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>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>Saturday</h2><p>Our storm threat on Saturday is a <strong>MODERATE</strong> (level 4 out of 5) risk that extends from Emporia, 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/spc-1714225062918.jpg"></p><p>Today's heating is assisting thunderstorm development along a dryline in Western Texas and Oklahoma. Individual storms through the early evening bring a strong tornado, giant hail and damaging wind threat. 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 2-1714252427484.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/2024/04/04-27 SVR Sun-Mon w SPC-1714244722989.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Flood Threat</h2><p>In addition to the severe weather, there is high end flood threat. The most vulnerable spots for flooding will be Missouri, eastern Kansas, central Oklahoma and northern Texas. Many places 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>

Jesse Kelley

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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<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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Caitlin Connell

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<p>Snow has been falling in the Intermountain West this weekend! More than a foot of snow was recorded 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/2024/04/1-1714252768578.png"></p><p>Widespread moisture through the region keeps rain and snow around through the evening. 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 2-1714252994126.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>It's a rare sight to have winter alerts AND a severe threat in the same spot, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Colorado! There's a chance for snow in the higher elevations of the Rockies, and storms are possible along the foothills of them.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/1-1714253120265.png"></p><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/2024/04/04-27 RSW accum-1714247880335.png">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>

Spring Snow on the Horizon in Colorado

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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>

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>

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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<p>A critical fire risk is in place for west Texas, eastern Colorado, and New Mexico through the next few days 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 single digits and 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/Screenshot 2024-02-26 113946-1714134189244.jpg">Strong winds are anticipated on Friday, especially through New Mexico. Winds will be sustained along the Front Range of New Mexico and Colorado between 30-50 mph with isolated wind gusts over 65 mph. If a flame starts, it will move as quickly as the winds, at about 40 mph. We can't stress enough how critical this week's fire risk is.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/forecast-1714134246383.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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Following an abnormally dry winter, the southwestern US was off to a rough start for the Spring and Summer months with drought categories climbing to extreme to exceptional conditions yielding the ignition of several fires now consuming thousands of acres.

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With dry fuels in place, this leaves the land vulnerable for wildfires as conditions continue to heat up across the area. Unfortunately, several states now contending with active wildfires in the region from parts of the western New Mexico in the Gila National Forest all the way north into parts of the San Juans around Durango, CO where the 416 Fire has already scorched 25,900 acres and only 15% contained.

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Thankfully, good news coming out of the Ute Park Fire in New Mexico which is nearly 100% contained but the charred land left behind will make much of the terrain susceptible to mudslides as the area is forecasted to receive heavy rain by the weekend.

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So where is the good news? The good news is there is rain in the forecast for the weekend. And not just any old rain. A surge of rich, tropical moisture associated with Tropical Storm Bud will bring relief to some of these locations by the weekend.

Bud is currently churning up the coast near Cabo San Lucas, MX.  Rough surf and and dangerous rip currents remains the only concern as Bud continues to weaken 150 miles offshore.

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Bud is forecasted to weaken as it nears landfall around the Baja Peninsula by Thursday. What is left of Bud will continue to track into the southwest reaching southern Arizona by Friday and New Mexico and southern Colorado by Saturday.

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As many of us know, even the best medicine comes with side effects. The medicine, in this case, is the moisture of course and the side effect will be the risk for flash flooding across the desert terrain by this weekend. Please exercise caution if you plan to be in these areas this weekend. The southwest floods very easily even with only .25-.50" of rainfall.  Arizona and New Mexico can expect the first showers and storms by Saturday with more widespread tropical moisture moving into New Mexico and southwestern Colorado by Sunday.

Meteorologist Merry Matthews

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Bud Brings Moisture to Drought Stricken Southwest

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather, Flash Flooding

If it seems like April has been particularly

Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday

North Side - Nebraska & IowaSeveral teams

Spring Snow on the Horizon in Colorado

Snow has been falling in the Intermountain We

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

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

A critical fire risk is in place for west Tex

Bud Brings Moisture to Drought Stricken Southwest

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather, Flash Flooding

If it seems like April has been particularly

Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday

North Side - Nebraska &amp; IowaSeveral teams

Spring Snow on the Horizon in Colorado

Snow has been falling in the Intermountain We

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

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

A critical fire risk is in place for west Tex

North Side - Nebraska & IowaSeveral teams