Brittany Lockley

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Temperatures have been toasty in Florida over the past week and the weekend shows no sign of relief in the sunshine state. Despite the opportunity for a few showers, there will still be high temperatures in the 80s and 90s. When combined with humidity, temperatures will feel more like the upper 90s and 100s. This is not just impacting Florida - the western Gulf and southern Texas are also dealing with intense heat index values. For those without power following severe weather in Houston on Thursday the heat could be dangerous - try to seek cool spaces, take it easy when cleaning up damage, and stay hydrated.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 080720-1716041301949.png">Temperatures will be so warm in the Southeast that they classify as "EXTREME" under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/noaa-debuts-heatrisk-tool-nationwide">NOAA's experimental HeatRisk tool</a> which helps to quantify heat based on historical averages and overnight lows.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 080653-1716041318677.png">Temperatures stay warm through the second half of the weekend and the start of the weekend with highs in the 80s and 90s throughout the Gulf Coast. The southern tier of the U.S. is jumping right into summer ahead of the unofficial start on Memorial Day. Temps in far south Texas and Florida will be warm enough to tie or break records too.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/3 day-1715977677269.jpg">

Heat Index Climbs over 100° in Florida

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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>

Rob Bradley

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A low pressure system and its associated fronts will continue to move through a hot and muggy air mass across the Southeast this weekend. This will lead to scattered strong/severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall through Sunday, with fewer storms expected Monday after the low moves offshore.Straight-line wind damage (gusts 58+ mph) is the primary threat from thunderstorms on Saturday, but large hail and a tornado or two are also possible. The tornado risk covers areas through the I-10 corridor in AL/FL, as well as down Florida's east coast around I-95.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 050712-1716031188282.png">Morning storms will give way to more widespread convection in the afternoon across MUCH of the southeast. A few storms will have energy to persist overnight as the front drops into Florida. As energy lingers in Florida on Sunday, a few additional severe storms will be possible, primarily in the afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-18 05-18-38-1716031218562.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Sunday's outlook covers most of the Florida peninsula, with wind and hail damage as the primary threats. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 050717-1716031205085.png">

Saturday Severe Risk for the Southeast

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The next severe weather system is developing with impacts expected across the Plains and Midwest Sunday through Tuesday. A strong trough will move east of the Rockies on Sunday, spurring the development of a surface low and cold front. A potent shortwave will eject from the Rockies Sunday, before the larger trough takes over <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-to-start-the-week-in-the-midwest">Monday into Tuesday</a>. May is the busiest month of the year for severe weather with most storms setting up over the Great Plains of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Already 2024 has been one of the busiest severe weather seasons with the second most tornadoes on record to date (2011 still holds the record).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 053457-1716032248419.png">An enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) has been issued for portions of Kansas, while the larger risk for more isolated severe storms stretches from Texas to North Dakota. Damaging winds are expected to be the most likely hazard (gusts 58+ mph), but large hail and a few tornadoes are possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 053505-1716032304509.png">Kansas will have multiple hazards to deal with Sunday, including the chance for hail over the size of golf balls and gusts that could top hurricane strength (74+ mph). A few tornadoes are also favored in central/western Kansas (below).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-18 053508-1716032304508.png">Scattered storms are expected to initiate along and east of the dry-line (brown pipped line) south of the low Sunday afternoon. These storms become more widespread into the early evening before gradually losing strength and organization overnight into Monday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-18 05-40-47-1716032475449.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest storm timing and threats ahead of the severe weather threat.

Severe Storms Target the Midwest & Plains Sunday

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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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Strong storms slammed the Houston metro on Thursday night, with widespread damage through downtown. On Friday afternoon the National Weather Service Office in Houston confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Cypress, TX (a suburb of Houston) along with straight-line wind damage in downtown Houston with peak winds over 100 mph. NWS also confirmed this was a "derecho" or long-track wind event that hit the city of Houston. According to the NOAA, a derecho is defined when a "swath of wind damage extends at least 400 miles (about 650 kilometers), is at least 60 miles (about 100 km) wide, includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph (93 km/h) along most of its length, and also includes several, well-separated 75 mph (121 km/h) or greater gusts."<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/1520213955507973" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/1520213955507973" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div>Thousands of windows were blown out in Downtown Houston from the pressure differences and debris. Glass was shattered across the streets.<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=840875181405067&amp;set=pcb.840875471405038" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=840875181405067&amp;set=pcb.840875471405038" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div>Power outages continue to dominate the Houston area. Sadly, four people lost their lives as a result of the severe weather in the city. Emergency officials urged people to avoid driving due to damage throughout the area.Not only was severe weather a huge threat, but widespread heavy rain led to widespread flooding in east Texas and Louisiana. In fact, the rain was so heavy that it seeped through the covered stadium the Astros play in!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1791226131892347320" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1791226131892347320"></div>

Winds Over 100 Mph Hit Houston Thursday Night

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Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on May 20, 2022. Credit: NASAIn just a few days Boeing's Starliner Crewed test flight is hoping to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Starliner was originally supposed to launch on Monday, May 6th but has been delayed two weeks due to a mechanical issue. According to Boeing, "Starliner teams are working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft’s service module traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster. Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic." This mission is the second of the Boeing-NASA contract which included one uncrewed mission in May 2022, this first test crew mission and six more trips to the ISS. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787689554905833889" src="https://twitter.com/BoeingSpace/status/1787689554905833889"></div>The launch was then rescheduled for May 10th and then May 17th but crews needed additional time to test the spacecraft and ensure it was safe. The Starliner will launch carrying two astronauts - Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams - to the International Space Station, now set for 4:43 PM ET on Tuesday, May 21st. The Saturn IV rocket and Starliner remain on the launchpad awaiting their next opportunity to launch. According to Boeing, "about 15 minutes after launch, Atlas' Centaur upper stage shuts down, sending Starliner on its way to the International Space Station."So how is the forecasting looking for launch? Right now skies look to be clear around Cape Canaveral so weather won't be a huge interrupter for the forecast. For Starliner to be able to launch the weather must have winds below 31 mph, no thunderstorms or lightning in the landing area or waves above 13.1 feet. Right now, none of that is in the forecast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast-1715891895033.jpg">If you're planning to watch the launch, temperatures in and around the Space Coast will be in the low and mid 80s. Be sure to pack water and wear sunscreen!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/tuesday-1715891895031.jpg">

Starliner Spacecraft Set to Launch Tuesday from Florida

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Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season began May 15th and we already have an area of interest in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. There are two areas of potential development in the eastern Pacific that could become tropical. The low-pressure system closer to the Mexico coastline could become a tropical depression this weekend as north/northwest parallels the Mexico coastline. If this becomes strong enough to be a tropical storm (winds 39+ mph) then the first name on the list is Aletta. The second area has a lower potential for development as it barely moves over the next few days and merges with the system to the east.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/e pac-1715956847057.jpg">Eastern Pacific Hurricane season has two peaks, one in early August and another in mid-September. This year we will be transitioning into a La Nina pattern which typically spells below-average hurricane activity in the eastern Pacific. This follows the busy 2023 Hurricane Season that brought Hurricane Otis, a category 5 storm that hit Acapulco, and Hurricane Hilary into the Southwest U.S. along with Hurricane Dora which contributed to strong winds and deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian Island of Maui.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/e pac chart-1715795559710.jpg">Meanwhile, there is no tropical development in the Atlantic, which is not uncommon for May. Atlantic Hurricane season starts on May 1 and runs through November 30th. The peak of Atlantic Hurricane season is early September when the waters are at their warmest and there are typically waves of energy off the coast of Africa that can develop into tropical systems.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1715910959069.png">This year is expected to be an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic due to a transition to La Nina conditions. La Nina results in lowered wind shear (turning of wind with height) over the Atlantic reducing the amount that upper-level winds can tear apart hurricanes. Still, it only takes one hurricane to impact you and we highly recommend preparing ahead of time.

Jesse Kelley

Hurricane Season Starts in the Eastern Pacific

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Summer of 1993, New England Dragway. That's when and where Steve knew he wanted to become a meteorologist. More than 20 years later he is extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to live his childhood dream. As a lover of math and science, Steve had a consistent interest in weather in elementary, middle, and high school before discovering you can major in meteorology. He attended Lyndon State College in Vermont where he received a bachelor's in meteorology-broadcasting and associate's in television news. He has worked as a meteorologist and reporter in Winchester, VA, Burlington, VT, and most recently in West Palm Beach, FL. He's recognized by the American Meteorological Society with the Certification of Broadcast Meteorologists.

Steven Glazier

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The low pressure system that moved from Texas into the Ozarks didn't produce much severe weather. And that is some good news as the Storm Prediction Center removed the Marginal Risk of severe thunderstorms from the forecast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1715911420443.png">As we head into Friday, storms move east into Tennessee, northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia all at risk for a few stronger thunderstorms. Elsewhere across the Mid-South, we expect heavy rainfall and localized flooding concerns.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1715911550735.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Quite a bit of rain will fall through Saturday night. In Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas we may see upwards of 5 inches of rain, especially over the hilly terrain. Across the Ohio River Valley, Tennessee Valley, and mid-Atlantic we may see upwards of 3 or 4 inches of rain. This will lead to pockets of isolated flooding in poor drainage areas, low-lying spots, or smaller rivers/creeks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1715911605290.png">The PGA Championship is being played in Louisville, Kentucky this week and this weekend. Rain and thunderstorms may impact the event on Friday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-16 163110-1715898710911.png">

Patrick Crawford

Storms Move from Plains to the Ozarks

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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.

Jackie Brown

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We have had severe storms move through the Carolinas today bringing gusty winds, hail, and even tornado warned storms. Lake City, South Carolina saw hailstones up to 1.50". Tonight, we have a marginal risk for a few severe storms with damaging winds and hail being the primary concern. The storms will continue to die down tonight as the system moves off-shore. Isolated storms will be possible through the evening hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/few storms leftr-1715823298407.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Any storms that develop may have a few heavy downpours but overall an isolated inch to a quarter of an inch of rain will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/rainfall totals -1715823424695.png">As we look ahead we will see a brief lull in any activity for the Carolinas on Thursday. We start to see things ramp up again as an area of low pressure moves through, bringing rain and storms for your Friday and Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/fri sat-1715823436635.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/religh duram-1715823529687.png">

Isolated Storm Threat In Carolinas

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Kevin Schneider

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Severe storms have been working through the Sunshine State for the better part of the last 2 days. These have been primarily wind producers, with some sporadic 60-65 mph gusts being clocked. They were high enough to knock out power around the Daytona Beach area in the early morning hours of Wednesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/VON_051524_RSE_APOPKA,FL_JUST OUTSIDE OF ORLANDO LOOKING NORTH AT BIG AM STORMS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA_TW_@AVGEEKFINSO_DO_E051524-1715775422402.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The Storm Prediction Center has maintained northern Florida and southern Georgia under a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms Wednesday. Our forecast models have the strongest storms pushing through these spots by the evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/SPC Day 1 FL Wed-1715775326889.png">Storms will last into the afternoon, targeting the Orlando and Tampa areas. All modes of severe weather will be on the table, including a few quick spin-ups later today. The storm threat continues into South Florida on Thursday with a marginal risk in store for much of the southern part of the state. Be prepared for gusty winds and an isolated tornado. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/cold front 2-1715737311335.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Since storms have been lingering in the same areas for extended periods, flash flooding will be a concern, even as we move into the afternoon and evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/FL Rain forecast-1715775277185.png">

Another Dose of Severe Storms in Florida

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Wildfire smoke from Canada reached down and over parts of the Northern U.S. Plains thanks to northwesterly flow. A series of upper-level low-pressure systems will keep smoke in our skies over the next few days. As a result, moderate to unhealthy air quality conditions are anticipated. If you are sensitive to smoke or have underlying health conditions, please stay indoors and consider wearing a mask (like an N-95) to protect yourself from the particulates.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-14_fire smoke-1715741392551.png">Smoke stays stagnant through Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Minnesota through Thursday. A few showers may temporarily relieve smoky air conditions, but expect to see haze in the skies. The smoke isn't nearly as thick as earlier in the week in the High Plains, thankfully, but it still could cause impacts to those who are sensitive.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-14_hrrr smoek-1715741442069.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Most of the wildfire smoke comes from British Columbia and Canada's Northwest Territories. These are the same provinces and territories that had an active fire season in May and June of 2023. Multiple <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/">evacuation orders</a> are in effect for communities in British Columbia as fires advance. Canadian wildfire season runs from May through September with the most active months in June and July. This year we have already seen over half a million acres burned. 42 fires are burning "out of control" meaning there is no containment.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/smokes stats-1715715385960.jpg">2023 was one of the most active seasons on record with thick smoke pouring into the northern U.S. and turning the skies over NYC, Boston, and Philadelphia an eerie orange. Thankfully we aren't seeing that widespread fire activity in Canada to constitute thick smoke to impact air quality to the same level.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1658540316197019660" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1658540316197019660"></div>

Alana Cameron

Wildfire Smoke Spreads into the Northern U.S.

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Many cities from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and into the rest of the southeast have seen a surplus of rainfall over the last 30 days which has led to a heightened flooding risk with upcoming rounds of rainfall and storms. The areas highlighted in blue and green below have seen 200 to over 300% above the 30-day percentage of normal. It's been an especially wet start to the year across many southern cities, but Dallas Texas has had so much rainfall it's been the THIRD wettest start to the year wringing in at nearly 30" of rainfall since January.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-12_30 day perc-1715553510555.png">More rain is on the way in the Deep South through Tuesday morning. A flood watch has been issued for portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and western Florida through Tuesday. Between 3" to 6" of widespread rainfall is possible with locally higher totals over 8" according to the National Weather Service. Read more here for the severe weather components: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-threat-this-week">Storms Move East Monday</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-13 160959-1715638216469.png">Multiple rounds of storms that continue into Tuesday will keep the flooding potential going across the south and southeast. This is why another MODERATE (level 3 out of 4) risk for flash flooding continues. The threat includes southern Mississippi, southeast Louisiana, and lower Alabama for the greatest risk of flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/moderate -1715608580290.jpg">Forecast models exceed 3-5" of rainfall across these spots through Wednesday, so be cautious in flood waters. Some models also show rainfall rates as quick as 1.5" in 3 hours, accelerating the potential for flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-13_rsc rse fcst rainfall-1715646782130.png">

Gulf Coast: Heightened Flood Risk

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Woodland Park, CO was among many Colorado Rocky Mountain cities that received over a foot of snowfall since Saturday! Alma, Colorado received the top snowfall report of 19.0" of snow. This snowfall led to road closures over the mountain passes earlier Sunday morning. It is not uncommon to see snow in Colorado through May and this year is no exception!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-12_rsw_co snow reports-1715552994885.png">You can see on the map where the focus of this snowfall was. A Colorado Low positioned in the western Plains of Kansas and Colorado helped to orient Gulf moisture towards the mountains. Those easterly winds assisted with the upslope flow and enhanced snowfall for the highest elevations. Enough cold air was in place to support snowfall at the highest elevations. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/snowfall amounts vipiir-1715602121081.png">As we head into the work week, some spots across the Four Corners and Northern Rockies can anticipate more moisture ahead, especially during the afternoon hours. Daytime heating will prompt showers and storms throughout the next couple of afternoons.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-12 WEST 18Z-1715564709438.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We're not expecting as much snowfall as we had this weekend across the Four Corners and Northern Rockies, but there's enough moisture that you won't have to worry about running the sprinklers every day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/accumulation amounts-1715602159532.png">

Mother's Day Snow in Colorado

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Following Friday morning's severe weather across northern Florida, newly-summarized data is coming in and it paints the picture of how busy the hazardous weather has been the past couple of weeks. According to the Storm Prediction Center, from late April to early May this year there were more than 3,000 severe weather warnings issued by the National Weather Service. The 16-day span is estimated to have been the busiest stretch of weather since 2019!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1789030078724338077" src="https://twitter.com/NWSSPC/status/1789030078724338077"></div>A destructive severe thunderstorm warning was issued Friday morning across northern Florida, meaning winds in excess of 80 miles per hour could have been possible, as a line of heavy weather pushed toward Jacksonville. "Destructive" severe thunderstorm warnings are a fairly new designation and are reserved for thunderstorms that carry a potential of 80 mph winds, 2.5" thick hail, or both! In this case, it was all about the straight-line wind damage potential on Friday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-10 074219-1715348545833.png">Blue dots cover the map in the image above, right along the Interstate 10 corridor in northern Florida from Pensacola to Jacksonville. Each of those blue dots indicate either a noteworthy strong wind gust or damage to trees, power lines, or property. An 84 mph wind gust was recorded in Crestview, FL!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-10 074854-1715348986221.png">In addition, there was an indicator of tornadic wind damage in the Tallahassee, FL area. However until storm surveys are completed, this will be classified as straight-line wind damage until determined to be a tornado. For the rest of the night, a few isolated severe thunderstorms could be possible in parts of Florida as the cold front keeps pushing southward! <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1715393781465.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with us here at WeatherNation as we update you on this top weather story today.

Steve Glazier

Busiest Stretch of Severe Weather in Four Years

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The primary concern from Wednesday's storms was damaging winds and tornadoes, unfortunately, both of which occurred over the populated mid-South, hitting the southern St. Louis suburbs and communities both north and south of Nashville. Multiple, confirmed tornadoes hit the mid-South on Wednesday creating widespread damage and destruction. The National Weather Service in Nashville confirmed an EF-3 tornado in Columbia, south of the city. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1788392193054400999" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1788392193054400999"></div>There was a tornado emergency issued along I-65 south of Nashville for the tornado seen at the top of the page. The county declared it a "mass casualty" event following the storm meaning that massive amounts of resources were needed to rescue people from trapped and collapsed buildings. Our field crews were on the scene soon after the storm showing roofs ripped off homes and major trees collapsed. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1788380868438081823" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1788380868438081823"></div>Earlier in the afternoon, Clarksville, TN was hit by multiple tornadoes. This area of Tennesee is still recovering from an EF-3 that killed nine in December of 2023, less than 3 months ago. The tornado that hit the south side of the city just before 4 PM on Wednesday was responsible for additional damage in communities north of Nashville.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1788403520871526644" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1788403520871526644"></div>There was an elevated threat of tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. The "significant" severe threat included Nashville, Huntsville, Jonesboro and Fort Smith for EF-2 or stronger tornadoes. Late Wednesday night the city of Huntsville, AL was at threat of multiple tornadoes, just minutes apart. We are waiting to hear more about damage in the northern Alabama city.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1788407951226438034" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1788407951226438034"></div>Not only was severe weather a threat but also flash flooding - the weather balloon launch in Nashville on Wednesday showed about twice as much moisture throughout the atmosphere vs normal (about 1.5" of precipitable water). With a few rounds of storms over some of the same locations, grounds became saturated with upwards of 4" of rain in 24 hours. A flash flood emergency was issued in Springfield, TN along the Kentucky border due to the fast water rise.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1788524315740082492" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1788524315740082492"></div>Wednesday was another extremely active severe weather day with multiple confirmed tornadoes spread across the Midwest and Midsouth. There was a MODERATE risk from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) which is a level 4 out of 5 threat. Stay with WeatherNation as we bring you clean up details and storm surveys in the coming days along with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="www.weathernationtv.com/news/hurricane-force-winds-possible-for-georgia-alabama">continued severe weather threat in the South.</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/0508fcstpng-1715218841972.png">

Mid-South Cleaning up After Tornadoes, Flooding Wednesday

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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The town of Barnsdall, OK took a direct hit from a confirmed tornado in the evening hours. Sights like this are truly heartbreaking, and unfortunately, daylight brought more images of destruction in Barnsdall, roughly 40 miles north of Tulsa. Initial surveys from the National Weather Service office in Tulsa, confirm<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/NWStulsa/status/1787953782485381377?t=zcmnAmqzx1omBhEkB3hh1Q&amp;s=19"> EF-4 tornado damage</a> in the town with much of the area seeing EF-3. The storm was on the ground for 39 miles from Barnsdall to Bartlesville. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787822187518292269" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1787822187518292269"></div>A tornado emergency was issued as the storm was moving through the town, which is the highest level of tornado warning that the National Weather Service can issue. Sadly, one person was killed by this storm. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787675654689104015" src="https://twitter.com/NWStornado/status/1787675654689104015"></div>Our field crews were some of the first on the scene in the town to help people escape from their collapsed homes. This is the second EF-4 tornado to hit Oklahoma in less than 2 weeks - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/more-destructive-tornadoes-touch-down-in-oklahoma">an EF-4 touched down in a tornado outbreak April 27-28</a> hitting the town of Marietta, OK closer to Oklahoma City. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787707820143419707" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1787707820143419707"></div>The Storm Prediction Center issued a HIGH risk for severe weather on Monday. The risk is the highest threat level the severe weather outlook goes up to (level 5 out of 5). The last time a storm threat of this magnitude was issued was on March 31, 2023. It covered much of the I-35 corridor including Oklahoma City and Guthrie. Later in the evening, it was expanded east to include the Tulsa metro.Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/monday-severe-weather-threat-hits-the-plains-again">Severe Storms Push East through Thursday</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot20240506161335png-1715033619658.png">Storms had incredible structure over the Plains on Monday night, fueled by large amounts of energy, spin in the atmosphere and ample moisture.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787650470951231545" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1787650470951231545"></div>The severe storm reports from Monday primarily came out of Kansas and Oklahoma. It lined up very well with where the high risk was issued between the two states. Most of the reports were from large to giant hailstones and strong, damaging winds showing up in the yellow and blue dots below. A few tornadoes touched down in the Plains, indicated by the reports in the red dots.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/svr high-1715094628616.jpg">Hailstones the size of SOFTBALLS fell in Moonlight, Kansas on Monday. We didn't stop there though, even Canton, OK, and Riley, KS had to deal with baseball-sized hail from some of the supercells that formed in the second half of the day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/hail reports-1715094628614.jpg"> Please continue to stay weather-aware as the severe threat doesn't disappear, it pushes to the east.

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