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:

1. Blizzard warnings are currently in effect in parts of Alaska, predicting severe weather conditions.
2. Western New York is experiencing high wind warnings, which pose risks to travel and infrastructure.
3. Flood watches have been issued for central Alabama and southwest Mississippi due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
4. Minnesota's governor has mobilized the National Guard in response to local law enforcement needs for safety.
5. California is under wind advisories and freeze warnings, indicating hazardous conditions across various regions.
6. 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]

[Reuters | https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-federal-agents-shot-two-people-portland-abc-affiliate-reports-2026-01-08/]

[KATU/WLOS | https://wlos.com/news/nation-world/protests-outside-portland-ice-facility-after-federal-agent-shoots-injures-2-people]