Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

Jesse Kelley

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<p>Unfortunately, we've had back-to-back weeks with an EF-3 tornado tearing across the Central United States, causing damage, injuring people, and sadly causing fatalities. We've learned of one death associated with the Westmoreland, Kansas tornado earlier this week and our thoughts go out to those impacted. The National Weather Service has rated the Westmoreland, KS tornado an EF-3. EF is short for Enhanced Fujita and can help estimate the maximum winds within a tornado, based on the extent of storm damage.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1785437957110858030" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1785437957110858030"></div><p>Our field correspondent, Brandon Clement, took this video in Westmoreland early Wednesday morning of some of the damage. There were multiple homes impacted with the roof and second-floor stories torn off. There were tractor trailers tossed around like toys. Trees were snapped in half. According to local media, at least 20 buildings sustained irreparable damage.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/VO_050124_RNC_WESTMORELAND, KS_DRONE VIEW OF TORNADO DAMAGE_WHATSAPP_BRANDON CLEMENT_KW_E050124-1714570595498.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The severe weather risk continues into Friday morning for west Texas and much of the central Plains, after a few tornadoes were confirmed in open country Thursday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3 out of 5) for overnight across west Texas near a dryline, where storms could produce huge hail as well as a tornado or two. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714690354197.png"></p><p>Showers and storms are ongoing now in Texas and Central Plains. Individual storms should cluster together overnight and move eastward, changing from a hail and tornado threat to a wind and flood threat after midnight. However, as those storms weaken, more strong storms may form along a stalled cold front in Oklahoma, moving into the ArkLaTex by Friday morning.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714690672865.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h1>Friday</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714690820648.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2-1714690848158.png"></p><p>On Friday, a new low develops off the Rockies to bring another chance of severe weather for the Plains! The biggest threat will be gusty winds and hail, but there is a non-zero tornado potential in far western Kansas. Just the last few systems, it will be another late evening and nighttime event as thunderstorms roll across the area. Heavy rain is possible again over these very saturated soils of the Plains.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714690946088.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Kara James

Tornado Threat Targeting the Nation's Heartland

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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>!

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<p>This weekend an incoming storm system will bring widespread wet weather to the West Coast, including high elevation mountain snow!</p><p>A low-pressure system moves out of the Pacific Ocean and slides onto the West Coast Friday. This incoming storm system pulls in moisture from the Pacific in addition to lift and cold air to get rain and mountain snow across the West.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-30 14-20-53-1714510761654.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The associated cold front moves onshore Friday with heavy coastal and low elevation rain. Overnight as cold air swings in behind the front, rain turns to high elevation mountain snow. As temperatures fall throughout the day Saturday more rain turns to snow, especially in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. Steady snow continues into Sunday for the highest elevations with rain for lower elevations.</p><p></p><p>Winter alerts have been issued for the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the heaviest snow is expected to fall this weekend. Snow totals could be upwards of 9" in spots above 5,000 feet of elevation.</p><p>Throughout the weekend, the highest snow totals will be in the mountains. Snowfall in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington will be on a similar total amount as the Sierra. Heavy coastal rain of 1-3" in from Washington to northern California could cause brief flooding issues, primarily Friday and early Saturday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSW CA-1714705691088.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/FORECAST-1714705809876.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSW accum-1714682775161.png">If it feels like snow is falling late into the season, you may be surprised to know that the season's last snow for many West Coast communities lingers into May and for the highest elevations, even into June!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/est avg snowfall-1714510694011.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the forecast for the upcoming weekend.</p>

Patrick Crawford

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

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<p>Heavy rainfall Wednesday night and Thursday morning closed several roads across southeast Texas due to a high amount of water on the roadway. Radar estimates have shown totals near a foot northeast of Houston around the Livingston and Huntsville, TX area. Ground truth observations from reliable weather stations verify those estimates, accumulating up to nearly 10 inches in parts of the Lone Star State!</p><p>Looking ahead, a flood watch remains in effect for southeast Texas and western Louisiana Friday for the potential of additional flooding. As we look ahead towards the long term, river flooding will be a concern near the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers as upstream dams release water southward! Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for areas along the east fork of the San Jacinto River northeast of Houston.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSC FFA-1714680187261.png"></p><p>For the rest of Thursday, a Moderate Risk of flooding continues for parts of SE TX and SW LA. Any additional heavy rain in these areas will quickly runoff and add to the flooding risk that is still ongoing for some. A "moderate" risk of excessive rainfall, meaning numerous flooding occurrences will be likely and you will want to seek higher ground in the event of heavy rain. Avoid floodwaters and seek higher ground. Never drive through these flooded roads either!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714689585461.png"></p><p></p><p>In addition to the heavy rainfall, large hail, strong winds, and a few tornadoes will be possible in parts of Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas overnight. The highest risk of severe weather will occur in the Enhanced Risk in West Texas. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSC SPC today-1714682835175.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714689938079.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Numerous Roads in Texas Impassable Earlier Today

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<p>Numerous high temperature records fell across the Northeast Thursday, including parts of the Interstate 95 corridor! For example, Washington D.C reached a daytime high of 91 degrees and the normal high for this time of the year is 73 degrees!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714689163309.png"></p><h2>Northeast</h2><p>The warmth continues on Friday in the mid-Atlantic while we start to see cold air intrusion in New England. Temperatures fall through the weekend back towards or below average. The reason for the cool down in New England is a cold front that moves on Thursday. It won't produce a whole lot of wet weather, but a few isolated showers in coastal Massachusetts and Maine are possible. More showers arrive with an additional system on Saturday and will contribute to a larger cool-down for the Midwest.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-02 070843-1714655381249.png">Southeast</h2><p>The heat will also impact the Southeast, and while it won't necessarily be record-setting, it will be about 10-15 degrees above normal. Highs jump into the 90s in Florida Peninsula with close to 90 even up into central Alabama. The above average warmth and humidity will help lead to daily chances of afternoon thunderstorms.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-02 070852-1714655390684.png">There is confidence in the above-average temperature forecasting continuing through the next couple of weeks. We expect above-average temperatures from the Carolinas through the Gulf Coast!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-02 071007-1714655415816.png"></p>

Temps Climb on the East Coast

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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>Similar areas that have been at risk since the end of April will experience another bout of severe weather on Monday, May 6th. The Storm Prediction Center [SPC] has issued the severe weather outlook from central Nebraska through northern Texas, indicating high confidence in the severe weather potential. </p><p>This is thanks to another wave of energy from the Pacific moving east throughout the weekend, providing enough lift to support storm development. At the surface we have moisture streaming north contributing to instability ahead of a surface cold front. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-01 10-51-01-1714583042845.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The central and southern Plains are a bullseye for severe weather in May. The moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and cooler air from Canada clash over Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, elevating the severe threat. We know this is another day of severe weather on the horizon, but please don't let severe weather fatigue get the best of you.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/BULLESYE-1714582936940.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on the severe weather threat ahead in early May. </p>

Monday Severe Weather Threat Hits the Plains Again

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>Welcome to May! The month normally boasts severe storms, Mother's Day and later sunsets. This weekend will be the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday evening - and rain could affect things.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Summer countdown-1714568488325.png">A dynamic upper-level low will bring the shot at some storms on Friday to parts of the Ohio River Valley, but models are hinting at a fast moving wave joining the party late Friday night into Saturday. That could meet up with enough moisture to keep scattered showers around northern Kentucky into the first day of the weekend. This is where it could be raining around race-time (below).</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/GFS for KY-1714568498978.png">The Kentucky Derby says on its website that it's a "rain or shine" event, so no delays are expected. However, the conditions could be a little muddy for the horses when the gates open Saturday at 6:57 PM ET.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/kentucky derby daypart-1714568509182.png"></p>

Jackie Brown

Trotting Around Rain Chances at the 150th Kentucky Derby

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<p>Spring snow opportunities continue in the Rocky Mountains, with snow expected through the middle of the week from the Cascades of Oregon to the Rockies of Montana, the Tetons of Wyoming, and the Front Range of Colorado. The snow is especially welcomed at ski resorts that are still open. Breckenridge is expected to stay open through May 12th, and Snowbird in Utah is expected to close on Memorial Day Weekend!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/nwww-1714613142940.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>This active pattern is all thanks to two areas of low pressure in our upper atmosphere, known as "double barrel lows," that follow one right after the other. The low-pressure systems pull in moisture and energy to produce high-elevation snowfall and rainfall for the lower elevations.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-30 10-31-43-1714495076445.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Steady snow continues in the highest elevations of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado through Wednesday, with another round of moisture moving onshore for Oregon, mostly as rain. The bottom line is that it stays unsettled in our highest peaks through the end of the week. Snowfall totals will be 6"+ for areas over 8,000' where winter weather advisories are in effect for Montana mountains.</p>

Spring Snow in the Mountain West

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Hot and dry conditions in California continue to cause problems for firefighters.

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Temperatures have been lingering in the 90s and 100s drying out the trees and grasses.

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Gusty conditions help spread fires very rapidly.

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The Pawnee Fire has grown 3,000 acres in the past 24 hours with containment only being at 25 percent. Hot and dry weather will dominate California over the course of the next 5 days.

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For WeatherNation -Meteorologist Shelly Lindblade

California Fires Continue to Burn

Tornado Threat Targeting the Nation's Heartland

Unfortunately, we've had back-to-back weeks w

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

This weekend an incoming storm system will br

Numerous Roads in Texas Impassable Earlier Today

Heavy rainfall Wednesday night and Thursday m

Temps Climb on the East Coast

Numerous high temperature records fell across

Monday Severe Weather Threat Hits the Plains Again

Similar areas that have been at risk since th

Trotting Around Rain Chances at the 150th Kentucky Derby

Welcome to May! The month normally boasts sev

Spring Snow in the Mountain West

Spring snow opportunities continue in the Roc