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 unfortunately 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 Thursday for eastern Kansas and much of the Plains. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) across much of the Central U.S. indicating a couple of storms here and there that may cause damage from an isolated tornado, large hailstone, or damaging wind gust. An Enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) is forecast across parts of Texas and Oklahoma where large hail is likely this evening along with the wind and tornado threat.</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. The thunderstorms in the Plains and Great Lakes should begin to lose some of its intensity as the sunset tonight! For the Southern Plains, individual storms should cluster together around the Panhandle and move eastward. However, as those storms weaken more development is possible along the front in Oklahoma that also be could strong and  severe heading 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 us another chance of severe weather for the Plains! The biggest threat will be gusty winds and hail. Just the last few systems, it will be another 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>

Tornado Threat Targeting the Nation's Heartland

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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>This weekend an incoming storm system will bring widespread wet weather to the West Coast with snow anticipated into the high elevations of California. A low-pressure system moves out of the Pacific Ocean and slides onto the West Coast by Saturday. This incoming storm system pulls in moisture from the Pacific in addition to lift to assist with storm development and support through the West Coast. This comes on the heels of a storm system bringing wet weather from the Pacific Northwest through the Rockies into Thursday.</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>A frontal boundary moves onshore Friday with rain and snow spreading inland throughout the evening Friday into Saturday. As temperatures fall throughout the day on Saturday we will see more high-elevation snowfall, especially in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. Steady snow continues into Sunday for the highest elevations with rainfall for lower elevations.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714690119532.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><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><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSW WWA-1714682733083.png"></p><p>The heaviest snowfall will be in the Sierra Nevada, where upwards of 9" of snow is likely for the highest elevations. Snowfall in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington will be on a similar total amount.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-02 RSW accum-1714682775161.png"></p><p>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>

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

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<p>Heavy rainfall overnight and Thursday morning has 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 into 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 through tonight. The highest risk of severe weather will occur in the Enhanced Risk in West Texas. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for West Texas until 10 PM. As these thunderstorms weaken overnight, we could see more development along the front in Oklahoma that will push into the ArkLaTex by Friday morning.</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>Today, numerous records fell across the Northeast including 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 (Northeast). 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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<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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The workweek ended with lots of damage across parts of South Dakota and Wyoming, here's a look at some of the Weather Watcher reports on Friday.

<img class="wp-image-93311" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/tornado-1-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="496" height="278" /> <em>Damage from a tornado that moved along Highway 212 near the Wyoming/South Dakota State Line</em>

https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/10156618345434874/

<img class="wp-image-93309" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/Capture-45-420x235.jpg" alt="" width="502" height="281" /> <em>Damage from large hail in Deadwood, SD</em>

https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/10156618716174874/

<img class="wp-image-93310" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/Capture.JPG-d-420x235.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="280" /> <em>Damage from hail in Lead, SD</em>

https://twitter.com/i/status/1012905724899282944

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Destructive Hail, Tornadoes in the High Plains

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 overnight and Thursday morning

Temps Climb on the East Coast

Today, numerous records fell across the North

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