 70s and 80s.

In the South, however, onshore flow over Florida and southern Georgia will create warm and humid conditions. This will be favorable for thunderstorm development, some of which may turn severe. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday have ranged from a morning low of 15 degrees at Mt. Washington, N.H. to a high of 98 degrees at Pecos, Texas

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 1 hr 7 mins ago

Another round of rainy weather is anticipated in Lower Great Lakes, Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic Thursday as the lingering low in the Ohio Valley finally lifts northeastward.

Bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms will move through the already saturated areas of northeastern Pennsylvania and central New York through the day. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches will be possible.

Areas experiencing prolonged showers and storms may have heavier amounts of rainfall. Excessive precipitation in these regions will translate into more localized flooding and chances of flash flooding.

Meanwhile, the Mid-Atlantic will also see some showers and periods of heavy rain as a cold front approaches the coast. This rain may result in some flooding along the coast.

To the south, rain and thunderstorms will persist in the central and eastern Gulf Coast as frontal boundary remains nearly stationary over the area.

Behind this activity, another low pressure system will clip the Upper Great Lakes, bringing chances of showers and thunderstorms to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. An associated cold front will sweep through the Upper Great Lakes as this system progresses with strong and gusty northwest winds and a cooler airmass. This will allow the region to experience more autumn-like temperatures through the weekend.

In the West, high pressure will provide another day of unseasonably warm weather to the Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, low pressure will approach the California coast with cooler conditions and increased clouds at the end of the week.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday have ranged from a morning low of 26 degrees at Angel Fire, N.M., to a high of 102 degrees at Houston/Dunn Helistop, Texas.

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 2 hrs 20 mins ago

Weather Underground Forecast for Tuesday, September 13, 2011. A significant storm will begin Tuesday north of the Great Lakes before moving northeastward through Canada as the day progresses. The associated cold front will drape southward into the eastern third of the country, bringing another round of wet weather to the Northeast. This precipitation will not be tropical in nature, as was the last storm to hit the area, thus only moderate amounts of rain are expected.

A second storm will move into the Great Lakes region late in the day, renewing rain and even the slightest chance of early season snow in the Upper Midwest.

The two aforementioned storms will precede a blast of Arctic air that will stream into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. This Arctic air will not be as cold as in the Winter, but a definite cooling trend will sweep through much of the northern tier of the country during the second half of the week.

Seasonally typical showers and thunderstorms will pop up through the Southwest as well.

The Southern Plains and Southeast will rise into the 90s and 100s, while the Northeast will see temperatures in the 70s. The Northern Plains will rise into the 60s and 70s, while the Southwest will see temperature sin the 80s, 90s, and some 100s. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday have ranged from a morning low of 30 degrees at Stanley, Idaho to a high of 102 degrees at McGregor, Texas

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 1 hr 32 mins ago

Weather Underground Forecast for Tuesday, September 06, 2011. A strong front will continue moving through the eastern third of the country on Tuesday, producing widespread moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms along the eastern seaboard. This is potentially bad news for areas of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that just registered the wettest August on record. Any additional precipitation falling on the already-saturated ground will complicate the flooding situation in New England and farther to the south. Adding to this will be the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee that will continue to dump heavy rain on the Southeast. This rain should gradually diminish as the day progresses and as the front moves off the East Coast.

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Katia will continue is long trek over open water. No landfall is expected Tuesday and the official forecast continues to show the hurricane curving away from the East Coast later in the week. The track could change, however, so visit http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/ for the latest.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue in the Southwest, while the West Coast will once again rise well above normal.

Dry conditions will continue in Texas, hampering the firefighting efforts there. The drought that has plagued the state all year will continue.

The Southeast will see temperatures in the 80s and 90s, while the Northeast will see temperatures in the 70s and 80s. The Southwest will see temperatures in the 90s and 100s, while the Northwest will see temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday have ranged from a morning low of 26 degrees at Stanley, Idaho to a high of 103 degrees at Tucson, Ariz.

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 1 hr 52 mins ago

Irene will continue moving up the East Coast on Sunday, and is expected to decrease to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds ranging from 74 to 95 mph. The broad and intense system will continue to cause havoc across the Eastern Seaboard, as it moves northward through New England.

Tropical storm force winds were extending outward up to 290 miles from the center. On Sunday, Irene will produce more heavy rainfall with accumulations ranging between 6 to 12 inches from the Mid-Atlantic states, over New England, and into the Northeast, with some areas likley to see up to 18 inches of rain.

While intense downpours will allow for flooding to persist across the region, the dangerous storm surge will produce much damage and flooding for the coastal areas.

Wave heights along the New Jersey shore are expected to reach 15 to 20 feet and a storm surge of 3 to 6 feet is expected near Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday morning during the time of high tide. High waves and storm surge could produce tremendous damage along the coast and low-lying structures.

For New York city, the main concern is storm surge. The latest predictions estimate a 5 to 8 foot storm surge at high tide in New York Harbor, which may flood the walls that protect the south end of Manhattan. Additionally, severe thunderstorms imbedded in Irene have a history of producing strong and damaging tornadoes.

The coastal regions of New England remain under a slight threat of severe thunderstorm development, which may be capable of producing tornadoes. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged Saturday from a morning low of 37 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont., to a high of 109 degrees at Killeen/Ft Hood, Texas.

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 1 hr 40 mins ago

Weather Underground Forecast for Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

Hurricane Irene continues approaching the East Coast on Wednesday. The system will strengthen to a category 3 storm with winds between 111 to 130 mph. The forecast storm track remains north-northwestward, over the Bahamas on Wednesday, then on towards the Carolinas by Saturday. Irene is expected to remain to the east of Florida. The Bahamas will see strong winds, torrential rains, and dangerous surf. Rainfall totals between 5 to 10 inches are expected for the southeastern and central Bahamas, while dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by 9 to 13 feet above normal tide levels. Hurricane warnings have been issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas.

Meanwhile in the US, a low pressure system moving through Canada continues moving eastward, just north of the Great Lakes. Flow around the system pushes a series of frontal boundaries through the Eastern half of the nation. A warm front will track over the Midwest, up the Ohio River Valley, towards the Northeast. At the same time, the back side of this system will push a cold front over the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains, into the Mid-Mississippi River Valley. These fronts will allow for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop across most of the Midwest. Some of these will turn severe as the system has a history of producing strong winds, large hail, and periods of heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, in the Southeast, a lingering frontal boundary will pull warm and moist air in from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. This will allow for more scattered thunderstorms to pop up across Florida and the Southeastern states.

Out West, monsoon moisture over the Southwest will advance northward, bringing a chance of thunderstorms to the high elevations of California as well as the Four Corners. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Tuesday have ranged from a morning low of 33 degrees at Mt. Washington, N.H. to a high of 111 degrees at El Centro, Calif.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Sat Aug 20, 4:44 am ET

Weather Underground Forecast for Saturday, August 20, 2011.

Active weather was expected to persist across most of the nation on Saturday. A low pressure system north of the Great Lakes was expected to continue spinning over eastern Canada. Flow around this system was expected to push a cold front over the Great Lakes and Midwest, and into the Central and Southern Plains. The leading edge of this front was expected to pull abundant moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico and create favorable conditions for afternoon thunderstorm development. Some of these storms were forecast to turn severe with strong winds, large hail, and heavy downpours. Rainfall totals were expected to range from 1 to 2 inches, while up to 3 inches are likely in areas of severe storm development. As the system tracks over the Missouri River and into the Mississippi River Valley, heavy rainfall was expected to create possible flash flooding across the already swollen rivers. Tornado development is not likely because the system does not have a history of producing tornadoes.

Behind this system, noticeably cooler air is expected to filter into the Central U.S. Temperatures were forecast to remain near seasonable, but range from 5 to 10 degrees cooler.

In the South, hot and humid conditions were expected to prevail across the Southern Plains. High temperatures were expected to remain just above 100 degrees, with heat index values up to 110 degrees.

Out West, a trough of low pressure was expected to dip southward from just off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. This is expected to create onshore flow, pushing low clouds onshore and brings slightly cooler temperatures to the Pacific Northwest and California. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of 30 degrees at Stanley, Idaho to a high of 109 degrees at Shawnee, Okla.

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The nations weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – 2 hrs 30 mins ago

Weather Underground Forecast for Monday, August 08, 2011.

More active weather is anticipated in the eastern half of the nation on Monday. Areas of showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of a cold front that will extend from the Mid-Atlantic through the Mid-Mississippi Valley and into the Central Plains. Some of the storm clusters in these regions will have a slight chance of turning severe due to increased instability during the afternoon. Damaging wind will be the main threat of storms in the Lower Ohio Valley, while damaging wind and hail will be possible in the Central and Southern Plains and the parts of the Tennessee Valley. Additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of another cold front moving through the Midwest. Areas of the Mid- and Upper Mississippi Valley will see periods of heavy rainfall with strong storms. Storms in these areas may turn severe with isolated large hail and damaging wind.

Elsewhere in the East, chances of showers will persist in the Northeast as waves of low pressure extending through the Great Lakes into the Northeast. To the south, showers and thunderstorms will continue in Florida. Finally, hot weather will linger from the Southern Plains through the Southeast and portions of the Mid-Atlantic.

In the West, a weak trough of low pressure located near the coast will keep much of the West at near normal daytime highs. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Sunday have ranged from a morning low of 32 degrees at Bryce Canyon, Utah to a high of 107 degrees at Little Rock, Ark.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Thu Jul 14, 4:40 am ET

Areas of the East will see a slight bit of relief from this week's heat during the next few days.

An energetic cold front will drop across the eastern valleys and into the Southeast with bands of showers, periods of heavy rain and clusters of thunderstorms Thursday through Saturday. This much needed precipitation is expected to reach drought stricken areas from the Texas-Louisiana border eastward through Florida. As this front drops southeastward, a broad area of high pressure from the north will follow the system. A cooler airmass will accompany this system over the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Thursday and farther south into the Southeast by Friday and Saturday. Expect a gradual cool down throughout these areas during this period. New York and the D.C. area will drop down into the lower 80s by Friday, while Atlanta drops to the upper 80s Friday and Saturday.

Hot weather conditions with high heat index values will unfortunately continue in the Plains on Thursday. Southwesterly flow from a ridge of high pressure over the north-central region of the nation and a trough of low pressure setting up over the Pacific Northwest will kick up showers and thunderstorms from the Northern High Plains through the Central Plains. Increasing instability may lead to some severe weather development in these regions during the afternoon with damaging wind and hail.

Elsewhere, chilly weather with well below normal daytime highs will continue in the west coast states. Finally, monsoon moisture spreading across the Four Corners will create more chances of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday ranged from a morning low of 33 degrees at Truckee-Tahoe, Calif., to a high of 105 degrees at Duncan, Okla.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Thu Jul 14, 4:40 am ET

Areas of the East will see a slight bit of relief from this week's heat during the next few days.

An energetic cold front will drop across the eastern valleys and into the Southeast with bands of showers, periods of heavy rain and clusters of thunderstorms Thursday through Saturday. This much needed precipitation is expected to reach drought stricken areas from the Texas-Louisiana border eastward through Florida. As this front drops southeastward, a broad area of high pressure from the north will follow the system. A cooler airmass will accompany this system over the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Thursday and farther south into the Southeast by Friday and Saturday. Expect a gradual cool down throughout these areas during this period. New York and the D.C. area will drop down into the lower 80s by Friday, while Atlanta drops to the upper 80s Friday and Saturday.

Hot weather conditions with high heat index values will unfortunately continue in the Plains on Thursday. Southwesterly flow from a ridge of high pressure over the north-central region of the nation and a trough of low pressure setting up over the Pacific Northwest will kick up showers and thunderstorms from the Northern High Plains through the Central Plains. Increasing instability may lead to some severe weather development in these regions during the afternoon with damaging wind and hail.

Elsewhere, chilly weather with well below normal daytime highs will continue in the west coast states. Finally, monsoon moisture spreading across the Four Corners will create more chances of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday ranged from a morning low of 33 degrees at Truckee-Tahoe, Calif., to a high of 105 degrees at Duncan, Okla.

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The nation's weather (AP)

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND, For The Associated Press Weather Underground, For The Associated Press – Sun Jul 3, 5:03 am ET

The Northeast will experience some scattered rains Sunday as a cold front pushes west to east from Virginia through Maine. Morning and afternoon rain will be followed by evening clearing as the front moves offshore.

Another area of precipitation will move through the Plains and may be accompanied by some strong thunderstorms and large hail. Texas, however, will not receive any rain, prolonging an already devastating drought.

In the West, scorching hot weather will prevail as a strong high pressure system dominates. Temperatures will remain well into the 100s, with some areas of the Southwest pushing above 110 degrees. Hot weather also will stretch into California, bringing summer conditions to the region after last week's unseasonably strong storm.

Temperatures in the Northeast will be in the 70s and 80s, while the Southeast and Southern Plains will see readings in the 90s and 100s. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged Saturday from a morning low of 28 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont., to a high of 113 degrees at Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.

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Online:

Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com

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