Kevin Schneider

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<p>We're not really that close to the solstice. In fact, we're not even a month removed from the Spring Equinox but many of us have skipped Spring and found ourselves in Summer! A strong ridge of high pressure (above) is gripping the eastern half of the country this week. It's doing 2 things: heating things up, and steering storms north. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 075509-1776002118319.png"></p><p>Temperatures will soar close to 90 to close out the final round of the Masters today, which shouldn't have much impact on the golfers, but it's no less odd. Elsewhere, records will fall this afternoon. Some 200+ record daily highs could be tied or broken this week!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 075349-1776002152763.png">Even Columbus, who is fairly north for this warm of a setup, has a chance to get to 80+ just about every day this week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 075821-1776002306515.png"></p>

Feeling Like Summer This Week

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<p>It is April after all. After a week straight of severe weather outlooks, the risks look to continue through the first half of the work week as a large trough emerges from the Rockies, sending jet-stream energy into the Great Plains and Midwest. Outlooks have already been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday (top of the page), covering much of the same areas. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 072943-1776000590271.png"></p><p>Our West Coast trough is finally getting a move on, reaching the plains states Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the threat has been hindered a little, compared to where things started out. With a slower, weaker trough, severe chances will have a ceiling more than likely. So while severe storms will be easy to come by, the high-end concern is lowering. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 073224-1776000753659.png"></p><p>In addition to severe storm hazards (wind, hail, and tornadoes), heavy rainfall rates are expected to lead to flash flood potential. It doesn't appear to be a high-end flooding threat, but as the forecast draws closer, we will keep you updated!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-11 044143-1775904116346.png"></p>

Stronger Threat for Severe Storms Swings In

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<p>The peak of spring severe weather season is fast approaching and the outlooks are here to prove it! The Storm Prediction Center has outlooks for severe storms just about each day this week! This weekend will see an increase in energy as upper-level energy moves through northern Mexico into the Southern Plains. Another trough arrives early next week to keep the severe weather risk going.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-10 100804-1775837299426.png"></p><h1>Outlooks</h1><p>Sunday's risk is in many of the same locations as Saturday, but has been extended well north into Wisconsin. The threat is more of a conditional risk, meaning that severe storms are far from guarenteed. But if storms do develop, they have potential to reach severe weather criteria. Large hail and damaging winds will be the biggest concern today.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 063230-1775997160358.jpg"></p><h1>Forecast</h1><h2>South Side</h2><p>Storms on the south side of the risk continue to be strong to severe into the overnight and early Sunday morning, especially in the Big Bend region. Some of these strong storms may still produce damage after midnight, with heavy rain already int some areas by early Sunday. After a brief break in the morning, another round of isolated to scattered thunderstorms looks to develop in the afternoon. Coverage and intensity of storms is still a question, with confidence likely improving Saturday, stay tuned for updates!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-12 06-37-14-1775997467965.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>North Side</h2><p>Storms are possible again Sunday afternoon, but confidence is still low on how widespread storm development will be.</p><h1></h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-12 06-36-28-1775997459127.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Rainfall &amp; Flood Threat</h1><p>Heavy downpours are expected with these thunderstorms. Rainfall totals could surpass 3-5" in some areas that see multiple thunderstorms.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-11 043616-1775903842893.png"></p><p>A Slight Risk for excessive rainfall has been issued for parts of the Southern Plains. Slow moving storms could trigger flash flooding!</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 063837-1775997529602.jpg">MONDAY</h2><p>A lot of the same question marks move into Monday, with a bimodal severe threat. Two different areas are highlighted by the Storm Prediction Center on Monday. The area of greatest concern looks to be up around the Great Lakes, where a higher tornado threat resides.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Monday outlook-1776000418986.png"></p><p></p>

Weekend Closes With More Storms

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<p>A series of storms is lining up to impact the West Coast, bringing days of wet and unsettled weather to parts of California and the Rockies. Gusty winds will also accompany the system at times, adding to the overall impact.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp; As of now, isolated severe storms are expected in the Bay Area. In the higher elevations, snowfall is expected. 1-2 feet of snowfall is possible for the Sierra Nevada mountains. Winter weather alerts are already in place for this weekend.</span></p><p>Higher elevations will see a different side of this system, with colder air allowing snow to fall across the mountains. Snow levels are expected to drop enough for accumulating snow in the Sierra Nevada, where totals could become significant. <strong>Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings </strong>have been issued for portions of the Sierra Nevada and higher terrains in Southern California through Sunday for a couple of feet of snowfall in the higher elevations, mostly above 4500 feet. This could create hazardous travel conditions in mountain passes, with slick roads and reduced visibility due to falling snow and wind.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-11 061017-1775909421704.jpg"></p><p>A stronger cold front moves in tonight, and it will drag down some cooler air to support heavy snow chances in the Sierra. Travel could be a little dicey on Interstate 80. Southern California will also get in on the precipitation on Sunday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1775960379929.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p></p><p>Rainfall totals are expected to build quickly as each wave moves through. Several inches of rain could fall in parts of California and Oregon, with the heaviest amounts likely in coastal areas and higher terrain. Totals may surpass a foot in the high country and at the peaks of the mountains, but the Donner Pass will be a slick one to travel over this weekend.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-11 133050-1775936005507.png"></p><p>The unsettled pattern is expected to continue into early next week, meaning the West Coast will not see much of a break from the active weather anytime soon. As these systems push inland, they may also help trigger additional weather impacts farther east, extending the reach of this stormy stretch beyond the coastline.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><h2>Four Corners Moisture</h2><p>Here is a closer look at the incoming rain, thunderstorms, and snow for the Intermountain West. A few showers and storms may sneak into portions of New Mexico and Arizona, but the majority of the moisture looks to happen in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. This moisture picks up over the next few afternoons, which is great news for the drought.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1775960466340.png"></p><p></p><p>Drought conditions have intensified to extreme and exceptional levels out west due to a lack of moisture, especially across the northern Four Corners. Any moisture to make it this way will be beneficial to the area.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-11 061335-1775909620203.jpg">However, some of that moisture might come with some strong winds. Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah are all in a marginal risk for severe storms Sunday. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 073612-1776000980853.png"></p><p></p>

Stormy Pattern Continues for West Coast

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h1 style="text-align: center"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/">Click here to WATCH LIVE with WeatherNation!</a><br>Coverage starts at 6:30 pm ET</h1><p>Welcome home, astronauts! Friday, April 10th, the Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, where the U.S. Navy assisted in the recovery of the crew. The weather thankfully allowed for an efficient recovery, even if the seas were a bit choppy.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/WEB 1-1775822977156.png">The descent of the Orion spacecraft was impressive, entering the atmosphere at around 24,000 mph before slowing down and deploying multiple parachutes.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-10 123205-1775845963897.png"></p><p><strong>NEW RECORD</strong> - At 1:56 PM ET on Monday, April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew broke the record for the farthest distance anyone has traveled from Earth. The previous record was 248,655 miles during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. At 7:07 PM ET, they reached their maximum distance of 252,756 miles from Earth. Later that day, the crew experienced a 40-minute communications blackout with mission control in Houston as they passed over the far side of the Moon before reestablishing contact.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2041225429772882179" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2041225429772882179"></div><p><strong>LIFTOFF -</strong> At 6:35 PM ET on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, NASA launched astronauts on an historic mission to the Moon. This marks the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years, dating back to the Apollo era.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2039477801787769177" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2039477801787769177"></div><p>NASA’s Space Launch System sent four astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, aboard the Orion spacecraft on a test flight around the Moon and back. This 10-day mission will demonstrate life support systems and help lay the foundation for future deep space exploration.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 091928-1774711352235.png">Artemis II Flight History</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Day 1: </strong>focused on launch and entering Earth orbit.</p></li><li><p><strong>Days 2-4: </strong>outbound transit toward the Moon.</p></li><li><p><strong>Days 5-6</strong>: Orion will fly by the Moon, entering its sphere of influence, where the Moon becomes the dominant gravitational force.</p></li><li><p><strong>Days 7-10</strong>: return trip to Earth, followed by re-entry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where the U.S. Navy will recover the capsule.</p></li></ul><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 180532-1775088336863.png"></p><h2>What is the Future of the Artemis Program?</h2><p>In simple terms, Artemis is the first step in a broader effort to send humans to Mars. Before that, NASA aims to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustained presence while testing humanity’s ability to live and work beyond Earth’s orbit. Artemis II, specifically, will send astronauts around the Moon and back.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 091131a-1774710738504.jpg">This will be the first mission since 1972 to take humans beyond low Earth orbit, and potentially farther from Earth than any human has traveled before. NASA currently plans a series of Artemis missions, with Artemis IV expected to land astronauts on the Moon.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 180027-1775088036041.png">Artemis II marks a major step forward in human space exploration, pushing us farther than we’ve gone in decades, and bringing us one step closer to returning to the Moon… and eventually, reaching Mars.</p>

Weekend Closes With More Storms

Stormy Pattern Continues for West Coast

Artemis II Splashes Down After Journey Around the Moon

Feeling Like Summer This Week

Stronger Threat for Severe Storms Swings In

Weekend Closes With More Storms

Stormy Pattern Continues for West Coast

Artemis II Splashes Down After Journey Around the Moon

Feeling Like Summer This Week

Stronger Threat for Severe Storms Swings In

Weekend Closes With More Storms

Stormy Pattern Continues for West Coast

Artemis II Splashes Down After Journey Around the Moon