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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Beginning at 4 PM CT on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center began issuing forecasts for newly-developed Tropical Depression Two. The storm will stay south of the United States as it hangs out in the Gulf of Mexico. TD2 could briefly become a tropical storm before quickly weakening into a depression by the weekend. Even though we have already had our first system of the year (back in January), if this storm gets a name, it will become "Arlene".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/6-1 TD2 9pm fan-1685674834240.png">TD 2 is expected to weaken rapidly by early Saturday morning as it approaches a more hostile environment near western Cuba. It will become a remnant low this weekend.Showers and storms develop around the tropical system over the next few days. The heaviest and most widespread rainfall is expected through central and southern Florida during the end of this week. As the low moves south, into the southern Gulf of Mexico, it will draw moisture away from the I-10 corridor through the weekend. A secondary low could form in the Atlantic (around the Bahamas) this weekend, brining back shower development along the Atlantic coastline.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/4-1685658919584.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Regardless of tropical status or strength, over the next three days, the heaviest rainfall will favor southern Florida with the risk of over 5" in spots. Generally, Florida's soils can handle this amount of moisture, but given how saturated some areas are flooding could definitely take place.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/6-1 RSE FL accum-1685675017609.png">As a result, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted the risk for excessive rainfall through southern and central Florida over the next 3 days. Additionally, a flood watch is in effect through Friday night for southern Florida for 2-4" of rain, with 6"+ possible in localized areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/05/2-1685564511431.jpg">Due to the proximity of the tropical system, waves will be higher with rough surf along Florida's west coast and the central Gulf Coast on Friday. Be careful if you plan on going to the beaches, or wait until later in the weekend when the rip current threat lessens. Even strong swimmers can be swept out to sea in a rip current.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/6-1 RSE Rip current-1685675133224.png">For more on the wet weather forecast in the Sunshine State and for eyes on the Gulf, stay with WeatherNation for the latest forecast information.

Tropical Depression Two Has Formed in the Gulf of Mexico

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A stagnant pattern continues to produce severe thunderstorms through the western and central United States. Over the last two days, wind and hail reports have been common from South Dakota through Texas (ABOVE).<h2>Overnight</h2>Although the threat for severe weather is decreasing, a few more strong storms are possible in eastern New Mexico and far west Texas. A brief tornado and large hail are the primary threats but damaging wind gusts of 60-70 mph cannot be ruled out either. Heavy rain could also cause localized flooding so use extra caution if you'll be out on the roads.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/SW Thu OVN SPC-1685670552843.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/SW Thu OVN Tor-1685670697172.jpg"><h1>Friday</h1>Another risk of severe storms returns to the Southern Plains on Friday, pushing into the I-35 corridor in Oklahoma and Kansas. An elevated risk for SIGNIFICANT HAIL (2" or larger) in the orange region is highlighted in western Texas. Hail is the primary severe weather concern, including the risk for giant hail in western Texas where hail stones could build to tennis ball size. This same region is where we have the potential for tornadoes - between Lubbock and Fort Stockton.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/enhanced-1685641941777.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/tor fri-1685641952018.jpg">A few showers could be around early, but the main event is likely to begin just after noon in the Panhandles. Complexes of strong storms are possible with enough energy to push through I-35 in the evening and overnight hours. These storms mean business with more organized wind energy from Lubbock to Wichita Falls into Dallas and more individual supercells towards the Big Bend of Texas.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/2023-06-01 05-58-16-1685621606296.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rain totals will be around an inch areawide, but locally higher rain totals of 2-4" are possible through early Saturday morning. Soils are saturated especially in the Texas panhandle and eastern New Mexico, from the last month's worth of storms producing heavy rain. It will be easier here to get pockets of flash flooding, including ponding on the roads. Please be careful when driving and never drive into a flooded road!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/6-1 RSC accum-1685648908766.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/WPC Friday TX-1685670853536.jpg">Check back for updates and tune in to continue to follow this developing story on WeatherNation!

Severe Weather Continues Across the Great Plains

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Cassie Nall

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A ridge of high pressure is helping to boost temperatures for the start of meteorological summer with highs running about 10-15° above average Friday. However, by the weekend we will see an upper level low dive south, drastically dropping temperatures (ABOVE).Numerous record highs were tied or broken across the region on Thursday, including in Millinocket, Maine and Burlington, Vermont where temperatures soared to 96°!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/NE Record Highs Thursday-1685670061621.jpg">More records are in jeopardy Friday with 90-degree heat possible well into northern New England where we usually don't see the 90s until late June. The heat won't make it past the weekend here thanks to a strong cold front that will also bring some much-needed rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/NE Potential Records FRI-1685670216438.jpg">The low will drag in much colder air with it, making temperatures plunge 20-30 degrees in 24 hours! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/NE Weekend Temps-1685670265066.jpg"><h2>Colder &amp; Wetter Weekend</h2>Get ready for a major change this weekend. We go from highs in the 80s and 90s Friday to the 50s and 60s for the weekend ahead. Upper level cold air combined with a surface front work together to drop our temperatures drastically! We will also see a few storms on Friday afternoon in the Northeast, playing off those temperature differences. The same front then pushes into the Carolinas on Saturday, producing storms there too. Some of these thunderstorms could be on the stronger side with damaging winds possible.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/NE Futurecast-1685670424530.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We need the rainfall though - many cities on the East Coast are experiencing some of their driest Springs in history and drought conditions have been expanding over the past few weeks. Any rain, no matter how small the totals, will be welcome.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/NE Dry May-1685670461466.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/NE Drought June 1-1685670466584.jpg">For more on the temperature extremes impacting the U.S., join WeatherNation for your latest top weather headlines, always streaming 24/7.

Record Heat Friday - Huge Changes for the Weekend in the Northeast

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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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There will be heavy rainfall over the Plains States for several days as a few factors come into play. An onshore flow in the upper atmosphere bringing in Pacific moisture will meet with a surface low transporting Gulf moisture north. These two sources of moisture aid in producing showers and thunderstorms that will bring significant rainfall, prompting flood alerts. Showers and storms fire off the higher terrain through the evening hours over the next few days, moving from north to south. We will see storms carry into the overnight hours, especially in Montana and northern Idaho. While widespread severe weather is not likely, a few stronger storms are possible along the Wyoming/Nebraska border on Thursday and on Friday once again for Colorado's Front Range.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/2023-06-01 16-37-42-1685659148234.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Flooding will be a concern, as we see days of additional rain and heavy rainfall. Some cities like Bozeman, Montana, have already seen heavy rain. Bozeman broke the daily record yesterday with 1.00" of rain for May 31st. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/record rainfall bozeman-1685659269260.jpg">Excessive rainfall will be a big concern, especially where the Weather Prediction Center has highlighted the risk into Friday. Upwards of 3" will be possible along the I-90 and I-25 corridors of the northern Rockies. A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for central Montana and eastern Wyoming due to heavy rainfall causing flooding. Watch out for rivers, creeks, and streams to be running high.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/slot0-1685649171925.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/slot0-1685649313975.jpg">For more information and updates with this system, tune into WeatherNation for :50 past the hour for our Western Regional Forecast.

Flood Threat for the Northern Rockies This Week

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A cutoff area of low pressure is migrating from the Pacific into the Four Corners region in the Southwest U.S. This storm system is overall weak but will still provide enough upper-level energy to assist with daily thunderstorm development over the Southwest. Flood alerts are in effect over the Texas Panhandle and Northeast New Mexico where we expect moisture in our upper atmosphere to collide with the dryline, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Severe%20Weather%20Continues%20Across%20the%20Great%20Plains">producing widespread showers and storms</a>, which will continue heavy rainfall. This region has seen much above average rainfall within the last month, and while it should help the ongoing drought conditions, additional rainfall could overwhelm the soils. Amarillo, Texas has seen the sixth wettest May ever! Rainfall totals were over 300 percent with 7.36" for the month of May.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/amarillo tx -1685658889224.jpg">The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted the risk of excessive rainfall today where the flood alerts is in place, meaning confidence in the flood potential due to torrential rainfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/flood alerts tx-1685654480170.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/wpc-1685654418265.jpg">Thunderstorms develop in the heat of the day over the higher terrain, some of which will be severe through the Texas panhandle. Most however, will be heavy rainstorms with lightning as well. Watch out for washes/ditches as they will fill quickly during these storms and low lying areas will flood quickly. On Friday, the severe weather threat will be for Colorado's Eastern Plains once again into western Kansas. Our primary threat will be for damaging winds and hail.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/2023-06-01 15-19-40-1685654576991.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We expect the heaviest rainfall to continue today and Friday with rainfall totals in the Texas panhandle on the order of 4-5".In the high country of Colorado we see the potential for new snowfall, which could be heavy for elevations over 11,000'. While it is not uncommon to see snow in June, if you are traveling into the mountains you may not expect it, so be sure to go slowly over the high mountain passes and pack layers!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/sw rain-1685633245129.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/co snow-1685633341842.jpg">Additional flood concerns sit across the rest of the Southwest where lingering snowpack and daily thunderstorm activity can lead to excessive runoff through our rivers, creeks and streams. Please do not drive through flooded roadways and watch out if you live near a recent area burn scar. Expect daily showers and storms that mostly develop over the higher terrain, and while we may only get a quick 0.5" of rain, it can overwhelm the ground. While storms won't likely reach severe criteria (58 mph winds or 1 inch hail), they will still be capable of producing gusty winds, small hail, and the threat of frequent lightning. Remember, "When thunder roars, head indoors". For more on the Southwest forecast, join us for your Western Regional Forecast, always :50 past the hour.

Cutoff Low Brings Flood Threat to the Southwest

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Welcome to the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season as it begins on June 1. Hurricane season in the Atlantic basin runs from June 1 through November 30 every year as it is when climatologically, the most hurricanes form. Sometimes we can have tropical systems outside of the window, and did, as recently as January 2023, when a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/nhc-determines-sub-tropical-storm-formed-off-the-northeast-coast-in-january">subtropical low</a> formed off the U.S. East Coast. Now, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has identified TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO in the Gulf. This year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is calling for a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/noaa-releases-2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-outlook">"near normal" season forecast</a> in their range of storms. They balance the impact of El Nino and the warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic basin for the reasoning behind their forecast. Colorado State University forecasters originally called for a "below average" season in their initial outlook on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/colorado-state-university-releases-2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-outlook">April 13</a>. However, an update to their forecast on June 1 called for an increase in the number of named storms from 13 to 15 and the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes each increased by 1 to the forecast (new numbers below).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/new numbers-1685636118824.jpg">This year looks to be a bit different than the previous three seasons, the reasoning being that we are now into an ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) Neutral state, where there are no large scale interactions between waters in the equatorial pacific ocean and the atmosphere. The last three years we were in a La Nina, which contributes to an above average hurricane season. In 2020 and 2021 we saw above average (the #1 and #2 most active seasons on record) in the Atlantic Basin. In 2022, we have a near normal season with 14 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/ian-and-fiona-officially-retired-from-hurricane-names-list">Fiona and Ian, both names have since been retired</a>). If you remember the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/hurricane-prep-week-2023-ian-now-the-3rd-costliest-in-us-history">2022 season</a>, we had quite the lull in activity during July and August, before the season reared its head in September. There is high confidence that we transition from ENSO Neutral into an El Nino pattern later this year, around the peak of hurricane season in mid-September. El Nino years typically have below average storm conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/06/el nino-1685636025931.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation throughout the tropical weather season for the latest forecast updates, storm tracks and impacts. We are always streaming 24/7 for free!

Welcome to the Start of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season

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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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The Storm Prediction Center has issued a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for portions of Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin. Hail will be the main threat but damaging winds will also be likely. This follows hail from the same system on Monday in the Dakotas.The peak of storm activity will be associated with warmer afternoon temperatures before letting up by the evening. Storms continue into the overnight hours, as more moisture and energy arrive from the west.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/05/mnstorms-1685490007006.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Forecast rainfall totals will be locally higher where stronger storms are expected to move through. Currently, there is a risk of excessive rain that may lead to localized flooding. Since there is a persistent and slow-moving pattern, some storms are capable of producing up to 3" of rainfall. This would be good news for the drought in western Iowa.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/05/rainfall-1685461597072.jpg">More on this story can be watched live at :30 minutes past the hour during the Central Regional forecast. Join us!

Strong Storms for Minnesota & Iowa

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Blizzard conditions are in full swing across much of the midwest. Chicago is NOW included in the Blizzard Warning in effect for the next 12-24 hours.

Visibility levels are down to a quarter mile or less in some spots due to the prolonged winds gusting close to 30-40 mph creating white-out conditions.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-100280" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/11/Capture-33-728x408.jpg" alt="Blizzard Warnings Continue For The Midwest" width="879" height="492" />

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Rain will change over to snow for Chicago late tonight into early Monday morning where approximately 8-12" of snow is expected to accumulate very fast.

Winds will gust close to 45 mph for Chicago through Monday morning knocking visibility levels down to a 1/4 mile or less for your morning commute.

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<img class="alignnone wp-image-100281" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/11/ezgif.com-video-to-gif-17-1.gif" alt="Blizzard Warnings Continue For The Midwest" width="880" height="497" />

Conditions for Chicago will rapidly go down hill beginning this evening between 6 - 8 pm.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-100284" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/11/ezgif.com-video-to-gif-18-1.gif" alt="Blizzard Warnings Continue For The Midwest" width="879" height="495" />

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<img class="alignnone wp-image-100283" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/11/Capture-35-728x408.jpg" alt="Blizzard Warnings Continue For The Midwest" width="873" height="489" />

Conditions will not improve for Illinois until the afternoon hours on Monday as winds will remain strong even after the snow tapers off.

Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/merry-matthews/">Merry Matthews</a>

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