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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A severe weather outbreak is underway this evening as multiple tornadoes have touched down across Minnesota and Wisconsin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1747365645803.png"><h1>Friday Outlook</h1>Expect more storms by Friday afternoon and evening as the front continues to sag southward, concentrating across southeast Missouri and the Ohio River Valley. Friday now features a Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms with damaging hail, wind, and tornadoes. However, we could be looking at destructive winds as the supercells congeal into a mean squall line later in the day!<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/PIC 1-1747390115033.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/tomer fri svr threats-1747411068985.jpg">Timing</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/tomer mod svr futurecast-1747411237953.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Strong storms are possible across the Ohio Valley and the Midsouth Friday. Unlike Thursday, severe storms will likely continue into Friday night.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/PIC 3-1747390153480.jpg">Unfortunately, the ramped-up parameters by Friday afternoon mean that strong tornadoes will be a threat. Residents in these areas need to pay attention to the forecast and to any alerts that may be issued!

Chris Tomer

More Severe Storms in the Forecast Friday

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Brittany Lockley

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A strong area of low pressure rolls through the Rockies Saturday-Monday with a continuing chance of severe weather across the Plains.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 055402-1747396456543.jpg">As the strong low-pressure system approaches, southerly surface winds will increase ahead of it. As this occurs, the atmosphere will become increasingly unstable. A moist and unstable atmosphere will set up with dewpoints rising into the low to mid 70s°F, combining with strong daytime heating to create very strong instability. By Sunday afternoon, some of the highest instability levels of the season so far look possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 055448-1747396501016.png">The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 out of 5) has been issued for Kansas and northern Oklahoma, where the likelihood of severe storms is greatest. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are expected in Oklahoma, Kansas, and northern Texas. As a mid-level shortwave trough moves over the region, storm development is likely, especially near a dryline in Kansas and Oklahoma. Strong deep-layer wind shear will favor the development of supercell thunderstorms, which have the potential to produce large hail and damaging winds. As the low-level jet strengthens throughout the day, tornadoes—including potentially strong ones—will become a significant threat. There is still a few days to go, so the fine details have yet to come into focus.The highest confidence in storm development is over Kansas and northern Oklahoma, particularly near the triple point where the dryline and warm front intersect. However, areas farther south may still experience intense storms, even though storm coverage could be less certain. &nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/tomer sun svr futurecast-1747411767874.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The severe weather threat continues into Monday, especially across Kansas, Oklahoma, and parts of the Midwest. A negatively tilted upper-level trough will help maintain a very moist and unstable environment east of a dryline, while a weakening surface low moves southward. Severe storms will likely develop along and east of I-35 in Oklahoma and southeast Kansas, with all severe threats like hail, wind, and tornadoes will be possible. The storm risk will decrease as you move farther north, but some elevated hail is still possible into northeast Kansas, southeast Nebraska, and Iowa.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 063050-1747398705020.png">Know where to go in case of a tornado or severe storm warning and review your emergency kits to ensure they include essential supplies like flashlights, batteries, a weather radio, and first aid items. Be aware of the difference between a watch (conditions are favorable for severe weather) and a warning (severe weather is imminent).&nbsp;Please continue to check the forecast and stay with us at WeatherNation as further details come in.

Severe Weather Threat Looms Over Central and Southern Plains This Weekend

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Texas and the Gulf Coast is really heating up with record daily highs likely through Sunday. In fact, we should set at least 13 record highs on Friday and another 13 records on Saturday.We set numerous daily record highs in Texas on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074749-1747403317044.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074732-1747403328649.png">The daily record even fell in the Midwest, including a number of cities in Illinois. The record-breaking heat helped to fuel intense thunderstorm development by the afternoon, with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-ramps-up-late-week">several tornadoes touching down.</a>Now, that the front is moving more to the east, cooler temperatures are in the forecast for the Northern half of the country.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074712-1747403346002.png">Temperatures will remain well above average through the weekend across the South.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074740-1747403362544.png">The National Weather Service (NWS) continues to issue Heat Advisories across central Texas, including cities such as San Antonio, where daily records keep falling.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074757-1747403376739.png">Temperatures in San Antonio are likely to remain close to 100 degrees into next week, with further records possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074807-1747403389291.png">The heat risk is not just about how warm temperatures get during the day, it is also about how little they cool off at night. The National Weather Service’s Heat Risk tool highlights the growing concern by depicting Moderate to Major heat potential across parts of the Southcentral on Friday. This tool takes into account various factors like forecast temperatures, humidity, and local population vulnerability to estimate the potential health impacts of extreme heat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-16 074722-1747403400602.png">How do you stay safe in this kind of heat? It is early in the season, so many of us are seeing this type of heat for the first time this year. In light of this forecast, residents are encouraged to take heat precautions seriously. With many communities still in spring mode, it’s important to be proactive—especially in areas without widespread air conditioning or heat preparedness infrastructure.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-13 074710-1747144046862.png">Tune into the local regional forecast on WeatherNation for more details.

Texas Takes the Lead In Hottest Temperatures Across the Country

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MID-ATLANTIC - A slow-moving upper-level low contributed to several flash flood emergencies across areas of Virginia and Maryland earlier this week. The same system is contributing to a storm and rain threat that will persist into the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1747337632590.png">On Friday and Saturday, a cold front will be swinging out of the Midwest. As a result, there is a higher chance of severe storms along the East Coast. By Friday night, we will be keeping a close eye on some weakening severe storms coming out of the Ohio Valley. Saturday, daytime heating will likely spark new severe storms along the cold front.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/ecfri-1747353561140.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/1-1747338314421.png">Tune into WeatherNation :10 past the hour for the eastern regional forecast for more updates.

The Severe Risk Persists Across the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic

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Kevin Schneider

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ARIZONA - While the Bryce Fire has been burning for over a week now a new fire has scorched just as many acres in Arizona. A new fire, the Greer Fire, has torched over 7,000+ acres with little to no containment.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-14 163118-1747261893542.png">According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the fire continues to burn in the region.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1922767831491579904" src="https://x.com/azstateforestry/status/1922767831491579904"></div>The fire weather concerns are continuing, with winds fanning any spark or a flame into a potential wildfire. Those winds reached 60 mph on Tuesday, pushing the Greer Fire through the wooded areas of Apache County. Winds today will likely reach the same numbers in the afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/05-14 thu-1747271844737.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Ever wonder what to do if you're caught in a dust storm? Pull off of the road COMPLETELY and turn off your lights as soon as possible, to prevent other cars from running into the back of you.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-14 105044-1747241454397.png">The wildfire threat will back off a bit Thursday afternoon but won't disappear. An elevated risk for fire weather will carry us into Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-14 191807-1747271897874.png">

Wildfires Break Out in the Desert Southwest

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Flash Flood Emergencies were issued on Tuesday after heavy rain overwhelmed parts of Maryland and Virginia. A cut-off low continues to spin, bringing more chances for rain to many of the same locations on Wednesday.<h1>Rain reports last 24 hours:</h1><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/tomer rain reports-1747250568881.jpg">Setup:</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-14 071525-1747228617966.png"><h1>WHAT IS A CUT-OFF LOW?</h1>It's a ship without a sail. Sort of. Lows will dig out locations to go with the help of the jet stream. However, sometimes a low will become detached from the jet stream winds when they retreat to the north, leaving behind a persistent area of spin. That's been the case for much of this week, powering daily severe chances and heavy rain around the southeast.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1922426639914336399" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1922426639914336399"></div><h1>SLOW SYSTEM + TERRAIN</h1>On Tuesday, that low started to lift northeast and brought the rain threat up the I-95 corridor. However, this area is when topography becomes an issue, in the Appalachians. Heavy rain can often be exacerbated by elevation change, often acting to focus some of the worst impacts in localized areas. A pretty wide stripe of 3-6 inches of rain fell in mountainous terrain and brought life-threatening problems to western Maryland and Virginia.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/2025-05-14 07-16-27-1747228643005.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Heavy Rain Triggers Flash Flood Emergencies Tuesday

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ABOVE - Winter is hanging on for the Northern Rockies with winter weather alerts remaining in place through Wednesday, May 14th. Winter Storm Warnings (in pink) are in place for snowfall totals up to 3 feet above 7000 feet and winds gusting as high as 30 mph.What's causing this? A storm system moving through the Rockies will deliver rain, thunderstorms, and snow through Wednesday, May 14th.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/tomer west setup-1747161663564.jpg">Timing</h1>Scattered development looks to favor the afternoon hours for many spots, but snow will carry on for the higher elevations through Wednesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/05-13 rnw-1747187315676.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The rain/snow line will run about 7500-8000ft. The higher elevations could get 6-12 inches of snow accumulation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-13 193206-1747187165352.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-13 193157-1747187173814.png">This storm system will also deliver cooler temps.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot 2025-05-13 194637-1747187206482.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest!

Alana Cameron

Rain & Snow For The Northern Rockies

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<ul>
 	<li>Hurricane watch</li>
 	<li>Tropical storm warning</li>
 	<li>Storm surge warning</li>
</ul>
Do you know the difference between these tropical alerts and what to do if one is issued for your home? Let’s break down the different types of alerts during tropical systems.

When a tropical storm or hurricane *watch* is issued, it means corresponding winds are possible within 48 hours.
For a tropical storm that means sustained winds of 39 miles per hour or greater. For a hurricane that means 74 mph or greater are possible.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-121733" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/05/Tropical-Watch.jpg" alt="" width="1187" height="577" />

The rule of thumb when it comes to a *watch* is that’s the time when you want to quickly finish preparations, such as putting up your storm shutters. It’s also the time you want to head to your designated storm shelter, or plan to leave soon if evacuations are issued for your location.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-121734" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/05/Tropical-Warning.jpg" alt="" width="1177" height="610" />
When a tropical storm or hurricane *warning* is issued, it means hazardous and potentially life-threatening weather conditions will begin in the next 36 hours. By this time, preparations must be finished. Quickly get to your designated safe place.

Next, we have *storm surge* alerts.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-121735" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/05/Storm-Surge-Alerts.jpg" alt="" width="1169" height="608" />
A storm surge *watch* means life-threatening inundation from rising coastal waters is possible within 48 hours. A warning? Within 36 hours. If you’re in a storm surge warning, check the latest evacuation orders and get to higher ground if need be.

Please note that these alerts can be issued before tropical systems have fully formed. Vice versa, alerts may be issued for storms that have lost their tropical characteristics but still produce dangerous conditions.

WeatherNation's Hurricane Preparedness Week is Monday, May 25 to Sunday, May 31 where we will get you ready for the upcoming hurricane season. We will share tips on preparations, information to help you understand the forecast, and what to do before, during, and after a storm. Also, the National Hurricane Center will release its seasonal outlook on Thursday, May 21. Stay with us as we bring you these stories this season!

To watch/listen to this story, see our video below:

https://youtu.be/-5HbDeA53_U

Find The Difference: Tropical Watch Vs. Warning

More Severe Storms in the Forecast Friday

A severe weather outbreak is underway this ev

Severe Weather Threat Looms Over Central and Southern Plains This Weekend

A strong area of low pressure rolls through t

Texas Takes the Lead In Hottest Temperatures Across the Country

Texas and the Gulf Coast is really heating up

The Severe Risk Persists Across the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic

MID-ATLANTIC - A slow-moving upper-level low

Wildfires Break Out in the Desert Southwest

ARIZONA - While the Bryce Fire has been burni

Heavy Rain Triggers Flash Flood Emergencies Tuesday

Flash Flood Emergencies were issued on Tuesda

Rain & Snow For The Northern Rockies

ABOVE - Winter is hanging on for the Northern