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>A soggy weekend is in store for Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana as moisture in the upper levels overrides a stalled front. This moisture will lead to multiple rounds of heavy rain. Parts of West Texas suffering from extreme and severe drought conditions could use the rain. Rain can offset the dry conditions and help alleviate the fire concerns that crop up in the hot, dry summer months.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-20 071110-1713618682848.png">Most of Texas can expect 1-2" of rain, but areas of 3-5" of rain are possible through central Texas, the I-20 corridor, and the Rio Grande Valley. There could be heavy enough rain to overwhelm the soils and cause flash flooding. Never drive through flooded roadways.</p><p>Showers will start to bloom in the pre-dawn hours in north central Texas, moving into the Red River Valley by daybreak. Rounds of steady rain continue along and north of I-20 from Texas to Mississippi Saturday before the front gets shoved east in the afternoon. Heavy rain and a few strong storms will then move toward the I-35 and I-45 corridors Saturday evening and overnight. Have some indoor backup weekend plans ready.</p><p>Some storms will reach severe criteria in central and south Texas Saturday, where the Storm Prediction Center has issued a <strong>MARGINAL</strong>, low-end severe weather risk. Gusty winds will be the biggest concern within these storms. Timing-wise, expect storms to move from the west toward San Angelo in the early afternoon, moving east across the area to San Antonio, Austin and Waco around 8 pm, exiting offshore after midnight.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-20 071914-1713619176136.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-20 071920-1713619183551.png"></p><p>Cloud cover and rain will aid in our temperatures in staying cool - highs in Dallas will be about 15° below normal, with a similar fate for Little Rock and Houston.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/4-18 RSC 3 day-1713555975970.png"></p>

Brittany Lockley

Flash Flooding Possible in the Lone Star State

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<p>A cold front moved through the Southeast earlier Friday, producing isolated storms that produced quarter to half-dollar sized hail in the Carolinas. That same front will stall through the Southeast on Saturday before dropping south into Monday. Additional waves of rain and severe storms are possible -keep your umbrella handy!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-20 06-18-05-1713615613791.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The early part of Saturday morning will be dry, but cloudy. The first wave of rain comes out of Arkansas and Louisiana Saturday morning, soaking the Deep South through the afternoon and evening. A few isolated severe storms are possible too, especially along and south of I-20 in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Sunday, more showers and a few thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and evening as the front makes a final push toward the coast. Monday's storms look to fire up along the front, mostly in the afternoon, in central and south Florida.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-20 061630-1713615604744.jpg">After highs soared into the 80s the last few days, a change is coming! Temperatures stay warm for some on Saturday as the stalled front keeps the warm and humid air south of I-20. Sunday there will be a spring chill in the air as cold air drains south. Highs will have a hard time reaching the 60s!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-20 061934-1713615586121.jpg"></p>

Rob Bradley

Strong Storms in the Southeast through Monday

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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>Late Spring snow is falling in Colorado and will continue through the start of the weekend. Snow in April isn't unheard of in Colorado and the Front Range, so this isn't all that uncommon but it still may be a shock to the system! Showers and snow showers continue throughout the day on Friday and into the evening hours. A brief lull in the activity is anticipated for another round of snow and rain showers on Saturday afternoon and evening before the low-pressure system responsible for the wet weather pushes into the Plains.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/FORECAST-1713582438662.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Snowfall totals will be highest for the Front Range of Colorado outside of Denver where up to a foot is possible. A light coating is possible north of Colorado Springs into the Denver area. May ski resorts in Colorado including Steamboat, Aspen, Vail and Winter Park are all closing this weekend so this last push of snow will be welcomed if you're hitting the slopes!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/cosnowjpg-1713548575412.jpeg">Temperatures will seesaw over the next few days with cold temperatures on Saturday before warming back up into Sunday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Day1SVR-1713582497689.png"></p><p></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the snow forecast.</p>

Patrick Crawford

Late Spring Snow in Colorado

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<p>Colder air has arrived in the High Plains thanks to an upper-level low dragging in colder Canadian air south into the Midwest. Temperatures dropped into the 30s overnight for many in Iowa, and Minnesota, and even the 20s for the Dakotas. On Friday morning, there were freeze and frost advisories in effect! This cooler air will persist through the weekend.&nbsp;The cooler air also impacts the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/wet-weekend-in-the-lone-star-state"><strong><em><u>southern Plains</u></em></strong></a>, along with bringing showers and storms.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-19 070317-1713531839427.png">Typically the last freeze of the season is mid-April for areas in the central Plains, Texas Panhandle, and Appalachia. Do not be surprised if there are a few more cold nights ahead in the Plains before we hit our summer stride.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/last freeze-1713364391394.jpg">High temperatures will be cooler as well, especially Saturday when temperatures only manage the 40s and 50s. Even though this is not brutally cold for this time of year, it is still cooler than recent days.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-19 070340-1713531870887.png"></p>

Frosty Mornings in the Plains

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<p>National Park Week starts April 20th and runs through April 28th, and is a week to celebrate the over <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm"><strong><em><u>400 National Parks</u></em></strong></a>! Entrance fees will be waived on Saturday, April 20th for all parks. Throughout the week, parks will host events to highlight the unique nature of the parks, how you can volunteer, and the innovation happening across the country. National Park Week also encompasses Earth Day, on Monday, April 22nd.</p><p>At WeatherNation we spoke to some of the most popular, and lesser-known, national parks across the U.S. and highlighted them in our "Get Out and Explore" series.</p><h2>Catoctin Mountain Park (Maryland)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">This mountain park sits near the hustle and bustle of East Coast cities such as D.C. and Philly and allows people to explore the great outdoors and reconnect with nature. The heavily forested park offers hiking, camping, stargazing, and more. If you look closely you might even find old whiskey and moonshine stills during the prohibition period.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W9VRUt93epc" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Death Valley National Park (California)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Home of extreme weather, this park is known for canyons, salt flats, and North America’s lowest point. &nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4d1AmHZQRw8?si=-FBI8TOpXtvw7zoz" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Alaska)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Lake Clark in Alaska sits about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and is only accessible via small plane. This park boasts incredible wildlife and views as well as some of Alaska’s extreme weather.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U3IM3w8M1Yc?si=i22NXFs0uVL_TX3y" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Lava Beds National Park (N. California)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Sitting just south of Oregon, Lava Beds National Monument is surrounded by volcanos. Visitors can explore lava tubes ranging in difficulty from easy to expert. This gives people a chance to explore the “volcanic plumbing” of the region. &nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6c0aGmAgC38?si=BPzHjKS7iBSK5K3X" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P. (Colorado)</h2><p><span style="color: inherit">Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the steepest and narrowest canyon of the entire U.S. and sits in Southwest Colorado. The canyon provides intense changes in temperatures and is impacted by monsoon season during the summer months.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/getko7k6xv8?si=FBWTTOSZJH-3EkeR" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Badlands National Park (South Dakota)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">An “undiscovered gem” in the national park system, Badlands offers landscapes, wildlife, and spectacular stargazing. NPS recommends spending at least some time in the park at night to fully experience another side of the park.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbXfbFmDko0?si=V71zMdVtyCkH_o9K" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Manassas National Battlefield Park (Virginia)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">History lovers will love taking a trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Home of two major civil war battles, the park has acres of walking tours to explore a piece of American history.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cTg1gYAD1o8?si=nn75R3h1z054AFxh" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (New Hampshire)</h2><p>Check out the only national park dedicated to a sculpture! It doesn't open until May so mark your calendars for next month. </p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xlEEJRl0d_w?si=yPubZ3-sANBW6iiQ" start="0"></iframe></div><h2></h2>

National Park Week: Get Out and Explore

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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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<p>It has been a busy week as severe weather ripped through the Great Plains, causing several tornadoes in Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio. Another storm system fired up a new round of severe storms Thursday from Illinois through Texas, including a line of tornado-warned storms in St. Louis, MO.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1781092373797151114" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1781092373797151114"></div><p>Large hail and tornadoes were the focus of the northern severe weather threat, impacting Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana through late Thursday night. There were reports of large hail and wind around the Kansas City and St. Louis metros. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/pic3png-1713495626310.png">Large hail was caught on camera in central Missouri on Thursday afternoon too as strong storms rolled in. </p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1781299210027237645" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1781299210027237645"></div><p>Strong storms also produced damaging winds and tornadoes for Mississippi and northern Alabama on Thursday night. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/VO_041824_RSE_ROLLING FORK,MS_TERRIFIC SHOT OF A HAIL CORE IN THE EASTERN MS REGION_WHATSAPP_BRANDON CLEMENT_DO_E041924-1713533366773.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

More Tornadoes and Severe Weather in the Midwest

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Minnesota has air quality concerns for the weekend. An Air Quality Alert has been issued for fine particulate matter across all of the state through midday Sunday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued this alert due to smoke from wildfires in western Canada continuing to impact the state's air quality.

The <a href="https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&amp;stateid=24&amp;mapcenter=0&amp;tabs=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air Quality Indices</a> (AQIs) will range from 101 to 150, which is a range where the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups of people - people with lung or heart disease, older adults and children that are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. These groups should limit their prolonged exertion, especially if outdoors or near a source of pollution.

<img class="wp-image-95266 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/AQI-Saturday-1.jpg" alt="Air Quality Concerns for Entire State of Minnesota" width="525" height="400" /> Source: AirNow.Gov

The forecast late Saturday into Sunday does call for improving air quality as wind speeds up and turns southwesterly, helping to clear the smoke out of the region.

For WeatherNation, I am Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/marcus-walter/">Marcus Walter</a>.

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