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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Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana as a Category 2 Hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph and a central pressure of 972 mb. This system will continue to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the central U.S. into the weekend. RELATED ARTICLE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/cat-2-hurricane-francine-slams-gulf-coast">Francine's Gulf Coast Impacts</a>The central low pressure of Francine will continue to meander around the Ohio Valley and Mid South with storms still lingering in the Mississippi Delta. Southerly winds pulling on shore from the Gulf of Mexico will enhance isolated severe weather threat for Alabama. The primary threat will be spin-up tornadoes. Tropical tornadoes can happen quickly, with little warning. If a Tornado Watch is issued for your area, be sure to have a safety plan ready to go when a warning is issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726283409687.png">As the center of Francine's core lifts north, heavy rain and isolated tornado threat will stretch from the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Baron 2-1726283505993.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Widespread areas of 3-6 inches are expected with localized totals up to 10 inches. Northern Mississippi, West Tennessee, and northern Alabama are expected to see the widespread heavy rain, while it will be more scattered or isolated through Georgia and Florida.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726283541197.png">With the addition of saturated soils from recent rainy weather, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) expects flooding to continue Friday through the weekend; Friday a MODERATE risk for flash flooding remains (level 3 out of 4).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-13 062606-1726230377380.png">Due to this increased flood threat, Flood Watches have been issued across the southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-13 062531-1726230355463.png">There are other areas to monitor, in the Atlantic AND the Pacific Basins. Read more about those here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/atlantic-basin-becoming-active-again">Tropics Heating Up</a>

Francine Moves North With Heavy Rain and Tornadoes

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Statistically, we are now past the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which happened on September 10th. However, based on accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), we still have about half of the tropical activity we see in a season left. Right on cue, the tropics are acting up. Aside from Francine's remnants and Tropical Storm Gordon, there is one other area of interest in the Atlantic, plus Tropical Storm Ileana in the eastern Pacific.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726253710745.png">Tropical Storm Gordon strengthened in the eastern Atlantic Friday. As of now, it is expected to meander west for several days, while encountering shear and dry air, limiting strengthening. Thankfully, the cone of uncertainty does not have this bringing any impact to land or the United States.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726283096696.png">Closer to home, we are monitoring the possibility of a developing low pressure system off the Carolina coast! There is still some uncertainty along the southeast, but heavy rain is possible this weekend if you live along the Carolinas Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726253891989.png">Tropical Storm Ileana has formed in the Eastern Pacific. Heavy rain and tropical storm force winds have moved into the southern tip of the Baja California Sur.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834592882935873960" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1834592882935873960"></div>Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for portions of the Baja Peninsula for strong winds. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-13 062329-1726230215223.png">Observations on land have noticed that Ileana's core is not well organized. Interaction with land should cause it to further weaken as it pulls north. After sliding north into the Gulf of California, it will become a remnant low before having a chance to make landfall in mainland Mexico.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726283172678.png"> Rainfall from Ileana could be heavy, with remnant moisture potentially pulled north into the Four Corners early next week. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest forecast on the tropics in the coming days.

Tropics Staying Active, Gordon Named in Atlantic

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Karissa is the Director of On-Air Operations at WeatherNation. Karissa grew up loving math and science, but really fell in love with Meteorology while attending the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After two summers of storm chasing in the central plains, she knew that it was the career path for her. Standing in front of a thunderstorm and feeling the cool outflow knock her over was an experience she will never forget. After two years at COD, she transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver. Karissa graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology. Her high school and college speech and meteorology professors were extremely supportive and pushed her to succeed. Before joining the WeatherNation team, she previously worked as the Morning Meteorologist at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa and at WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL. She recently was part of a National Edward R. Murrow award winning team for breaking news for their coverage of the EF-4 tornado in Washington, Illinois. In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking and trying new foods. She is a self proclaimed 'TV Junkie' who can get into just about any show. She is a die hard Chicago sports fan who loves attending professional sporting events.

Karissa Klos

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Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana as a Category 2 Hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph and a central pressure of 972 mb. The specific landfall location was in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, 30 miles south of Morgan City. This system will continue to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the south and southeast into the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/landfall-1726156432884.png">Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tropical-system-expected-to-develop-this-week">Francine Moves North</a>What started as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six in the Gulf of Mexico, a developing area of low pressure only took a few days to strengthen to a hurricane and impact the U.S. coast. Francine was upgraded from a Tropical Storm to a category one hurricane Tuesday. After working through shear and dry air, Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that Francine was able to organize and drop its central pressure. Francine was upgraded to a category 2 with winds of 100 mph, just off of the Louisiana coast. It maintained that strength through landfall Wednesday afternoon.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834207834676117699" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1834207834676117699"></div>Our field correspondents were on the ground as at least nine inches of rain inundated Metairie, Louisiana late Wednesday evening. Close to a foot of rainfall fell in the greater New Orleans/southeast Louisiana area. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/rain-1726152051077.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/rain map-1726152051076.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834044924896878605" src="https://x.com/willnunley/status/1834044924896878605"></div>The National Hurricane Center issued this update with wind reports as Francine was making landfall:<blockquote><pre><code>Francine has made landfall in southern Louisiana in the Parish of 
Terrebonne, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, as a 
Category 2 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 
near 100 mph (155 km/h).

A NOS station located on Eugene Island recently reported a peak gust 
of 105 mph (169 km/h). The minimum pressure measured at that 
location was 976 mb (28.82 inches).</code></pre></blockquote><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Winds-1726152051078.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834035476111786354" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1834035476111786354"></div>Hundreds of thousands of customers in southeast Louisiana were still without power as of Friday morning. The number of customers without power approached 400,000 in Louisiana Thursday morning, but thankfully has since dropped to around 100,000. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-13 063721-1726231047502.png">President Biden approved an Emergency Declaration for the state knowing that extra resources would be needed in the wake of storm damage. According to FEMA:<blockquote>"The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.</blockquote><blockquote>Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75% federal funding for the parishes of Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge&nbsp;and West Feliciana.</blockquote><blockquote>Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding for the parishes of Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll and Winn."</blockquote><h1>TIPS FOR RETURNING AND LIVING AT HOME IN THE AFTERMATH</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/post-1726152051070.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/generator-1726152051073.png">

Power Outages Fall Below 100k After Francine

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The Airport Fire in southern California has burned over 23,000 acres as of Friday afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuations along the Ortega Highway according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The video above is a timelapse of the fire burning in Santiago Peak, a fire watchtower, observed earlier this Tuesday afternoon. Live conditions of this fire can be found here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=33.6786_-117.5444_12">UC San Diego Alert California.</a><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1833994177300017646" src="https://x.com/OCFireAuthority/status/1833994177300017646"></div>Hot and dry weather has been a theme of the summer for many out West. Thankfully calm conditions should remain in place trough the weekend before a big pattern change early next week.The Bridge Fire exploded on Tuesday across the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Glendora, CA. Numerous evacuations have been ordered across the communities of Pinion Hills, Wrightwood, along with much of the Mt. Baldy area. The Line Fire has prompted evacuations in San Bernardino County, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/9/5/line-fire/">including for the town of Big Bear</a>, as flames have burned over 37k acres. Containment has increased to 21%.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726254279103.png">The Airport Fire produced some dramatic video on Tuesday as it burned past a communications tower and webcams.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1833664252139155533" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1833664252139155533"></div>Near Reno, the Davis Fire has brought smoky skies to the Lake Tahoe area, with zero containment so far. The fire has grown to over 5,800 acres, burning along the western shore of Washoe Lake, north of Carson City.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1833291765086097643" src="https://x.com/RenoFirefighter/status/1833291765086097643"></div>For more details on the cooldown, catch your West Regional Forecast at :50 past every hour!

Evacuations for Big Bear As Line Fire Grows

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Brittany Lockley

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According to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news/earth-had-its-hottest-august-in-175-year-record">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>, global temperatures continue to soar, with August 2024 marking the hottest in 175 years of recorded history.&nbsp;August 2024 has also been the 15th month of record warm months.&nbsp;This milestone follows the Northern Hemisphere’s warmest meteorological summer on record.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/globalaug24map-1726159056965.png">(Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)Data released by NOAA highlights that August saw global temperatures exceed previous records by a significant margin. The average global land and ocean surface temperature in August was 2.29 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 60.1 degrees F.&nbsp;&nbsp;The month was not only the hottest August on record but also stands out for the persistent heat across all continents and oceans.&nbsp;<h4>Unprecedented Heat in the Northern Hemisphere&nbsp;</h4>The Northern Hemisphere has significantly&nbsp;felt the worst part of these extreme impacts. Summer 2024, which includes June, July, and August, has surpassed the previous temperature record. This makes it the warmest season experienced since record keeping. The months combined were 2.74 degrees F above average. This record-breaking heatwave brought significant impacts, from wildfires burning over 6 million acres in North America. Europe has experienced prolonged droughts in regions across Asia and Africa. Asia had its second-warmest August, while Africa and North America had their third warmest August.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/AugustClimRepGlobal1-1726158026239.png">(Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)<h4>The Impacts&nbsp;</h4>Beyond the immediate discomfort of the heat, the steadily rising trend of rising global temperatures does have a lasting impact. Ecosystems are stressed, and sea ice&nbsp;continues to melt faster, leading to rising sea levels, and ultimately threatening coastal communities. According to NOAA, Sea ice across the globe was the second smallest in the 46-year record, at 8.32 million square miles (about the area of North America), and Arctic sea ice was below average, with the fourth lowest on record.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/sea ice aug 24 new-1726159081665.png">(Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)When it comes to the increased temperatures and the tropics, August was average with 15 named storms, with Debby and Ernesto forming in August.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 103010-1726158622913.png">Specifically, in the U.S., Phoenix, Arizona, shattered its record with over 30 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 110°F. The soaring heat, combined with a lack of rainfall, has also triggered widespread wildfires, which are ongoing in the west. &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 102147-1726158126523.png">The summer of 2024 has left its mark on the records!

Earth Experiences Hottest August in 175-Year Record

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More severe storms will be possible through Friday morning across areas of the High Plains. This includes the risk of numerous severe storms for places like Williston and Glendive. Damaging winds will be the primary risk with any storms that turn severe. Some small hail also will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726191581998.png">Higher elevations could even see some snowfall, which is not normal for September.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726191633559.png">Winter weather advisories have been issued across Idaho and Montana through Friday. Wet snowfall totals of 3"- 6" is likely above 6500 feet with isolated totals up to 6-10".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 061545-1726143361539.png">With the help of our upper-level trough, cooler air aloft will help to bring in unsettled weather at the surface. This in addition to the mountainous topography and surface frontal boundary will allow for thunderstorms to intensify through Thursday evening, while cool air behind the front will drop temperatures in the higher elevations to produce snowfall.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Baron 2-1726191766397.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With this system passing through, there will be much cooler temperatures for the end of the week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 140134-1726171299231.png">The west is still dealing with ongoing fire and smoke. More can be found here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/wildfires-erupt-out-west-this-weekend">Wildfires Erupt Out West</a>.Your Western Regional Forecast can be found at 50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Patrick Crawford

A Change in Pattern for the Northwest

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FLORIDA - the "Sunshine State" has been experiencing heavy rainfall in recent days, with more inland showers and storms to come over the next couple of afternoons. Some spots in northern Florida may even see the outer bands of Francine today and tomorrow.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Baron 2-1726159569051.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals for the remainder of the week for Florida could reach an additional 2-4"+ in some spots. The Weather Prediction Center has issued marginal and slight risks for Florida and parts of Georgia through Friday!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726159721870.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-12 07-18-19-1726147133643.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Tune into WeatherNation for the latest details.

"Sunshine State" Staying Soggy

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Summer of 1993, New England Dragway. That's when and where Steve knew he wanted to become a meteorologist. More than 20 years later he is extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to live his childhood dream. As a lover of math and science, Steve had a consistent interest in weather in elementary, middle, and high school before discovering you can major in meteorology. He attended Lyndon State College in Vermont where he received a bachelor's in meteorology-broadcasting and associate's in television news. He has worked as a meteorologist and reporter in Winchester, VA, Burlington, VT, and most recently in West Palm Beach, FL. He's recognized by the American Meteorological Society with the Certification of Broadcast Meteorologists.

Steven Glazier

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Congratulations to two ski resorts in Colorado for opening this Columbus Day weekend.

Midday Friday, Keystone Resort in Colorado announced it would start its lift operations Saturday morning, October 12. The mountain's representatives said it is going to be the earliest opening date in 20+ years.

https://twitter.com/KeystoneMtn/status/1182712895357874176

Shortly thereafter, nearby Arapahoe Basin announced they were opening today (Friday).

https://twitter.com/Arapahoe_Basin/status/1182743811090313216

Arapahoe Basin opened for the 2019-2020 ski season around 3:30 p.m. local time Friday. Here's what it looked like:

<img class="size-full wp-image-113864" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/10/moderate.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Credit: Arapahoe Basin/Ian Zinner

<img class="size-full wp-image-113866" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/10/D5ecreZUEAIfJPK.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Credit: Arapahoe Basin/Ian Zinner

According to Arapahoe Basin reps, Friday's opening came just 99 days after the resort closed out the 2018-2019 season and that's the shortest time between seasons!

Back to nearby Keystone Resort, here's what it looked like Friday night:

https://twitter.com/KeystoneMtn/status/1182840489084538882

Clear, calm and chilly weather will greet skiers and riders on Saturday morning. Temperatures will be in the teens for the opening of the lifts! Sunshine will warm the mountains up to the 40's by the afternoon which will feel excellent.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-113867" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/10/ARNING.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-113869" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/10/a1-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

The outlook for Colorado is dry through the holiday weekend with cool nights and warm afternoons. The next snow event could come in as early as Thursday-Friday of this week.

Cover picture credit: Keystone Mountain

First Ski Resorts Open In North America

Francine Moves North With Heavy Rain and Tornadoes

Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana

Tropics Staying Active, Gordon Named in Atlantic

Statistically, we are now past the climatolog

Power Outages Fall Below 100k After Francine

Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana

Evacuations for Big Bear As Line Fire Grows

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The Airport Fire in south

Earth Experiences Hottest August in 175-Year Record

According to the National Oceanic and Atmosph

A Change in Pattern for the Northwest

More severe storms will be possible through F

"Sunshine State" Staying Soggy

FLORIDA - the "Sunshine State" has been exper