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>A frontal boundary stretched across half of the country will continue to bring episodes of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain as it stalls out. Significant hail has impacted Texas over the last few days, and Thursday was no different. Hail up to the size of grapefruits was produced in severe storms earlier this afternoon! This pattern will continue again Friday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-01 172218-1746141745197.png"><strong>FRIDAY SEVERE OUTLOOK</strong></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/PIC 1-1746190095625.jpg">Showers and storms were already going in the south this morning and that pattern will continue for Friday afternoon and evening.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/FORECAST-1746190303473.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The combination of repeated rounds of thunderstorms, especially earlier in the week, has left soils saturated in portions of eastern Oklahoma, northeast Texas, and western Arkansas. More heavy rain and flooding is possible with these future storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746154545238.png"> For the latest information<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">,</span> tune into WeatherNation!</p>

Patrick Crawford

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across The South Friday

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<p>A huge digging upper level low is heading from the Pacific Ocean down into the Southwestern United States this weekend into next week. As the upper low moves onshore, it will bring an unsettled pattern to the West and drop high temperatures down big time. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746155887272.png"></p><p>Cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas will see temperatures dip below normal this weekend by at least ten degrees. I could imagine getting a break from the typical warmth this time of year is great news for the residents.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746155917470.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746155595056.png"></p><p>On the precipitation side of things, the Southwest will scattered showers and storms and some snow showers starting this weekend and lasting into next week. Some severe chances could be possible across the Eastern Plains of Colorado early next week. In addition, some heavy rain could cause some isolated flooding too. For the higher terrains, this event could bring in some much needed snow to keep the ski resorts open a little while longer across parts of the Rockies and Sierra. Keep up with the forecast as amounts will likely change daily.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746155807490.png"></p>

Brittany Lockley

Big Pattern Shake Up for the West Upcoming

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<p>Louisville is gearing up for the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday at Churchill Downs, but weather conditions leading up to the big race could put a damper on some of the festivities.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 050024-1746010833872.png"></p><p><strong>Unsettled Weather Ahead of the Derby</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>A series of popular events, including the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, are set to draw large crowds. However, showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through the area throughout the week, potentially impacting plans.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/New Baron Video 3-1746154870676.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p><strong>Derby Day Outlook: A Break in the Clouds</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Fortunately, the forecast improves as we head into Saturday. While some lingering showers may still be around in the morning, forecasters expect any rain to clear out by midday. This should allow time for the Churchill Downs track to begin drying out ahead of the Derby’s scheduled post time at 6:57 p.m. ET.&nbsp;</p><p>Still, after a soggy week, conditions underfoot are unlikely to be ideal. Do not expect the fast track surface seen in recent years—this year could see slower, wetter conditions like 2019, when a "sloppy" track followed light rainfall, or even 2018, which saw more than 3 inches of rain on race day.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Cooler Temperatures in the Mix</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Behind the departing rain, cooler air will settle in. Saturday's highs are expected to stay in the 60s, a touch below average for early May but comfortable for racegoers dressed for the occasion.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 205908-1746068359193.png"></p><p>Heading to Churchill Downs this week? Pack an umbrella and prepare for changing conditions. While Derby Day looks mostly dry, the lead-up could be a wet one.</p><p>Now the fun part, how will this weather affect the horses? From blazing sunshine to torrential rain, the conditions on Derby Day can significantly influence the race's outcome and the experience for horses, jockeys, trainers, and fans alike 🏇</p><p style="text-align: start"></p><p style="text-align: start">🏇 <strong>Precipitation:</strong> Track conditions are the most immediate and noticeable way weather affects the Derby. Rain can quickly turn the usually fast dirt track into a sloppy or muddy surface, altering the performance of certain horses and jockeys. Some horses, known as “mudders,” thrive in wet conditions, while others struggle. For instance, in the rain-soaked 2019 Derby, the muddy track played a role in a dramatic finish that included the controversial disqualification of Maximum Security. Handicappers and bettors pay close attention to forecasts, knowing that a change in weather could shift the odds significantly.</p><p style="text-align: start"></p><p style="text-align: start">🏇 <strong>Temperature</strong> is another critical factor. A warm &amp; humid race day can drain a horse's stamina, especially those not acclimated to the heat and humidity. Trainers often adjust their preparation and hydration strategies depending on the expected weather. Cooler temperatures, on the other hand, may benefit certain horses with more endurance and less speed.</p><p style="text-align: start"></p><p style="text-align: start">🏇 <strong>Wind</strong> also plays a subtle but real role in racing dynamics. A strong headwind down the backstretch can tire front-running horses earlier than expected, while a tailwind might benefit late closers. Though less obvious than mud or rain, wind direction and speed can change race strategies and even alter the pace of the race.</p><p style="text-align: start">In a race where every fraction of a second matters, weather isn’t just a background variable—it’s a potential game-changer. Whether the sun is shining or rain is pouring, the conditions on Derby Day can leave a lasting imprint!</p>

Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby Week Events

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

Alana Cameron

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<p>The forecast remains wet in the southern plains through the end of the week. The area is still recovering from the heavy rain last weekend. Parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas have seen 24-hour rainfall totals over half a foot.</p><p></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1917692940794880495" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1917692940794880495"></div><p>A Flood Watch continues for parts of Central Oklahoma overnight and into Friday morning. With heavy thunderstorms moving across the area after midnight, we could see another round of severe weather and flash flooding.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-01 205855-1746154749731.png"></p><p>Models continue to push heavy rainfall into parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas through the end of the week. An additional 2-4" of rainfall will be possible by Friday afternoon, with the heaviest focused across Oklahoma and Arkansas. A Slight Risk of flooding is possible through Friday across the Southern Plains.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-01 205941-1746154787653.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746140121576.png">Many areas have already seen significant rainfall. These locations will be more susceptible to flooding. Please listen to any flash flood warning that is issued for your area and seek higher ground immediately.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044641-1746010008579.png">As we wrapped up April, Oklahoma City, after last Wednesday's rainfall, bumped the city up to having the wettest April on record!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-01 065455-1746104105945.png">For more details, be sure to join us on WeatherNation!</p>

Flooding Threat Continues in Oklahoma Friday Morning

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<p></p><p><strong>OHIO VALLEY -</strong> After a very stormy and wet month of April in the Ohio Valley, we're starting May the same way! Some folks across the Ohio Valley and Northeast are still without power from our early week storms as we brace for our next round of severe weather.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-01 173344-1746142440237.png"></p><p>As we head into Friday, severe storms will remain possible into the Ohio Valley and Northeastern U.S. as a frontal boundary triggers storms. By Friday, the risk for severe thunderstorms is again <strong>SLIGHT</strong> (level 2 out of 5) down into Kentucky and Tennessee, where instability will be greater and the front stalls.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1746140483479.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/New Baron Video 3-1746154098082.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Storms Back in the Ohio Valley and Northeast Tonight

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Chris Tomer

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<p>A cold front and area of low pressure slide through Colorado 4/30 into 5/1. Rain and snow are likely.</p><h1>How Much Accumulation?</h1><p>Rain hits Denver and the Front Range between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Up to six inches of snow is possible above 9,000ft.</p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/tomer co rain snow-1746059165407.jpg">Timing</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/tomer west futurecast-1746059278789.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Closing Dates</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/tomer ski closing dates-1745778957875.jpg">Enjoy the slopes while you can! Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.</p>

Rain For Denver, Snow For The Mountains

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>Fire weather concerns have been all too common in the northeast this month. The Jones Road Fire has burned over 15,000 acres but the containment has crept up to 75%</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1916917497808167300" src="https://x.com/njdepforestfire/status/1916917497808167300"></div><p>The winds will kick up again this afternoon, so any additional grass fire that ignites could spread quickly.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-29 124943-1745958299557.png">As dry as it is, we're only waiting on some wind to stir up fire concerns. Today, the winds will gust to 30 mph. Another soaking rain will go a long way in helping out. Rain that comes without severe chances would be nice</p><p>Related Article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-possible-from-new-york-to-texas-today">Severe Storms Threaten the Northeast Today</a></p><p>But wait! There's more</p><p>All of that unsettled weather in the southern plains will pull into the northeast later this week, so keep the rain jacket close by!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-29 073918-1745934007429.png">Thursday and Friday look to be the wettest from the Ohio River Valley to the New England states. While the severe threat appears pretty limited at this time, with a <strong>MARGINAL</strong> risk for severe storms on Thursday, the flooding threat will move in too.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-29 073934-1745934078262.png">While it might ruin some plans outside toward the end of the week, the Kentucky Derby is looking dry this weekend!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-29 07-39-48-1745934151361.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

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In early 2017, California was coming out of a historic drought that lasted for five years.  Heavy rainfall during the wet season filled California's reservoirs.  But a big factor in drought recovery, was the snowfall during the winter of 2016-2017.  Last winter, an abundance of snow fell across the Sierra Nevada.  But this year, it's a very different story.  Snowpack is well below average.

Checking out the numbers in the two images below, most of the Sierra Nevada snow levels are running below 40% of normal.  Snow water equivalent values in Lake Tahoe are only 27% of normal.

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<img class="alignnone wp-image-87352 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/02/california2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="744" />

<img class="alignnone wp-image-87355 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/02/california5.jpg" alt="" width="695" height="908" />

But a picture of the snowpack last year, versus this year, really tells the story.  The image on the left shows heavy snowpack on the Sierra Nevada on January 28th, 2017.  The image on the right shows the lack of snowpack on the same area as of February 8th, 2018.  The average snow depth across the Sierra Nevada is currently just 3.4 inches.  Last year, at the same time, the average snow depth was 46.0 inches.

<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/02/california1.jpg" />

So far this winter, most of the storm tracks have been starting in the northwest, and tracking to the southeast.  These tracks have kept the eastern U.S. colder and wetter than average.  However, much of the southwest has missed out on moisture from these storms, staying warmer and drier than usual.  A persistent ridge of high pressure off the California coast, has been blocking the storms from the Pacific.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-87364 size-large" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/02/california6-1-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

However, it looks like early next week, high pressure will be replaced by low pressure.  This will funnel in Pacific moisture, and bring some rain and snow chances for the southwest.

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Water levels in California's reservoirs are still fairly high, so there are no immediate concerns.  However, a dry winter means less spring and summer snow-melt, which helps keep reservoir levels high during the dry summer months.  Hopefully low pressure systems will become more common for the remainder of winter, and the overall pattern will change from dry to wet.  California and much of the southwest would benefit greatly from more rain and more mountain snow.

For WeatherNation:  Meteorologist Matt Monroe

California Snow Totals Are Way Down This Year, After Drought Breaking Snowfall in 2017.

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across The South Friday

A frontal boundary stretched across half of t

Big Pattern Shake Up for the West Upcoming

A huge digging upper level low is heading fro

Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby Week Events

Louisville is gearing up for the 151st Kentuc

Flooding Threat Continues in Oklahoma Friday Morning

The forecast remains wet in the southern plai

Storms Back in the Ohio Valley and Northeast Tonight

OHIO VALLEY - After a very stormy and wet mon

Rain For Denver, Snow For The Mountains

A cold front and area of low pressure slide t

Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

Fire weather concerns have been all too commo