Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

Jesse Kelley

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<p>Unfortunately, we've had back-to-back weeks with an EF-3 tornado tearing across the Central United States, causing damage, injuring people, and sadly causing fatalities. We've learned of one death associated with the Westmoreland, Kansas tornado earlier this week and our thoughts go out to those impacted. The National Weather Service has rated the Westmoreland, KS tornado an EF-3. EF is short for Enhanced Fujita and can help estimate the maximum winds within a tornado, based on the extent of storm damage.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1785437957110858030" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1785437957110858030"></div><p>Our field correspondent, Brandon Clement, took this video in Westmoreland early Wednesday morning of some of the damage. There were multiple homes impacted with the roof and second-floor stories torn off. There were tractor trailers tossed around like toys. Trees were snapped in half. According to local media, at least 20 buildings sustained irreparable damage.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/VO_050124_RNC_WESTMORELAND, KS_DRONE VIEW OF TORNADO DAMAGE_WHATSAPP_BRANDON CLEMENT_KW_E050124-1714570595498.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The severe weather risk continues into Friday morning for west Texas and much of the central Plains, after a few tornadoes were confirmed in open country Thursday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3 out of 5) for overnight across west Texas near a dryline, where storms could produce huge hail as well as a tornado or two. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714690354197.png"></p><p>Showers and storms are ongoing now in Texas and Central Plains. Individual storms should cluster together overnight and move eastward, changing from a hail and tornado threat to a wind and flood threat after midnight. However, as those storms weaken, more strong storms may form along a stalled cold front in Oklahoma, moving into the ArkLaTex by Friday morning.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714690672865.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h1>Friday</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714690820648.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2-1714690848158.png"></p><p>On Friday, a new low develops off the Rockies to bring another chance of severe weather for the Plains! The biggest threat will be gusty winds and hail, but there is a non-zero tornado potential in far western Kansas. Just the last few systems, it will be another late evening and nighttime event as thunderstorms roll across the area. Heavy rain is possible again over these very saturated soils of the Plains.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714690946088.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Kara James

Tornado Threat Targeting the Nation's Heartland

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Kara has always been passionate about weather and knew from an early age that she wanted to become a meteorologist. Living in different regions of the country and experiencing weather events ranging from ice storms to tornadoes drove her to pursue a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout college, storm chasing became a regular event for Kara, where she saw first-hand the power of the atmosphere. Kara graduated cum laude from OU and decided to further her meteorology education with a Master's degree from Mississippi State University. The deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak struck while Kara was studying at MSU; her first “Dixie Alley” tornado event and an up close glimpse into the destruction of the storms she so closely studied. Her broadcast career began in Elvis’ birthplace, Tupelo, Mississippi, where she earned her Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. Kara's career has included coverage of all types of severe weather including tornado events, flooding and tropical systems across multiple southern states. Recently she helped cover the 2020 Easter Sunday deadly tornado outbreak in southeast Mississippi. In her free time, you can find Kara outdoors exploring new areas with her mini poodle,Truffles. Kara is also an avid runner and frequently races in 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. Say hi to Kara on <a href="https://twitter.com/wxkara">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/karajameswx">Facebook</a>!

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<p>This weekend an incoming storm system will bring widespread wet weather to the West Coast, including high elevation mountain snow!</p><p>A low-pressure system moves out of the Pacific Ocean and slides onto the West Coast Friday. This incoming storm system pulls in moisture from the Pacific in addition to lift and cold air to get rain and mountain snow across the West.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-30 14-20-53-1714510761654.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The associated cold front moves onshore Friday with heavy coastal and low elevation rain. Overnight as cold air swings in behind the front, rain turns to high elevation mountain snow. As temperatures fall throughout the day Saturday more rain turns to snow, especially in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. Steady snow continues into Sunday for the highest elevations with rain for lower elevations.</p><p></p><p>Winter alerts have been issued for the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the heaviest snow is expected to fall this weekend. Snow totals could be upwards of 9" in spots above 5,000 feet of elevation.</p><p>Throughout the weekend, the highest snow totals will be in the mountains. Snowfall in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington will be on a similar total amount as the Sierra. Heavy coastal rain of 1-3" in from Washington to northern California could cause brief flooding issues, primarily Friday and early Saturday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSW CA-1714705691088.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/FORECAST-1714705809876.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSW accum-1714682775161.png">If it feels like snow is falling late into the season, you may be surprised to know that the season's last snow for many West Coast communities lingers into May and for the highest elevations, even into June!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/est avg snowfall-1714510694011.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the forecast for the upcoming weekend.</p>

Patrick Crawford

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

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<p>Heavy rainfall Wednesday night and Thursday morning closed several roads across southeast Texas due to a high amount of water on the roadway. Radar estimates have shown totals near a foot northeast of Houston around the Livingston and Huntsville, TX area. Ground truth observations from reliable weather stations verify those estimates, accumulating up to nearly 10 inches in parts of the Lone Star State!</p><p>Looking ahead, a flood watch remains in effect for southeast Texas and western Louisiana Friday for the potential of additional flooding. As we look ahead towards the long term, river flooding will be a concern near the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers as upstream dams release water southward! Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for areas along the east fork of the San Jacinto River northeast of Houston.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSC FFA-1714680187261.png"></p><p>For the rest of Thursday, a Moderate Risk of flooding continues for parts of SE TX and SW LA. Any additional heavy rain in these areas will quickly runoff and add to the flooding risk that is still ongoing for some. A "moderate" risk of excessive rainfall, meaning numerous flooding occurrences will be likely and you will want to seek higher ground in the event of heavy rain. Avoid floodwaters and seek higher ground. Never drive through these flooded roads either!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714689585461.png"></p><p></p><p>In addition to the heavy rainfall, large hail, strong winds, and a few tornadoes will be possible in parts of Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas overnight. The highest risk of severe weather will occur in the Enhanced Risk in West Texas. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSC SPC today-1714682835175.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714689938079.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Numerous Roads in Texas Impassable Earlier Today

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<p>Numerous high temperature records fell across the Northeast Thursday, including parts of the Interstate 95 corridor! For example, Washington D.C reached a daytime high of 91 degrees and the normal high for this time of the year is 73 degrees!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714689163309.png"></p><h2>Northeast</h2><p>The warmth continues on Friday in the mid-Atlantic while we start to see cold air intrusion in New England. Temperatures fall through the weekend back towards or below average. The reason for the cool down in New England is a cold front that moves on Thursday. It won't produce a whole lot of wet weather, but a few isolated showers in coastal Massachusetts and Maine are possible. More showers arrive with an additional system on Saturday and will contribute to a larger cool-down for the Midwest.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-02 070843-1714655381249.png">Southeast</h2><p>The heat will also impact the Southeast, and while it won't necessarily be record-setting, it will be about 10-15 degrees above normal. Highs jump into the 90s in Florida Peninsula with close to 90 even up into central Alabama. The above average warmth and humidity will help lead to daily chances of afternoon thunderstorms.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-02 070852-1714655390684.png">There is confidence in the above-average temperature forecasting continuing through the next couple of weeks. We expect above-average temperatures from the Carolinas through the Gulf Coast!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-02 071007-1714655415816.png"></p>

Temps Climb on the East Coast

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<div>Lucy is originally from the Boston area but has spent the last four years forecasting and living in Colorado! She stayed in the northeast for her education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego with a B.S. in Meteorology. Just a few days after graduation, she made the cross country move to Colorado Springs, CO to begin her career at KKTV, the CBS affiliate. Lucy has covered historic blizzards, tornadoes, windstorms, the largest wildfires in Colorado state history and dust storms ... they truly "get it all" in Colorado! Lucy is excited to forecast on a national level and continue her passion of explaining the science behind the weather!</div>
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Lucy Bergemann

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<p>Similar areas that have been at risk since the end of April will experience another bout of severe weather on Monday, May 6th. The Storm Prediction Center [SPC] has issued the severe weather outlook from central Nebraska through northern Texas, indicating high confidence in the severe weather potential. </p><p>This is thanks to another wave of energy from the Pacific moving east throughout the weekend, providing enough lift to support storm development. At the surface we have moisture streaming north contributing to instability ahead of a surface cold front. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-01 10-51-01-1714583042845.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The central and southern Plains are a bullseye for severe weather in May. The moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and cooler air from Canada clash over Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, elevating the severe threat. We know this is another day of severe weather on the horizon, but please don't let severe weather fatigue get the best of you.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/BULLESYE-1714582936940.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on the severe weather threat ahead in early May. </p>

Monday Severe Weather Threat Hits the Plains Again

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>Welcome to May! The month normally boasts severe storms, Mother's Day and later sunsets. This weekend will be the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday evening - and rain could affect things.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Summer countdown-1714568488325.png">A dynamic upper-level low will bring the shot at some storms on Friday to parts of the Ohio River Valley, but models are hinting at a fast moving wave joining the party late Friday night into Saturday. That could meet up with enough moisture to keep scattered showers around northern Kentucky into the first day of the weekend. This is where it could be raining around race-time (below).</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/GFS for KY-1714568498978.png">The Kentucky Derby says on its website that it's a "rain or shine" event, so no delays are expected. However, the conditions could be a little muddy for the horses when the gates open Saturday at 6:57 PM ET.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/kentucky derby daypart-1714568509182.png"></p>

Jackie Brown

Trotting Around Rain Chances at the 150th Kentucky Derby

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<p>Spring snow opportunities continue in the Rocky Mountains, with snow expected through the middle of the week from the Cascades of Oregon to the Rockies of Montana, the Tetons of Wyoming, and the Front Range of Colorado. The snow is especially welcomed at ski resorts that are still open. Breckenridge is expected to stay open through May 12th, and Snowbird in Utah is expected to close on Memorial Day Weekend!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/nwww-1714613142940.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>This active pattern is all thanks to two areas of low pressure in our upper atmosphere, known as "double barrel lows," that follow one right after the other. The low-pressure systems pull in moisture and energy to produce high-elevation snowfall and rainfall for the lower elevations.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-30 10-31-43-1714495076445.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Steady snow continues in the highest elevations of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado through Wednesday, with another round of moisture moving onshore for Oregon, mostly as rain. The bottom line is that it stays unsettled in our highest peaks through the end of the week. Snowfall totals will be 6"+ for areas over 8,000' where winter weather advisories are in effect for Montana mountains.</p>

Spring Snow in the Mountain West

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Taban Sharifi grew up in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. She is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) with the American Meteorological Society (AMS). She has a B.S. in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Go Bruins! While in school, Taban was a meteorology intern with NBC LA. There she helped forecast daily weather for the greater Los Angeles region and created a playbook to deploy weather sensors for NBC owned-and-operated stations across the country. Her first on-air job took her to San Angelo, Texas, where she was a morning meteorologist and co-anchor. Working in West Texas gave her knowledge and experience covering severe storms. From there, she moved to Palm Springs, California. People think forecasting in California is sunshine all the time, but with temperatures in the 120’s, wildfires, damaging winds, floodings, and earthquakes, the forecasting kept her very busy! She also worked there as a general assignment reporter and told community stories. Taban is excited for the challenge and opportunity to forecast nationally with WeatherNation. She also looks forward to exploring all that Colorado has to offer!

Taban Sharifi

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<p>It's the second day in a row cities in the northeast broke record high temperatures. Not as many records were broken Tuesday, but areas like D.C. and Binghamton, NY got high enough to break previous records. Temperatures will return closer to seasonal by Friday for many locations. Although, some spots do stay warmer.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-30 164300-1714516987092.png">Showers and storms swept across the northeast with multiple severe warned storms. We still have the chance of a few isolated severe storms overnight with the potential of strong winds and large hail. A few areas have already seen some larger hailstones reaching 1".</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/FJKJFKLJ-1714526195784.png">Showers and storms will wrap up overnight. Watch out for the threat of isolated flooding along some roadways.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/LOW PRESSURE-1714526345813.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>You can always find more details about the Eastern Regional Forecast :10 past the hour.</p><p></p>

Alana Cameron

Record Highs Hit in the Northeast, Isolated Severe Remains

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

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<p><strong>UPDATE:</strong> The National Weather Service out of Norman, Oklahoma, has upgraded the rating of the Marietta tornado to <strong>EF-4</strong> with estimated peak winds of 165-170 mph, a path length of 27 miles, and a path width of 900 yards. Unfortunately, this tornado brought at least one fatality to Love County. This tornado developed southwest of Marietta and moved north-northeast over I-25 before moving into Marietta towards Lake Murray and Dickson.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1785021848498876600" src="https://twitter.com/NWSNorman/status/1785021848498876600"></div><p>Here's a look at the destruction our field corresponded Brandon Clement observed upon daylight on Sunday.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784689042388668902" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784689042388668902"></div><p></p><p>The town of Sulphur, OK also took a direct hit from a destructive tornado on Saturday night, with a rating of <strong>at least EF3.</strong> According to the NWS, estimated peak winds were 160-165 mph, path length was 7.5 miles, and width was 440 yards. Our Field Correspondent, Brandon Clement, took this video earlier in the day:</p><p>Related articles: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornadoes-touch-down-in-nebraska-and-iowa-on-friday"><em><u>Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday</u></em></a> and<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Severe%20Weather%20Threat%20Monday%20From%20Texas%20to%20the%20Lower%20Mississippi%20Valley"><em><u>Severe Weather Threat Makes it to the Gulf Coast</u></em></a></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784590897423765833" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784590897423765833"></div><p>According to the National Weather Service, at least 33 tornadoes have been confirmed from Saturday in Oklahoma alone.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/oklahoma tornadoes-1714504868827.png">The hail was large and damaging, along with the strong wind gusts and the confirmed tornadoes that touched down. About teacup-sized hail fell in Fox, OK on Saturday, and we're sure that hailstones that large will easily cause damage.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-28 052810-1714303700198.png">This is a terrifying view of a tornado touching down in the rural area of Kendall, KS. You can easily see its wide base on the ground, along with much of the dust and debris that was picked up.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/VO_042724_RNC_NEAR KENDALL, KS_SHORTER VERSION OF TORNADO JOSH INTERCEPTED AND DEBRIS FLYING AT THE END_EMAIL_JOSH HEYNEN_DW_E042724-1714303991447.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

At Least 33 Tornadoes Reported in Oklahoma this Weekend

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>Several teams of meteorologists and storm damage experts are actively investigating and surveying damage from Friday, April 26 across the I-80 corridor. According to the National Weather Service of Omaha, at least 5 EF-3 tornadoes have been confirmed.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-29 nws omaha-1714445003827.png">It all started when a tornado touched down in Lincoln, NE, just before 3 PM central time on Friday. This storm was tornado-warned for more than 50 miles as it tore through suburbs of the Omaha metro and eventually moved across the Missouri River and into Iowa. It has been confirmed as an EF-3 on the ground for 8.6 miles and with winds of 158 mph. This tornado struck Waverly, NE, a suburb on the NE side of Lincoln, where it derailed a train.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1783955995875565622" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1783955995875565622"></div><p>An EF-3 tornado was confirmed in Elkhorn, NE on the west side of Omaha. Winds were at 165 mph with this tornado. After the tornado moved through, our field crews observed high-tension power lines snapped in Elkhorn, NE, outside of Omaha. </p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784243608318595371" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784243608318595371"></div><p>There was a "tornado emergency" issued for the northern suburbs of Omaha, NE, at around 3:45 PM CT Friday as a result of the Elkhorn tornado storm cell. This is the highest level of tornado warning the National Weather Service can issue and signals that there is a confirmed tornado on the ground and an extremely dangerous situation unfolding. A traffic camera in the Omaha area caught the tornado. Another tornado warning was issued for Omaha, including downtown, and damage was confirmed in the region. Additional surveys will be conducted to determine the strength of tornadoes in Omaha. </p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1783961145100980348" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1783961145100980348"></div><p>Not only were there confirmed tornadoes in Nebraska, but numerous tornadoes also struck Iowa, impacting western and Central Iowa. There were 6 EF-2 tornadoes with winds of 111-135 mph and 2 EF-1 tornadoes. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/iowa-1714486552531.jpg"></p>

Tornadoes Tear Through the Heartland Friday

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

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<p>The severe threat has lessened this evening and there is now a GENERAL risk for thunderstorms for the overnight hours and a low threat for severe due to the loss of daytime heating. An isolated storm will be possible, but there will be limited precipitation through the overnight hour for Texas and Louisiana.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/gggg-1714440061662.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h2>Flood Threat</h2><p>In addition to the severe weather, there is an ongoing flood threat. Many places in the Central and Southern Plains have already seen over 9" of rain in the past few days. This means the ground is already highly saturated in some spots, making it more likely to flood. The Weather Prediction Center has maintained a <strong>MARGINAL </strong>to<strong> SLIGHT</strong> risk for flash flooding through Tuesday morning in these areas.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-29 wpc through tonight-1714419623445.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-29 central-1714444898379.png"></p>

A Few Storms Lingering Along The Gulf

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<p>Torrential rain fell overnight around the city of Groveton, TX. Businesses and homes were inundated after more than 10" of rain fell overnight. </p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784876454930415800" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784876454930415800"></div><p>Watch back the radar loop from last night - notice when the rain starts and stops. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Reflectivity Loop Groveton-1714394174198.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>A sensor just outside of Groveton by Caney Creek recorded 10.72" of rain overnight.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/6 hr rainfall ffe-1714394201020.png">All of that rain overwhelmed streets and drains leaving roads impassible in many locations. Just look at how high the water was on some cars our field correspondents saw late Sunday night.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/VO_042824_RSC_GROVETON, TX_DIFFERENT VIEWS OF CARS DRIVING THROUGH FLOODED WATERS_BRANDON CLEMENT_WHATSAPP_MR_E042924-1714394604232.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Caitlin Connell

Flash Flood Emergency 30 Miles Outside of Lufkin Overnight

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<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a></span></p>

Rob Bradley

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<p>Snow piled up in the Rocky Mountains this weekend, with over two feet of snow reported in parts of Colorado! Even the Denver metro area saw accumulating snow Saturday morning.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784356854233178450" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784356854233178450"></div><p><br>Many mountainous areas from the Cascades to the Rockies reported heavy snow from mid-week into the weekend, with the Front Range of Colorado reported the highest totals thus far.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-28 062758-1714307296262.png">Moisture lingering behind the trough and afternoon heating will lead to a few more pop-up rain and snow showers on Sunday. Winter alerts are in effect for SE Wyoming's Snowy Range, where several inches of snow and gusty winds are expected.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/forecast-1714319083449.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Additional snowfall is only expected to top a few inches on Sunday but could create travel issues on mountain passes, including on I-70 and I-80.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/snow accumulation-1714319142786.jpg">Snow this late in the season is not unusual in the Colorado Rockies. In fact, even more snow is possible toward the end of the computing workweek. Denver has recorded measurable snow into late May - with mountain snow chances lingering even longer. This is great news for the handful of ski resorts that remain open, and hope to extend their season even further.</p>

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

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<p>A critical fire risk is in place for west Texas, eastern Colorado, and New Mexico through the weekend as gusty winds and dry grasses and low humidity create a dangerous situation. If a spark were to start, these are the conditions where rapid, life-threatening fire growth would be possible. Humidity values will be in the teens, meaning there will be no moisture in our atmosphere to help taper fire growth.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/1-1714253426666.png"></p><p>Gusty winds are anticipated on Sunday, especially through New Mexico and West Texas. Winds could gust up to 40 mph unlike Saturday where gusts reached near 60s mph in Southern New Mexico. If a flame starts, it will move as quickly as the winds, at about 40 mph. We can't stress enough how critical this weekend's fire risk is.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Baron 2-1714253811864.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Drought conditions are extreme and exceptional for southern New Mexico, while most of the region is experiencing moderate drought. Northern New Mexico and SW Texas are experiencing pockets of severe drought (level 3 out of 5).</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/drought-1714053897089.jpg"></p>

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

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<p>It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s noisemakers are set to return in a <em>big</em> way this year as not one, but <em>two</em> sets of periodical cicadas will emerge in the Midwest and Southeast. It is the first time these two specific broods have surfaced <em>together</em> since 1803! This is the first time since 2015 that a 13 year cycle brood emerges at the same year as a 17 year brood.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5jJPrP5rfE" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p>The southern brood emerges every 13 years and is known as the <strong>Brood XIX, </strong>the largest brood in the U.S.. The Northern Illinois brood has a period of 17 years, making these two broods overlap uncommon. They will only overlap in central Illinois, where is expected to be the noisest!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Closer look at Illinois locations overlap.mp4_snapshot_00.01.232-1713196589008.jpg"></p><blockquote><p>Katie Dana, a researcher with the Illinois Natural History Survey who studies the cicadas says, “We have broods emerging across the U.S. almost every year, but we don’t often have broods emerging at the same time. Just like how birds have different songs, cicadas have different songs...we have over 3,000 different species of cicadas so we have so many different songs.”</p></blockquote><p>Periodical Cicadas are large, loud insects with bright red eyes. They live underground for years. Once the cicadas take to the skies, they will be in the air for about 3-4 weeks, mating before laying eggs and reburying themselves for another 13 or 17 years.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Slow zoom east coast brood locations.mp4_snapshot_00.06.391-1713196589005.jpg">Depending on where you live, the double brood emergence could start as soon as April but will happen whenever the ground temperatures reach 64°. According to Katie, “It’s those warm soils that push them out of the ground, but they’re also looking for some moisture. If you have really dry soil, it’s going to make it hard for them to dig out.” Given that we've had some of our warmest winters on record in the Midwest we are looking at the opportunity for earlier emergence of the broods.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Warmest Winter on Record.mp4_snapshot_00.05.538-1713196589007.jpg">If you’re less than thrilled about these beaty-eyed bugs, focus on the positives. They provide extra nutrition for birds and animals and spark a reset for oak trees allowing them to produce more acorns a few years after they emerge. If that’s not enough to get you through... the next time these two broods will be out at the same time won't be for another 221 years, which will give you plenty of time to learn to appreciate the cicada screams.</p>

Tornado Threat Targeting the Nation's Heartland

Tornado Threat Targeting the Nation's Heartla

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coas

Numerous Roads in Texas Impassable Earlier Today

Numerous Roads in Texas Impassable Earlier To

Temps Climb on the East Coast

Temps Climb on the East Coast

Monday Severe Weather Threat Hits the Plains Again

Monday Severe Weather Threat Hits the Plains

Trotting Around Rain Chances at the 150th Kentucky Derby

Trotting Around Rain Chances at the 150th Ken

Spring Snow in the Mountain West

Spring Snow in the Mountain West

Record Highs Hit in the Northeast, Isolated Severe Remains

Record Highs Hit in the Northeast, Isolated S

At Least 33 Tornadoes Reported in Oklahoma this Weekend

At Least 33 Tornadoes Reported in Oklahoma th

Tornadoes Tear Through the Heartland Friday

Tornadoes Tear Through the Heartland Friday

A Few Storms Lingering Along The Gulf

A Few Storms Lingering Along The Gulf

Flash Flood Emergency 30 Miles Outside of Lufkin Overnight

Flash Flood Emergency 30 Miles Outside of Luf

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rock

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies thi