<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<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>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Lucy Bergemann

Untitleddesign4png-1682539884658.png

<p>Have the leaves started changing where you live? We are now into Meteorological Fall, with the Autumnal Equinox just around the corner. We will continue to notice the changing leaves in the coming weeks.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/PKG_092920_TRT 1.52_WHEN LEAVES CHANGE_ROB BRADLEY_CM_E092920-1694870877324.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>But why and how do leaves change color? It is due to Chlorophyll in the leaves decaying into the cooler weather of the season. We've still been quite warm so the changeover has been slow for many.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/why they change-1694871127699.jpg">In fact, the majority of the country (outside of mountains over 10k feet) hasn't dropped below freezing or close to it yet this fall - we are roughly two weeks behind schedule for the Rockies, Bitterroots, and Cascades which could be contributing to the slow to develop colors. The colder air is arriving though, which should speed up the color changes.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1704911375175393467" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1704911375175393467"></div><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/first freeze-1694871125678.jpg">Right now much of the fall foliage is seen in the Rockies where cooler air is starting to make an influence. We want to avoid a quick freeze though, as that could cause the leaves to wilt and die before they reach their true potential! Colors should start to explode in the coming days across Colorado when the Aspens turn. In addition, cooler air moving into the Northwest should create further color across the Cascades!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot 2023-09-21 211144-1695352314983.jpg"></p><p>Have fall foliage photos to share? Tag us on social media @weathernation</p>

Fall Forecast: Where Leaves Are Changing

FallFoliagejpg-1695215504488.jpeg

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

KaraJamesjpeg-1679519134109.jpeg

<p>The National Hurricane Center has started issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 (PTC16) off the SE coast of the U.S. These are issued when a storm is not currently at tropical depression strength, but is expected to produce tropical storm impacts on land. </p><p>When, or if, this storm reaches tropical storm strength (winds 39+ mph and a center of circulation), it will become Ophelia. Regardless of tropical status, this low-pressure system WILL bring gusty winds, storm surge, high surf, and torrential rain to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Friday through Sunday. It's important to focus on the system's impacts and NOT the tropical classification (or lack of)!</p><p>TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS are in effect for the Carolinas and Virginia through the weekend.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-21 PTC alerts-1695352758865.png"></p><h2>Wind &amp; Surf</h2><p>Storm surge may reach 2-4' on the outer beaches during high tide and up to 5 feet near the Pamlico Sound. If you live right along the coast be sure to prepare your home for the seawater threat. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued from Surf City, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia, and the for the Chesapeake Bay south of Smith Point, including Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-21 storm surge-1695352272767.png"></p><p>Winds will gust in the range of 20-40 mph for inland communities and 30-50 mph for coastal areas. The wind will stir up the ocean and onshore flooding will create issues for barrier islands and east-facing beaches. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-21 05-35-18-1695296152524.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Rain</h2><p>Showers and storms will impact coastal communities starting Friday morning. As the area of low pressure moves closer to shore, more heavy rain will be possible for inland Carolinas and Virginia Friday afternoon and evening. Saturday the heaviest rain will favor the mid-Atlantic. The area of low pressure will get stuck in Appalachia before pushing east during the later half of the weekend. In addition to the heavy rain and flooding threat, a few spin-up tornadoes are possible both Friday and Saturday in eastern North Carolina and Virginia.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-21 PTC 16 rain-1695352519764.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Heavy rainfall could lead to flooding, especially for areas that are prone to flooding (Virginia Beach, Atlantic City NJ, DC/Baltimore). The latest forecast indicates that the heaviest rainfall will be concentrated in coastal North Carolina and Virginia, but this could shift depending on where the low forms. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted the eastern seaboard from Long Island through coastal South Carolina for the risk of excessive rainfall this weekend.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-21 RSE accum-1695352576777.png"></p><p>In addition to the flood threat we also have the potential for a tornado-producing storms both Friday and Saturday. This is common with any tropical system as outer rainbands acquire some rotation from the natural rotation of the low itself. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/tornado-1695323571016.jpg">Now is the time to think ahead for any weekend plans and potential impacts from rain, wind, and surf (if headed to the beach or live in a coastal community).</p>

Tropical Storm Warnings Issued for the Mid-Atlantic

921PTC16conepng-1695352207542.png

<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a></span></p>

Rob Bradley

RobBradleyjpeg-1679518597323.jpeg

<p>Severe storms will be likely across the Southern Plains today, with a level 2 risk across portions of Oklahoma and Texas (above). Not everyone will see severe weather, however, the storms that do meet the severe criteria will primarily consist of hail 1" in diameter or larger and gusts 60 mph or stronger. An isolated tornado is also possible from Dallas north across the Red River Valley.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/09-21 Tor-1695297460269.png">The first round looks to be the most intense into the early evening, followed by another round of intense storms in the early morning hours (mostly before dawn). Friday afternoon looks to quiet down before a large trough and frontal system move into the region Saturday which will likely lead to a line of intense storms around I-35 starting in the early afternoon.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-21 14-49-18-1695329397477.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Though no outlook by the Storm Prediction Center for Friday for severe storms, the risk for a couple stronger cells is still possible as shown above especially in the morning hours. The SPC has already issued a level 2 risk for severe storms Saturday from OKC north through Kansas City.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/09-21 Sat SPC-1695297559278.png">Heavy rainfall will be possible, with the heaviest rain concentrated across the Red River Valley. Scattered flash flooding may occur in this area, expecially Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/09-21 TX Rain-1695298045268.png">We will be tracking these storms live as part of our top weather headlines. Don't forget, you can get an update on the South Central Region anytime at :30 past the hour, or on demand in the WeatherNation app.</p>

Tornado threat for Dallas, Additional Severe Storms in the Plains

spctodayjpg-1695313843230.jpeg

<p>Heavy rain is in the forecast for the High Plains Thursday through the weekend! In fact, the rainfall could total over 4" in the Dakotas with a widespread 2-3" for much of the Plains. This rainfall is desperately needed - there is significant drought through eastern Nebraska, northern North Dakota and Iowa that has been worsening this summer under hot and dry conditions. </p><p>It is all thanks to an area of low pressure in our upper atmosphere that is "cut-off" or separated from the jet stream. This low drifts around in the Northwest through Friday, with no steering currents to move it. The low pulls in moisture and combines with the energy from warm temperatures at the surface to create areas of heavy rain and storms.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-19 07-11-18-1695130129341.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Not only do we see the heavy rainfall threat we also have the severe storm potential, although it will be limited to areas of Nebraska and southern South Dakota Thursday. This is primarily a wind and hail threat, but a brief tornado can't be ruled out in western Nebraska for the day today. This is where a TORNADO watch is in effect through the evening hours tonight. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/tor watch-1695329481383.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/spc-1695314707572.jpg">Storms look to reach severe limits in the afternoon or evening hours but could persist late into the evening on both Thursday and Friday. Afternoon hours look the most active on Saturday as well. Though there is no severe outlook for Sunday, storm activity will likely continue across the Midwest and Great Lakes region.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-21 08-11-57-1695305678414.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>In addition to the severe storm threats, gusty winds not associated with thunderstorms will be present through the weekend. The strongest winds will be located near the surface low. As the low moves through, winds will increase ahead of it out of the south or southeast, and kick up behind the low after it passes out of the west or northwest.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/winds-1695129591287.jpg"></p>

Heavy Rain & Storms Expected for Drought Stricken High Plains

rainjpg-1695305452721.jpeg

<p>ROCKIES - It's September in the Rockies and while some of us may be leaf-peeping, a taste of winter is knocking at our door. The National Weather Service has issued its first winter weather advisories for the northern Rockies of Montana and Bitterroots of Idaho. From 6,000 to 6,500 feet about 1-2" of wet snow can be expected. Above 7,500 feet between 2-5" of snow, and at the summits up to 10" are possible. This includes Glacier National Park. In addition to snowfall, winds over the Divide may gust as high as 45 mph which will lower visibility for travelers.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/snow-1695329702997.jpg">In addition to the chance of snowfall, much cooler air is expected across the Northwest as this incoming upper-level low swings through. Rain is expected at many lower elevations, and generally unsettled weather can be expected for the next few days. Rainfall may be heavy at times, so excessive rainfall outlooks have been issued starting Thursday through the start of the weekend.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-21 14-55-17-1695329755529.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>In addition to the snow is also the opportunity for much cooler temperatures region wide! Lows drop into the 40s for the next few nights. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/lows-1695329741177.jpg">If you live in any of the areas and take a weather picture or video, be sure to tag us on X, Facebook, or Instagram @weathernation and we may feature your video!</p>

More Snow for the Rockies Today

winterjpg-1695329632834.jpeg

<p style="text-align: center"><em>Above - stereoscopic images provides a 3D view of the large, 170-foot (52-meter) boulder that juts from asteroid Bennu’s southern hemisphere and the rocky slopes that surround it (Credit: NASA, OSIRIS-REx Project) </em></p><p>A first for NASA and space science is happening this weekend: the first ever asteroid samples collected in space are coming back to Earth on Sunday, September 24th. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will release a capsule with pieces of the asteroid Bennu over Earth on Sunday morning. The capsule is set to land in Utah and be retrieved by the OSIRIS-REx team. </p><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nasa.gov/osiris-rex">OSIRIS-REx</a> (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security – Regolith Explorer) project launched in September of 2016, putting a spacecraft on the asteroid Bennu to collect rocks and dust from the surface. The goal of the mission is to "investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth" according to NASA. </p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/OSIRIS-REx_Touchdown_on_Bennu-1695312747690.gif"></p><p style="text-align: center"><em><span style="color: rgb(90, 100, 112)">Captured on Oct. 20, 2020, during the OSIRIS-REx mission’s Touch-And-Go (TAG) sample collection event, this series of images shows the SamCam imager’s field of view as the NASA spacecraft approaches and touches down on asteroid Bennu’s surface. (credit: NASA)</span></em></p><p>The samples collected from Bennu are from October 2020. <span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58)">According to NASA, the spacecraft collected enough samples in two days to start the journey back to Earth.</span><em> </em><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58)">During the departure, "OSIRIS-REx imaged Bennu for 5.9 hours, covering more than a full rotation of the asteroid. It flew within 2.1 miles (3.5 kilometers) of Bennu's surface". Despite moving at 600 mph, the journey back to Earth still took OSIRIS-REx roughly 2.5 years to make!</span></p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/bennuola1-1695313273805.gif"></p><p style="text-align: center"><em>This three-dimensional view of asteroid Bennu was created by the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA), contributed by the Canadian Space Agency, on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. (credit: NASA)</em></p><p>The spacecraft's next mission will take it into the orbit of the near-Earth asteroid <span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58)">Apophis in 2029. Apophis is about 1,200 feet in diameter and is expected to come within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029. The asteroid is an "S-type", made up of Silica materials and is remnants of our early solar system. </span></p><p>OSIRIS-REx is the third of four missions in NASA's New Frontier program to explore our solar system with medium sized spacecraft. Other missions in the program include: New Horizons (exploring Pluto since 2006), Juno (exploring Jupiter since 2011) and Dragonfly (Saturn's Moon Titan, set to launch in 2026). </p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O8R2hsoIgTc" start="0"></iframe></div><p>Per NASA, the capsule landing starts at 10 a.m. EDT (8 a.m. MDT) and will air on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nasa.gov/live"><strong><em><u>Watch here</u></em></strong></a>. WeatherNation will bring you updates on the mission throughout the day on Sunday. </p>

Happening this Weekend: Asteroid Samples Come Back to Earth

bennus_boulder_1_stereo_pair_crosseyed_versionjpg-1695313185757.jpeg

<p>Our fifteenth named storm of the season, Nigel, continues to churn in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. While it remains a Category 1 hurricane, the storm is expected to move into the North Atlantic and stay away from land.</p><p>Outside of Nigel in the Atlantic Ocean, in the next seven days, we will be keeping our eyes on a tropical wave that just ejected off the coast of Africa. This wave has a high chance of development in the next seven days.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/key messages-1695242934262.jpg">The National Hurricane Center is monitoring another area of low pressure formation of the southeastern Atlantic Coast too. The low that forms here is expected to be non-tropical initially. It is forecast to move northward along the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic coast and could acquire some tropical characteristics if it remains offshore. Regardless of this low's tropical status, impacts will be felt along the coast. Read more about impacts and timing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tropical-area-of-interest-this-weekend-rain-wind-surf-impacts"><strong><u>here</u></strong></a>.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/headlines-1695242936290.jpg">In the Eastern Pacific, Kenneth continues to move northward and slowly weaken. Kenneth will not affect land and will become a remnant low this weekend. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-20 kenneth-1695264538347.png"><br>We have about 35% of the Atlantic hurricane season left. The rest of September and October can be busy months, tropically speaking.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-20 we r here-1695264590131.png"> Stay with us here at WeatherNation as we keep you updated every day!</p>

Atlantic Tropical Outlook

Screenshot20230920192700jpg-1695259623792.jpeg

We have been talking about heavy snow and heavy rain in the forecast for the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, but areas that haven't seen any precipitation over the past several months will be dealing with a high fire weather risk today.  This risk is located over the Central and Southern High Plains.
<h2>FIRE WEATHER OUTLOOK</h2>
<img class="alignnone wp-image-89280 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Capture2-19.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Critical and elevated fire weather risks today for parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas.  These are areas that are dealing with strong drought conditions with the lack of measurable precipitation so far this year.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89281 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Capture-21.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Fire weather alerts are in effect within the outlook including red flag warnings for Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.

Here is a look at the criteria for a red flag warning.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89282 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Bomb-10.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />
<h2>Today's Forecast</h2>
<img class="alignnone wp-image-89283 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Capture3-18.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89284 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Capture4-20.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Warm temperatures and strong winds in the forecast for the region today and when you factor in all the available fuel from the drought conditions...any fire that starts will spread quickly.  The strong winds will also make containment very difficult for firefighters.  If you are going to be outdoors today any of these areas, please be extra cautious with any outdoor flames or sparks.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Meteorologist Patrick Crawford</a>

Fire Weather Risk for Parts of the High Plains Saturday

FIRE WEATHER OUTLOOK

Today's Forecast

Fall Forecast: Where Leaves Are Changing

Have the leaves started changing where you li

Tropical Storm Warnings Issued for the Mid-Atlantic

The National Hurricane Center has started iss

Tornado threat for Dallas, Additional Severe Storms in the Plains

Severe storms will be likely across the South

Heavy Rain & Storms Expected for Drought Stricken High Plains

Heavy rain is in the forecast for the High Pl

More Snow for the Rockies Today

ROCKIES - It's September in the Rockies and w

Happening this Weekend: Asteroid Samples Come Back to Earth

Above - stereoscopic images provides a 3D vie

Atlantic Tropical Outlook

Our fifteenth named storm of the season, Nige