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

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Significant flash flooding greatly impacted NYC and the tri-state area Friday, September 29. There have been delays, cancellations and closures at major airports, on highways and city streets as well as the subway system. Governor Hochul issued a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island and the Hudson River Valley Friday in anticipation of major impacts from the flooding. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1707787329195348049" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1707787329195348049"></div>Heavy rain began late Thursday around the Tri-State and in southern New England, with rain totals already surpassing 3" in some areas by sunrise. Additional rain totals of 3-5" then fell across the soaked region, presenting a significant threat of urban flooding and flash flooding. JFK Airport ended up with 8.64" of rain Friday, making it the rainiest day since 1948. Additionally, that broke a daily rainfall record and the September rainfall record. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot 2023-09-29 161615-1696025844016.jpg">The WPC (Weather Prediction Center) has continued the moderate risk for flash flooding for the region through daybreak Saturday. This level 3 out of 4 risk means numerous instances of flash flooding are likely with the potential for significant flooding. Additional rain is not expected to be nearly as intense as it was during the day Friday, but another inch or two of rain could overwhelm the already stressed drainage systems, etc. and cause flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-29 RNE WPC-1696042811384.png">High resolution weather models still suggest another 1 to 3 inches of rainfall for parts of New York City, Long Island and Connecticut through midday Saturday. which will likely lead to some pockets of low-lying flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-29 RNE accum-1696042946666.png">Additional rain showers will be overall lighter and more scattered through Saturday morning than they were Friday. Pockets of heavier downpours will rotate through though, and could add up to another inch or two. Rain will move offshore by Saturday evening. The greatest flooding risk has passed, but additional showers could briefly cause more flooding in low lying and vulnerable areas. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-29 RNE flooding-1696043145267.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Due to the flood risk, a flood watch continues for the eastern half of Long Island into Saturday morning. Furthermore, the full moon and moon near perigee will lead to king tides, coupled with onshore flow this will lead to coastal flooding up and down the mid-Atlantic. Waves will be high with rough surf through Saturday afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/9-29 RNE Waves-1696043285837.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the flood risk and aftermath in the NYC metro.

Wettest Day in 75 Years for Parts of New York City

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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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Tropical storm Rina formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, between the Leeward and Cabo Verde Islands and just east of Philippe. Rina is NOT expected to impact the Caribbean as it is pulled northwest around an area of high pressure, remaining a "fish storm" during the next week. The current forecast maintains tropical-storm-force winds for Rina through early next week (ABOVE).Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Phillipe will meander slowly westward over the next few days before eventually turning north over open waters.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot 2023-09-29 210835-1696043324287.jpg">Interaction with Rina could cause this system to spin around a center point between the two lows, an effect called Fujiwhara. Regardless, impacts to the eastern Caribbean Islands look minimal with very little rain, but high surf and rip currents are likely through the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/1-1696026261424.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We have about 30% of the Atlantic hurricane season left. Don't let your guard down, though--October can be a busy month, tropically speaking because of warm sea surface temperatures this time of the season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/09-25_atl-1695696450973.jpg"> While we continue to monitor the MDR (main development region) of the Atlantic now, October could bring a few areas of potential development closer to the lower 48. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is highlighting a low chance for tropical development during the 7-14-day window.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/09-28 Long Range Toprical Outlook-1695902188586.jpg">

Two Named Storms in the Atlantic

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Happening Wednesday, October 4th at 2:20 PM ET, FEMA will be conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). Test messages will be sent to all cell phones with emergency alerts enabled, TVs and radios. The test is broken down into two parts: <h2>PART 1: Emergency Alert System (EAS) </h2>Test messages are sent to radios and televisions. From FEMA: <ul><li>The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers&nbsp;and wireline video providers.</li><li>The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.</li></ul><h2>PART 2: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)</h2>These are sent to cell phones only. The test will display in English or Spanish, depending on the user language settings. The following is from FEMA: All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:<ul><li>Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.&nbsp;</li><li>For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”</li><li>Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”</li></ul>The test sections will happen at the same time, so if you are listening to the radio and have your cell phone expect to hear both messages. According to FEMA, "The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level."In case of widespread severe weather or events, the backup/postponement day will be for October 11th.

Next Week: Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System

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The southern tier of the country has been no stranger to a hot and dry summer, with extreme and exceptional drought conditions spreading from Texas into Louisiana and Mississippi. The drought aided in large fires in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/high-fire-danger-extreme-heat-in-texas">Texas and Louisiana </a>this summer and now is impacting low water levels on the Mississippi River.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/drought-1695757297057.jpg">As drought conditions persist, a new issue is impacting southern Louisiana, the saltwater intrusion. Because the mouth of the Mississippi river lies below sea-level is it normal for saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to run back into the Mississippi. However, under normal conditions there is enough river flow coming downstream to combat serious salt-water progression north into the river. This year due to the drought and low water levels the saltwater is moving upriver, threatening water treatment plants for suburbs of New Orleans.<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/1469707107145385" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/1469707107145385" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div>On Wednesday, September 27th, a National Disaster assistance for the area was given, and according to FEMA, "to supplement state and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from the seawater intrusion beginning Sept. 20, 2023, and continuing. [This] authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives, protect property&nbsp;and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines&nbsp;and St. Bernard Parishes."This has prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer to increase an underwater sill to reduce the impact of the saltwater intrusion. According to the agency, "“As a result of continued falling conditions, this existing sill was overtopped and the toe of the saltwater wedge has reached River Mile 69, near the community of Jesuit Bend,” said Col. Cullen Jones, USACE New Orleans District commander. “Our modeling indicates that by augmenting the existing sill, we can support state and local preparedness and response efforts by delaying further upriver progression of the salt water by approximately 10 to 15 days.”"<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/saltwater nose-1696019696176.png">Freshwater is also being transported in, according to USACE, "during previous low-water events, such as 1988 and 2012, barging was used to transport fresh water to treatment facilities downriver of the saltwater toe." This ensures that the treatment facilities aren't negatively impacted by processing saltwater instead of the normal fresh water, which could lead to corrosion or deterioration of the plants.Part of the reason is that upstream precipitation also isn't coming through the Ohio River valley and mid-Mississippi River valley. In fact, we are below flood stage for the Mississippi River at Memphis. Our field correspondent Brandon Clement captured more images of low water levels in Mississippi and Tennessee on Thursday, September 28th showing the much below average waters.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1707553276387078332" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1707553276387078332"></div><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot 2023-09-29 162216-1696026146278.png">With no rainfall in sight, the saltwater intrusion and drought conditions will worsen further.

Emergency Declaration Issued for Louisiana Due to Saltwater Intrusion

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<h2>Snow Forecast</h2>It has been about 2 months since Mammoth ski area closed for the 2022-23 season, after a very snowy winter in the California Sierra Nevada mountains! Now, early-season snow is on the way, signaling the change in the pattern. NWS is calling for 3-6" of snow with locally higher totals for Yosemite National Park outside of the valley, Upper San Joaquin River, Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park! Get that leaf peeping in Saturday before the cold and snow threaten the color on the trees. <h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/mammoth snow-1695994085200.png">Fire Threat</h2>This is all thanks to a powerful area of low pressure in our upper atmosphere will move onshore into the Southwest U.S. this weekend, bringing gusty winds, especially over mountain terrain. Many parts of Arizona, Utah and Nevada are under wind advisories to account for gusts upwards of 40-50 mph. Fire alerts are also in effect as dry conditions ahead of the rain and in the "dry slot" of this area of low pressure elevate the risk of quick spreading flames.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/setup-1695910970168.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-28 08-11-47-1695910556838.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Forecast Rain</h2>Showers begin in northern California on Friday afternoon and evening as a surface low-pressure system develops thanks to the upper atmosphere support. That low will push inland throughout the day on Friday and into Saturday, bringing with it the heavy rainfall threat into Nevada and Utah. As temperatures fall as a result of the front and through the overnight hours, we will see rain change over to snow for areas over 7k feet. A couple of inches of wet, slushy snow looks likely through Saturday night! Rainfall totals will be on the order of 1-2" through the Southwest which could create some flood concerns.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-29 07-27-23-1695994178827.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Secure loose objects outside, such as umbrellas, trash cans, and any chairs! The strongest winds will be this weekend. Be sure to check for any fire bans and obey them!

Snow Coming Back to the California Mountains

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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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Set a reminder in your phone and calendar! The next solar eclipse is coming right up on Saturday, October 14th beginning at about 10 a.m. ET. This will be visible to millions of people in the Western Hemisphere, especially here across America.To refresh you on this subject, a solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun all align where the moon is in the middle. This essentially blocks our view of the sun. We don't get this all the time, because of the differing elliptical paths of the Moon and Earth's orbits. But once in a while, the eclipse comes around. This time, in mid-October, it will be an "annular" eclipse, meaning the moon is just a tad smaller than the sun (as it appears in our sky). The moon never completely fills out the perimeter of the sun, but rather results in a phenomenon called the "ring of fire."<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Annualr vs Total-1696017313039.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/Solar Eclipse Alignment-1696017318118.jpg">Here is a chart of the locations and times of when the eclipse begins, peaks, and ends. These are cities within the path totality.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023 Eclilpse Timing-1696017352192.jpg">The path of totality will move from Oregon to Nevada, directly over the Four Corners, and through Texas. The best chances of seeing this eclipse will be in Nevada and the Four Corners, because this region usually has the sunniest sky in mid-October.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023 Eclipse Path-1696017350676.jpg">Before you run out and look directly in the sun, stop! Make sure you have proper eyewear. Regular sunglasses won't work to keep your eyes safe. You'll need proper, and legitimate, solar sunglasses.If you can't make it to Saturday, October 14th's eclipse you'll have another chance at a TOTAL solar eclipse April 8, 2024. The total solar eclipse can be a greater phenomenon because of the view of the corona!

Get Ready for the Next Solar Eclipse!

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An upper-level low is bringing much-needed rain to the Northwest. In addition to this, we've seen some snow in the higher elevations of Washington State including the Mount Rainier Visitor Center, which sits at around 5400' in elevation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/09-27_rnw_snow-1695841384892.jpg">We have seen impressive rainfall totals, especially in Washington. Ocean Park saw 3.67" of rain! The heaviest rainfall has been along the Cascades and to the west. As this system continues inland, expect increasing rainfall and gusty winds!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/washingtong rain reports-1695816151228.png">Multiple rounds of rain will move through the Northwest over the next couple of days. Gusty winds and heavy rain will be possible the next few days. Rainfall will not nearly be as heavy or widespread in intensity as we wrap up the work week. On average folks will see an additional one inch of rain, localized amounts of up to 2 inches will be possible. In some portions of the mountains, we can see snow. Expect isolated snowfall totals of up to a foot in the Cascades through Friday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/2023-09-28 08-05-04-1695910011717.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more updates on this story, tune into our Western Regional Forecast at :50 past the hour.

Slushy Snow in Mount Rainier, Washington

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The large Tiger Island Fire broke out SW of Fort Johnson (Polk), LA growing to 30k acres and prompting evacuations that remain in effect as of Friday. The fire was named for the hunting club it started near on Tuesday, but the cause is under investigation. Containment has dropped back to 50% after red flag conditions helped to spread the fire on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot 2023-08-25 212252-1693020177305.jpg">Part of the contributing factor to the fire danger is the prolonged period of hot and dry weather we've had. Despite dew points in the 70s, the lack of rain has allowed grasses, trees, and shrubs to become extremely "flashy" and burn quickly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/08/drought-1692993358932.jpg">Please avoid burning as winds will spread any flames through dry brush. Additional fires have been noted in Vernon Parish also in the SW part of the state.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/08/VO_082423_RSC_VERNON PARISH, LA_INTENSE VIEW OF WILDFIRE SPREADING ONTO JD MITCHAM ROAD_FB_VERNON PARISH SHERIFFS OFFICE_JK_E082423-1692984236474.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the hot temps &amp; summer that never seems to end!