Patrick Crawford has always been a huge weather buff! He grew up in Plano, Texas, and it was there that he experienced what Mother Nature was capable of doing. He would always turn on the television to see what local meteorologists were saying about the weather. That's when he realized he wanted to be a meteorologist.

Patrick graduated from Northern Illinois University (’04) with a degree in Meteorology and a double minor in Mathematics and Geography. Broadcast Meteorology has been great to him and he has been able to work in television markets all across the country. Some of his stops have included New Orleans, Green Bay and even Yuma, Arizona. He is so excited to be part of the WeatherNation team.

He has been awarded the prestigious CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) weather seal from the American Meteorological Society.

Feel free to catch up with Patrick Crawford on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://twitter.com/MeteorologistPC">Twitter</a> pages.

Patrick Crawford

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<p>We are deep into the Spring severe weather season and there is yet another threat for strong and severe storms in the southern Plains Sunday (ABOVE).</p><p>An area of low pressure pushing out of the Rockies will impact the Red River Valley of Texas and Oklahoma Sunday with all severe weather hazards possible. A SLIGHT risk has been issued for much of the Red River Valley including the DFW metro, to account for large hail and damaging winds. An elevated tornado threat also exists for north Texas.\</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/Capture-1680432592147.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/emergency-1680432596385.JPG"></p><p>Showers and storms develop through the afternoon and evening on Sunday along the dryline, or front separating moist air from dry air. This difference in dew points and moisture helps to fire off storms through the afternoon and evening. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/forecsat moisture-1680367172058.JPG">Those storms then move east, with the threat shifting into Louisiana, hard hit Mississippi and Alabama overnight Sunday into Monday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/FORECAST-1680432610117.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Heavy rainfall is also a factor with the potential for 1-3" of fresh rain for areas in the southern Plains, especially near the I-20 and I-30 corridors.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RSE accum-1680402986427.JPG">Be prepared for flooding, especially given how saturated the soils are. The rain is good news for the ongoing drought, though.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RSE WPC-1680403008165.JPG"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the next severe weather threat in the south.</p>

Storms Develop in Texas & Oklahoma Once Again Sunday

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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>!

Kara James

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<p>The strong low pressure system and cold front that produced numerous strong and severe storms in the Midwest and Southern Plains on Friday brought a line of severe storms with embedded tornadoes to the Northeast Saturday.</p><p>Wind gusts from storms topped 90 mph earlier on Saturday! (ABOVE). The top report from Delaware was from an automated reporting station that was hit by a confirmed tornado in the area at the time. </p><p>Numerous reports of downed trees and structural damage from gusty winds (blue dots) and large hail (yellow dots) came out of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic following the line of storms on Saturday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RNE repts-1680396718359.JPG">This system's energy is now offshore and the severe weather threat is over.</p><h2>Wind Threat</h2><p>Although storms are no longer expected through the region, sustained winds on the back side of the cold front will be breezy through the overnight hours. With non-thunderstorm gusts topping 40-65 mph, there could still be occasional damage to property left outside.  Winds will gradually relax through the day Sunday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RNE WWA-1680403204185.JPG"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RNE wind-1680403426532.JPG"></p><p>Catch the eastern regional forecast always :10 past the hour and in your top weather headlines always streaming 24/7.</p>

Storm Damage Throughout the Northeast Saturday

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<p>Another coast-to-coast storm is expected to move onshore early next week, creating issues from snow and wind in the northern tier of the country and severe weather through the Midwest and southern tier of the country (ABOVE).</p><p>This next powerful low sweeps out of the Pacific and into the western U.S. Sunday, prompting mountain snowfall in the Rockies and Cascades. That upper-level energy then moves into the central and eastern U.S., drawing in moisture and building energy, prompting severe weather chances in the southern Plains and heavy snow in the northern Plains. </p><h2>Severe Weather Threat</h2><p>The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has highlighted Monday and Tuesday for chances of severe storms with this next system. Monday, the risk area for isolated severe storms stretches from Kansas and Missouri through north Texas.  We will likely see an adjustment of the severe weather threat as the day draws closer.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/spc monday-1680366587743.JPG"></p><p>The highest confidence severe weather risk area Tuesday (orange region) includes Missouri, southern Iowa, northern Arkansas and Illinois. Here, the environment is capable of producing scattered to numerous storms with the potential for gusty winds, large hail or tornadoes. Cities in yellow are in a slightly less favorable environment for storms, but there is still enough energy storms. </p><p>Unfortunately, this region is very similar to the hard-hit communities from severe storm events on March 24 and March 31. Now is the time to think ahead to your plans on Tuesday and how they could be impacted by severe weather. Make alternate plans now if necessary, and make sure everyone in your household knows the severe weather safety plan/</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/spc tuesday-1680366328105.JPG"></p><h2>Snow Chances</h2><p>On the northern side of the system, cold air will funnel in behind the low pressure system and meet moisture in place. This will produce another area of very heavy snow and gusty winds in the northern plains, with near blizzard conditions possible. </p><p>Winter alerts have already been issued for Nebraska and South Dakota ahead of this powerful system. Alerts will likely expand as this event draws closer and confidence increases in the heavy snow placement and impacts.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RNC WWA-1680404064182.JPG"></p><p>Models are already painting a swath of real estate from Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota of 6-12" of fresh snow, with some spots possibly picking up more than a foot! </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RNC Snow accum-1680404159797.JPG"></p><p>Expect travel to be impacted through mid-week with heavy snow and gusty winds. Near zero visibility is possible with the gusty winds and blowing snow. The Blowing Snow impacts are already in the "extreme" category for Monday in South Dakota. Driving in the major or extreme areas will be very dangerous and at times nearly impossible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/4-1 RNC WSSI-1680404375134.JPG">This forecast will likely change, with the path of the low pressure system vastly influencing the corridors of heavy snow. The bottom line is, a large portion of the Northern Plains and upper Midwest will be impacted by heavy snow through the week.</p><p> Check back with us on WeatherNation frequently for updates on this top weather headline!</p>

Looking Ahead: Yet Another Coast to Coast Storm First Week of April

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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>Strong winds and dry air have combined once again Friday afternoon to heighten the fire danger across a large area of the country. Red Flag Warnings are in place for the southern High Plains Numerous fires across multiple states have already been reported including one in the western suburbs of Denver, Colorado! The Storm Prediction Center, which produces outlooks for severe weather, also produces fire outlooks; they have highlighted this weekend with critical fire risk. Winds will be quite gusty, in the range of 20-30 mph with locally stronger gusts. Tie down anything that could blow away and be prepared for pockets of blowing dust and dirt.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/fire sunday-1680364495520.JPG"></p><p>Areas of west Texas, central Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas are suffering under extreme and exceptional drought conditions. We will be concerned about any spark spreading quickly through dry brush and grass. Relative humidity values during the day will be in the single digits during the daytime hours, allowing flames to grow rather than dampen under the increased humidity of the atmosphere. We have already seen impressive wind gusts this week with more wind possible today.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/co wind alerts-1680364452735.JPG"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/2023-04-01 20-59-59-1680404430670.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Here are some tips on preventing the spark of wildfires: Properly dispose of lit matches, cigarettes, or cigars. Avoid using equipment that causes a spark. Obey local burn bans by postponing any prescribed burns you may have had. If allowed to burn, make sure campfires are completely extinguished, cool to the touch!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/8-1680216396828.jpg">For the latest on the fire danger and wind in the Southern Plains, join WeatherNation, streaming 24/7.</p>

High Fire Danger This Weekend

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>A rare "high risk" severe weather event unfolded Friday from the southern Plains to the Midwest, with an outbreak of severe storms and tornadoes that have killed several people and injured many more. It was the first high risk issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in just over two years. The last HIGH risk day was March 25, 2021 when tornadoes were confirmed through Georgia and Alabama. Just one week before there was another HIGH risk day on March 17, 2021. High risks are rare and reserved for the most severe, widespread events. Generally, there is about 1 high risk day every 2 years. Not only did we have a high risk, we had two separate areas of HIGH risk, to include the Mississippi Delta in the South and the triple point of Iowa, NW Illinois and Missouri to the North. Storm surveys are being conducted in the coming days to determine the tornadoes strength, size and distance.</p><h2>Midwest</h2><p>Numerous violent tornadoes were observed across portions of the Midwest, Iowa in particular. Video (below) shows the strong tornado and mesocyclone in Keokuk County. Damage from this storm showed tractor trailers lofted into trees - showing the immense strength of the storms. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with many more reports of wind and hail damage. Isolated flooding was also reported into northern Illinois and south Michigan.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1641953531581087749" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1641953531581087749"></div><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/04-01 N Reports-1680362854340.JPG">Sadly, storms lead to a roof collapse at the Apollo theater in <span style="color: rgb(54, 54, 54)">Belvidere, Illinois, which is a suburb of Rockford, IL in the northern portion of the state. Sadly one person was killed when the roof collapsed due to the storms and dozens were injured. The National Weather Service Office in Chicago will be surveying the damage to see if the tornado touched down and caused the collapse. There was a tornado warning in place for the storm as it moved into the area.</span></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1642187566085722112" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1642187566085722112"></div><h3>Southern Plains</h3><p>Violent tornadoes also caused damage across the south. A strong tornado ripped through the northern side of Little Rock Friday afternoon, causing damage to hundreds of structures. Thousands of customers were without power following the storm. Our field crews captured the storm and immediate damage, saying cars in Little Rock were lofted and tossed as a result of the storm when it pushed through. A state of emergency has been declared as a result of the storms.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1641895353019518988" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1641895353019518988"></div><p>There was another powerful tornado that developed and tore through Wynne, Arkansas, a community about 40 miles west of Memphis, Tennessee. Video (below) out of Wynne shows a terrible damage path across a large area.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1641945824568700928" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1641945824568700928"></div><p><br><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/04-01 Arky Heads-1680362937637.JPG">Tornadoes continued to track east across the South overnight, with confirmed tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/04-01 S Reports-1680362949984.JPG">Nation Weather Service teams will be deployed over the next several days to conduct damage surveys to determine how many tornadoes occurred and what their EF rating is. Stay with WeatherNation through severe weather season for the latest.</p>

Numerous Violent Tornadoes Rip Across the Midwest and South

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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>The same front that brought widespread storms to the southern Plains is moving into the Southeast. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a SLIGHT risk for southeast Alabama, south Georgia, and South Carolina. The primary threat will be damaging winds.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/24-1680384998188.jpg"></p><p>An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, given the shear and spin in the atmosphere.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/25-1680385009548.jpg"></p><p>This is a fairly fast moving system, so we anticipate storms to be off the coast around dinner time on Saturday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/27-1680385103021.jpg"></p><p>These thunderstorms won't last overnight so you may rest a little easier knowing there isn't a high risk of overnight severe weather.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/28-1680385128252.jpg"></p><p>Rainfall accumulations will be generally light - in the range of 1" through the South. Because storms are moving quickly, we won't have the potential for repeated rounds of rainfall, or "training" of storms. Isolated flooding is possible across southern Alabama, Georgia, and in the Florida Panhandle.</p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the severe weather potential and rain chances in the South. Your Southeast regional forecast is always :10 past the hour.</p>

Saturday Features a Few Storms in the Southeast

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<p>The same system that produced severe weather also brought heavy snow to the Midwest, with over 15 inches reported in parts of South Dakota and Wisconsin. Blizzard conditions were observed in portions of Minnesota and South Dakota as well. The heavy, wet snow weighed down on trees to create spotty power outages across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the U.P. of Michigan. You can see the power go out in Eagan in the video below.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1642180547853324289" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1642180547853324289"></div><p>The heaviest snow is now tapering off but lingering flurries and wet bursts of snow will be possible into the early afternoon before exiting Michigan.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/2023-04-01 09-15-38-1680362162957.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Additional snow should be light, generally less than 1-3 inches, expect in the eastern U.P., near Sault Ste. Marie. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/04-01 Snow-1680361870231.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the most up-to-date conditions on the winter that won't end in the Central U.S. - your central regional forecast is always :30 past the hour.</p>

Blizzard Conditions End As Snow Tapers in the Midwest

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<p style="font-weight: 400;">AAA expects that a record-breaking 112.5 million travelers will take to the nation’s runways, roads and rails for the year-end holidays. That number represents a 4.4 percent increase over last year and the most since AAA has been tracking holiday travel.  In other words, more than one-third of Americans will travel this holiday season.</p>
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<p style="font-weight: 400;">The more than 102 million people who will pack up their cars for a holiday road trip, INRIX, a global mobility analytics company, predicts travel times in the most congested cities in the U.S. could be as much as four times longer than a normal trip.</p>
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<p style="font-weight: 400;">So, why so busy?</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">“We're really attributing this to the strength of the economy throughout 2018,” said Tamra Johnson, Spokesperson and PR Manager with AAA National. “We see that consumer spending is strong and also unemployment numbers are low. Also travelers are getting a little break at the gas pump.”</p>
While gas has been relatively expensive throughout this year, a recent drop to the cheapest national gas price averages of the year, combined with rising disposable income, is motivating more Americans to hit the road this holiday season. Gas prices averaged $2.46 for the first week of December, which is two cents per gallon less than one year ago.

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<p style="font-weight: 400;">According to AAA, the year-end holiday travel period is defined as Saturday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. The 11-day span is one day longer than last year, due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on Tuesdays this year.</p>
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AAA advises you take plenty of extra caution if bad weather is anticipated for your travels.

“AAA projects we're going to have to rescue 960,000 travelers...mostly due to dead batteries, flat tires, and lock outs,” said Johnson. “For those that are going to be hitting the road, you want to make sure you're checking the weather not only at your current location and final destination, but all the way along your route.”

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Warm-weather destinations are top draws in the winter months, occupying nine of the top 10 spots on the list of most popular holiday destinations, based on AAA’s online and travel agency air and tour bookings.

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Check your travel forecast anytime,<a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/video/"> on demand, right here on WeatherNationTV.com </a>

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