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>If it seems like April has been particularly busy with severe weather, that would be correct - except for two days, each day this month has produced severe weather. Nearly half of those days have been Level 3 or higher. Related Article - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornadoes-touch-down-in-nebraska-and-iowa-on-friday"><em><u>Tornadoes Touch Down in Nebraska and Iowa on Friday.</u></em></a><strong> </strong>Storms on Saturday are in nearly the same locations from the last few days, so <em>please do not become a victim of severe weather fatigue.</em></p><h2>Overnight Saturday</h2><p>Our storm threat  overnight is a <strong>MODERATE</strong> (level 4 out of 5) risk that extends from Independence, KS, south through Tulsa and OKC to Wichita Falls, TX. The southern spots have an elevated severe threat, with damaging hail, strong winds, and tornadoes likely.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2-1714266913303.png"></p><p>Overnight, the storms morph into a gusty squall line, with wind damage, hail, and spin-up tornadoes possible along with an elevated flood threat. Storms will linger into Sunday morning, too. This means you must have multiple ways to get weather alerts overnight, which need to be able to wake you up.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Baron 2-1714267138101.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Sunday</h2><p>More severe weather looks likely on Sunday as the front slowly moves east into more warm, moist air in the central and southern Plains. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a <strong>slight </strong>risk (level 2 out of 5) across the Great Plains and Midwest. Wind, hail, and a few tornadoes will be possible Sunday. Severe weather will continue overnight Sunday into Monday, so please look ahead to the weekend and have multiple ways to get alerts.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Baron 2-1714267528451.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Flood Threat</h2><p>In addition to the severe weather, there is a high-end flood threat. The most vulnerable spots for flooding will be Missouri, eastern Kansas, central Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Many places in the central Plains have already seen over 4" 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 bullseye for the heaviest rain will likely fall in Oklahoma where 3-5" of rain is possible in isolated areas and there is a HIGH RISK for flooding.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/rain-1714213741741.png">There is a moderate AND high risk of flooding issued through eastern Kansas, western Missouri, Oklahoma, and north Texas. With multiple rounds of heavy rainfall, the ground will struggle to absorb additional rain that falls this weekend. Numerous areas of flash flooding, water over the roads, and rapidly rising rivers and creeks are expected in this area due to the torrential downpours.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-27 103713-1714235922761.png"></p><p>A high risk for excessive rainfall is rare, typically issued only a few times each year, but these outlooks cover over 80% of flood-related damage annually.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-27 103314-1714235934322.png"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the severe weather threat and forecast information.</p>

Jackie Brown

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather, Flash Flooding

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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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<p>Snow has been falling in the Intermountain West this weekend! Nearly two feet of snow has been reported in parts of the Colorado Rockies as of Saturday afternoon. A low pressure arrives from the Pacific, tapping into moisture and dragging in cold air to produce high-elevation snow and lower elevation heavy rain. Winter alerts continue through Sunday morning for the Wasatch and Colorado Rockies.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-27 163108-1714257493189.png">Widespread moisture through the region keeps rain and snow around through the night. Elevation 7,000 feet and above are where most of the higher snow accumulations will be, but the Denver metro has seen a wet, slushy snow for much of the day as well. Snow continues in the higher elevations overnight, diminishing into Sunday morning. Another burst of lift and cool air could kick off some mountain snow showers Sunday afternoon and evening as well.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Baron 2-1714267871800.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The heaviest snowfall will fall in areas above 10,000 feet, with the potential for 12" or more snow! Even down to elevation 7,000 feet (foothills outside of Denver), there could be over 6" of snow. Traveling on I-70 will be difficult, but the fresh snow will help ski resorts that are still open, like Breckenridge. We will unlikely see snow in the cities of Denver and Colorado Springs, with heavy rainfall more likely. On average, the Mile High City sees its last snowfall on April 28th.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-27 162649-1714256821070.png"></p><p>As mentioned above, cold air will follow our front, bringing temperatures to frosty lows on Sunday and Monday. The 30s are expected to return to the Dakotas, Nebraska, and the Front Range of Colorado. There will be a sharp cutoff of freezing temperatures thanks to our front but expect lows to drop for everyone as the front pushes east early next week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-02-26 113946-1714133806213.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on our warm temperatures and weekend snow potential.</p>

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

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<h2>North Side - Nebraska &amp; Iowa</h2><p>Several teams of meteorologists and storm damage experts are actively investigating and surveying damage from Friday across the I-80 corridor. The National Weather Service in Omaha has five survey teams actively surveying damaged areas.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-27 091236-1714230904887.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.</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>This tornado struck Waverly, NE, a suburb on the NE side of Lincoln, where it derailed a train. It also moved through Elkhorn, NE which sits on the west side of the city 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 - 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. Our field crews observed high-tension power lines snapped in Elkhorn, NE, outside of Omaha after the tornado moved through. Another tornado warning was issued for the city of Omaha, including downtown and damage was confirmed in the region.</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>Severe weather will be possible in this area once again Saturday and Sunday. This weekend could feature more significant tornadoes farther south too, which you can learn more about here in our other story: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/weekend-forecast-more-severe-weather-in-the-plains"><strong><em><u>Weekend Severe Threat</u></em></strong></a></p><h2>South Side - Tex-a-Homa</h2><p>Storms in Texas and Oklahoma intensified overnight Thursday into Friday morning, producing large hail and tornadoes in Oklahoma before sunrise. More storms developed midday, and another confirmed tornado touched down in Waco, TX. It moved northeast, impacting cities south of Dallas along I-35 and I-45.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1783923252944920977" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1783923252944920977"></div><p>More active <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/weekend-forecast-more-severe-weather-in-the-plains"><em><u>weather is imminent on Saturday! </u></em></a>Please stay weather-aware for the rest of the weekend and take all weather alerts seriously!</p>

Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday

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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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<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>More people die from heat every year than ALL other extreme weather COMBINED. So how do you know how hot it is it <em>really</em> going to be?&nbsp;The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control [CDC] worked collaboratively to produce a new HeatRisk tool rolling out this summer from coast to coast. The tool had previously been used on the West Coast, but the 2024 summer will bring this experimental product to all cities across the U.S. </p><p>According to <span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">Kimberly McMahon, the NWS Public Weather Services Program Manager, "HeatRisk is a great tool to just put into context, how hot it's going to be compared to what they're used to." </span></p><p><span>The HeatRisk scale ranges from minor to extreme impacts and is color-coded from yellow to magenta. For reference, a MINOR impact day is your typical summer day.&nbsp;MODERATE days bring impact to vulnerable populations, especially people who are in the sun for long periods or without A/C. On these days, fans and open windows help to alleviate heat impacts inside.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/major-1713896597233.jpg"><span>MAJOR impact days can be deadly for those without A/C and power interruptions are possible due to the heat stress. Hospitals are likely to see an increase in the number of ER visits due to heat-related illnesses. Outdoor activities should be shifted to cooler times of the day.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/mod-1713896597231.jpg"><span>Finally, EXTREME impact days are for long-duration or potentially record-breaking heat events. There will be little to no relief from the heat overnight... and power outages are likely due to the stress on the grid. Outdoor activities should be canceled, and you should stay in cool spaces.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: windowtext">&nbsp;In 2023 during Phoenix's month-long stretch of 100°+ degree days, more people died in their un-air conditions homes than outdoors. </span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/xtreme-1713896597235.jpg">The HeatRisk tool incorporated heat forecast and historical data from NOAA to include: how above normal the temperatures are, the time of year, the duration of the heat, and overnight relief potential.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;It also considers at what temperature heat deaths occur for over 700 cities in the U.S.. That data was imperative in designing the tool to know at what level heat becomes deadly, unique to geographic location. For example, Phoenix's 110°, though hot, wouldn't be an "extreme" day during the summer. Take that same 110° but for Chicago? The risk becomes extreme. </span><span>Look for the new HeatRisk product and temperature forecasts this summer on WeatherNationTV. For more information from NOAA, visit the </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/#:~:text=The%20NWS%20HeatRisk%20is%20an,both%20daytime%20and%20nighttime%20temperatures"><strong><em><u><span>HeatRisk Dashboard.</span></u></em></strong></a></p>

Caitlin Connell

NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

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<p>Temps are climbing in the Northeast, and by early next week, the frosty starts of the last few days will be in the rearview. We have one more chilly morning Saturday, with lows near 34° from southeast New England south through the New Jersey coast. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/frost-1714166492389.jpg">This is the last of the chill though, as a high pressure nudges in from the south. This will bring warm and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico into the Northeast, and temperatures will climb quickly into next week. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-26 08-55-00-1714144926800.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Highs jump into the 70s and even the 80s for major cities in the Northeast, from Louisville to Boston, with D.C. approaching 90 by Monday! Multiple cities have the opportunity to tie or break records Sunday through the beginning of the work week. This includes D.C., Akron, Scranton and Asheville.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/three day temps-1714143429017.jpg">The warmest day will be Monday with widespread highs about 15-20° above average! It will feel more like late June than late April - time to break out the shorts!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/high vs avg-1714143429019.jpg"></p>

Kara James

From frosty temps to Record Warmth in the Northeast

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Kevin Schneider

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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>

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

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It was one year ago today that Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, bringing devastating impacts to the island. Even a year later, people on the island are still trying to recover from the storm.

Meteorologist Matt Monroe has more on Hurricane Maria and its impacts on the island.

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<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hha5-U1rCtk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Maria Stats:

Maria made landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour

Maria was the strongest hurricane to make landfall since 1932

Parts of Puerto Rico measured 30 inches of rain in one day, equal to the amount that Houston received over three days during Hurricane Harvey

Winds were strong enough to damage National Weather Service sensors across the island

The storm knocks out power to the entire island

&nbsp;

Tune in to WeatherNation for the latest on activity in the tropics and weather across the nation.

1-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Maria Making Landfall in Puerto Rico

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather, Flash Flooding

If it seems like April has been particularly

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

Snow has been falling in the Intermountain We

Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday

North Side - Nebraska & IowaSeveral teams

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

A critical fire risk is in place for west Tex

NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

More people die from heat every year than ALL

From frosty temps to Record Warmth in the Northeast

Temps are climbing in the Northeast, and by e

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s n

1-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Maria Making Landfall in Puerto Rico

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather, Flash Flooding

If it seems like April has been particularly

Late-Season Snow Dumps 2 Feet Across the Rockies

Snow has been falling in the Intermountain We

Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday

North Side - Nebraska &amp; IowaSeveral teams

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

A critical fire risk is in place for west Tex

NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

More people die from heat every year than ALL

From frosty temps to Record Warmth in the Northeast

Temps are climbing in the Northeast, and by e

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s n

North Side - Nebraska & IowaSeveral teams