Caitlin Connell

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<p>The severe weather risk continues for west Texas and much of the central Plains after a few tornadoes were confirmed Thursday afternoon. This includes a tornado over Hawley, TX (north of Abilene) that was nearly stationary in the area for several hours. We will update you on tornado strength when the National Weather Service can survey the damage.</p><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/343514008353454" data-width="500" src="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/343514008353454" style="display: flex; justify-content: center"></div><p></p><p>The severe threat sticks around today with another <strong>enhanced</strong> risk (level 3 out of 5) in places like Midland, San Angelo, and Fort Stockton, TX.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/spc day 1-1714827051374.jpg"></p><p>Hailstones 2" or larger are possible on Saturday again through much of west Texas - try to park your car under cover to protect it from the storms! This is also where we have a heightened tornado risk as the same storm updrafts that aid in building large hail also can rotate and produce tornadoes.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/hail-1714827184287.jpg"></p><p>By Saturday afternoon a similar trend occurs with storm development aided by a stationary front and dry line. These strong storms easily linger into the overnight hours, so make sure you have multiple ways to get severe weather alerts. Heavy rain does not help the ongoing flood situation in the Lone Star State.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast-1714827382307.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The severe weather threat continues into Sunday for central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and to Louisiana. The primary threats right now are large hailstones and strong wind gusts.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-04 120438-1714845898086.png"></p><p>Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/monday-severe-weather-threat-hits-the-plains-again"><em><u>Multi-Day Severe Outbreak Possible Monday - Wednesday</u></em></a></p><p></p>

Steve Glazier

Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms this Weekend

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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 of severe weather with our latest impacts from an EF-3 tornado in Westmoreland, Kansas earlier this week. Our thoughts go out to those impacted. EF is short for Enhanced Fujita and can help estimate the maximum winds within a tornado, based on the extent of storm damage.</p><p>Our field correspondent, Brandon Clement, took this video of some of the damage in Westmoreland early Wednesday morning. 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></p><p>Right now, we are in a small lull in thunderstorm activity in the Midwest. By the afternoon, Missouri and Illinois will be the areas to watch as storms interacts with warm and humid air. Be prepared for an indoor alternative to any of your plans! Wind and hail will be the primary storm threats on Saturday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714842321531.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714842479411.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>On Sunday, there is a Marginal Risk for a few strong to severe thunderstorms in the Ohio Valley. The biggest threats will be again wind and hail.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714842596092.png"></p>

Storm Threat Continues in the Plains and Ohio Valley

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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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<p>An upper low is of cold origin and will drag very cold air down into the West as it moves onshore. The cold air combined with lift and moisture leads to the weekend rain and snow. Rain turns into snow throughout the day on Saturday. The Cascades and Sierra Nevada look to get the heaviest snow totals. Steady snow continues into Sunday for the highest elevations, with rain for lower elevations.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast-1714826809728.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>There are some locations which may receive 8-16 inches of snow across the highest mountain peaks! Snow levels will fall to 3,000-4,000 feet most commonly, but may fall as low as 2,500' elevation.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/snow accumulation-1714826902670.jpg"></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"></p><p>Meanwhile, the lower elevations may accumulate up to two or three inches of rainfall! This prompted a marginal threat of isolated flooding from Redding and through Fresno.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/ERO-1714842591529.jpg"></p><p>As this weather system moves across the West, it will whip up a lot of wind! The wind gusts may reach up to 55-65 miles per hour across many states, and especially higher elevations. Secure your property before the wind hits! It will be strongest on Saturday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/WIND-1714826934216.jpg"></p><p>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>Similar areas that have been at risk since the end of April will experience another bout of severe weather from Monday through Wednesday. The Storm Prediction Center [SPC] has issued the severe weather outlooks for Monday through Wednesday, indicating confidence in the environment to produce severe storms. All severe weather threats are possible during this stretch: damaging wind, large hail, and a few tornadoes.</p><p>Monday, the severe weather threat stretches from the I-29 corridor through the Red River Valley, with an elevated severe weather risk through central Kansas (above). On Tuesday the severe weather threat stretches from Arkansas through the Midwest including Chicago, St. Louis and Little Rock (below).</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-04 073904-1714830114292.png">On Wednesday the threat shifts a bit further south, impacting southern Missouri, Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, and northeast Texas. All modes of severe weather are on the table.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-04 074143-1714830125659.png">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/Screenshot 2024-05-04 073459-1714830142503.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on the severe weather threat ahead in early May.</p>

Multi-Day Severe Outbreak Possible Monday - Wednesday

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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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<p>Texas has been hit with extremely heavy rainfall this week with multiple rounds of storms. The Trinity River area (85 miles north of Houston) received nearly a foot of rain in just 24 hours on Thursday. The past 5 days has brought nearly 2 FEET of rainfall in spots! Many roadways remain closed as rivers and streams are out of their banks. Aerial footage shows widespread flooding in Livingston, TX, and mandatory evacuations were ordered Thursday night for those on the east fork of the San Jacinto River northeast of Houston.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1786100846977245395" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1786100846977245395"></div><p>River flooding will be a concern near the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers the next several days as upstream dams release water southward. Many rivers are at "major" flood stage, inundating surrounding neighborhoods. The ground in Texas has become saturated in the last week and additional rainfall will be a huge concern for more flooding and overwhelmed waterways.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-04 075144-1714830711623.png">Storms will develop Saturday afternoon along a stationary front and dryline, increasing in coverage through the day and into the overnight hours. Sunday is a repeat performance, with another round of afternoon and evening storms moving into southeast Texas through the night.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/15-1714830819261.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Rain totals by the end of the weekend will be anywhere from 1-3" overall, but pockets of 3-5" are possible where multiple rounds of storms come through. Flooding will be expected, and likely exasperated in areas of southeast Texas already hard-hit with flooding earlier this week. Never drive through flooded roads!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast accumulation-1714842273641.jpg"></p>

Texas: 2 FEET of Rain in 5 Days

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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><em>Above - Moore, Oklahoma tornado damage in May 1999 (Photo: NWS Norman)</em></p><p>May 3rd marks the anniversary of a deadly F5 tornado that struck Bridge Creek, Moore, and Oklahoma City, OK in 1999. This year is the 25th anniversary of the historic storm that was on the ground for 38 miles, carving a path of destruction from Chickasha through the southern suburbs of Oklahoma City. Sadly, this one storm left 46 people dead and 800 injured. Over 8,000 homes were destroyed as a result of the EF-5 tornado. The tornado messaging was a first of its kind too, when NWS Norman issued a "tornado emergency" to grab the Public's attention beyond a typical "tornado warning" </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/track-1714753651978.jpg">The tornado cut a path through communities 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile wide. It wiped out entire communities in the Oklahoma City metro. Though the Bridge Creek-Moore tornado was the strongest storm as an F5 there were an additional two F4 tornadoes in central Oklahoma. Six more tornadoes were F3! According to the National Weather Service in Norman, OK, "The final total of 72 tornadoes makes May 3-4, 1999 event the largest outbreak of tornadoes for Oklahoma since official records began in 1950." </p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/norman-1714753745770.jpg"></p><p style="text-align: center"><em>Above - Moore, Oklahoma tornado damage in May 1999 (Photo: NWS Norman)</em></p><p>This tornado was one of 74 that touched down on May 3, 1999, in Oklahoma and Kansas. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Five deaths, 100 injuries and heavy damage were reported from the Wichita, Kansas metro area. For Oklahoma, the majority of deaths from the tornado outbreak occurred as a result of the Bridge-Creek Moore F5, a total of 36 with over 580 injured by the storm. </span></p><p>In modern U.S. history, there have only been 59 F5 or EF5 tornadoes, most recently in Moore, OK in 2013. The Fujita (F) scale transitioned to the "Enhanced Fujita" scale (EF) in 2007. According to the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weather.gov/tae/ef_scale#:~:text=The%20EF%20Scale%20takes%20into,type%2C%20structures%2C%20and%20trees."><strong><em><u> National Weather Service</u></em></strong></a>, "The EF Scale takes into account more variables than the original F Scale did when assigning a wind speed rating to a tornado. The EF Scale incorporates 28 damage indicators (DIs) such as building type, structures, and trees." There are 8 degrees of damage for each indicator to help survey crews determine storm extent and strength. </p>

Remembering Moore: 25th Anniversary of F5 Tornado

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<p>Numerous high-temperature records fell across the Northeast Thursday, including parts of 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! Raleigh, NC reached 92 degrees with many other cities along the East Coast reaching the 80s and 90s. Some of the records tied or broken are over 125 years old.</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.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/today-1714743002037.jpg">The reason for the cool down in New England is a cold front that moves through. It won't produce a 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><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-03 07-30-20-1714743068852.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>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/2024/05/3 days-1714743002034.jpg">By Wednesday of next week, the temperatures start to soar - highs jump into the 90s and 100s with the potential to tie or break records from Texas through Florida through Friday!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/s reocrds-1714758091469.jpg">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/extended-1714758193432.jpg"></p>

Temps Climb on the East Coast, South

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Drought conditions, low humidity and strong winds will lead to a Critical Fire Risk for cities like El Paso, TX and Roswell, NM today and tonight.  Here is the very latest.
<h1>Drought Monitor</h1>
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Drought conditions continue to take shape across the 4 Corners Region.  This means theses areas under dry and moderate drought conditions could easily see a wildfire today.
<h1>Wind Forecast</h1>
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<img class="alignnone wp-image-102676 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2019/01/7day1-12.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

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Areas being monitored for a critical fire risk could feel winds of 20-30 mph with gusts over 50 mph.  This means if a fire starts it will easily strengthen and spread with wind speeds this strong.
<h1>Wildfire  Prevention</h1>
Here are some helpful hints on how to prevent wildfires.  I would definitely avoid any outdoor activities that involve sparks or flames.

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Keep checking back with WeatherNation for more updates.

Increasing Wildfire Risk for West Texas and Southern New Mexico Today

Drought Monitor

Wind Forecast

Wildfire Prevention

Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms this Weekend

The severe weather risk continues for west Te

Storm Threat Continues in the Plains and Ohio Valley

Unfortunately, we've had back-to-back weeks o

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

An upper low is of cold origin and will drag

Multi-Day Severe Outbreak Possible Monday - Wednesday

Similar areas that have been at risk since th

Texas: 2 FEET of Rain in 5 Days

Texas has been hit with extremely heavy rainf

Remembering Moore: 25th Anniversary of F5 Tornado

Above - Moore, Oklahoma tornado damage in May

Temps Climb on the East Coast, South

Numerous high-temperature records fell across