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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>CALIFORNIA - We have had an incredible snow season and forecast models are trending at another batch moving in as we head into the work week. Snowpack continues to rise in the Sierra and is inching closer to the snowiest year in history, that being 1952-53. We are about 10 feet shy of the snow totals of that winter! Additionally, these systems have been creating isolated strong thunderstorms and very heavy rain. Another round of wet weather continues now through Wednesday as a Pacific low moves onshore, bringing more moisture to waterlogged California.</p><h2>Alerts</h2><p>Winter weather alerts are in effect for the Sierra from Monday night into Wednesday with heavy snow anticipated over 3,000'. Winter storm warnings (in pink) will be for 1-2' of snow between 4,000 - 6,000', 2-3' above 6,000', and 4' above 8,000' in elevation. For Southern California, the Winter Alerts begin Tuesday night and go through Thursday. Heavy snow will be possible about 5,000' in elevation. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/cali alerts-1680035562584.jpg"></p><p>Winds will also be gusting to 50+ mph at times. In addition to snowfall, we expect heavy rain to be a concern along the coastline, prompting more flood alerts and the risk of mudslides &amp; debris flow. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Slight Risk for Excessive Rainfall on Tuesday. A Marginal risk of Excessive Rainfall has been extended into Wednesday, including more areas in Southern California.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/cali tuesday wpc-1679948066232.jpg">Forecast</h2><p>We will see snow spread south into the central and southern Sierra on Tuesday morning. Our first batch of moisture continues throughout the day on Tuesday with high-elevation snow showers and low-elevation rainfall. Another frontal boundary pushes ashore Tuesday night and Wednesday with more rain and snowfall.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/032823-1679996188086.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The heaviest of the snowfall will be in northern California, but we will still see the opportunity for 6-12" of snow for the San Gabriel's in southern California. Isolated spots over 7,500 feet could see upwards of a foot. Meanwhile in the Sierra, widespread snowfall totals over 2 feet are expected with another 3 feet at the highest peaks. Travel will be difficult through HWY 50 and I-80.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/socal snow-1680010521750.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/0327_rsw_californiarainsnow18zJPG-1679963375506.jpeg">The extended pattern into the beginning of April remains active in the western U.S. with above-average rain and snow conditions expected. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the snow amounts and timing for the Western U.S., the Western regional forecast is at :50 past the hour!</p>

Latest Storm Slams the West Coast with Rain & Snow Today

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<p>An area of low pressure and a cold front sweeping through the Gulf Coast this afternoon poses the risk of severe weather. The tornado potential is low but large hail and strong winds remain possible. Heavy rainfall and flooding potential remain another threat.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/dumbflstorms-1680029916762.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has the region under a marginal to slight risk of excessive rainfall as an additional 1-3" of rainfall will be possible, overwhelming saturated soils already in the South.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture-1680029988720.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/103-27_rsc rse 18z rain-1679964442241.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest, your Southeast regional forecast is always :10 past the hour.</p>

Flooding & Strong Storms in the Deep South Today

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<p>Confidence is increasing in the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms erupting across the Plains by Thursday afternoon, and continuing into Friday. In the upper levels, another potent trough will dig into the southwest from California. This upper-level energy will overspread a warm and unstable airmass, characterized by high humidity, transported on a southerly wind from the Gulf. Ample amounts of wind shear along with surface instability should result in vigorous thunderstorm development by the afternoon. All hazards of severe weather will be possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture2-1679855578170.JPG">Although thunderstorm activity is expected by Thursday afternoon, the timing of formation along with the amount of storm coverage is yet to be determined. There appears to be two areas of concern. The first is further north towards the surface low, where low-level shear may be sufficient for a multi-hazard threat. Further south, greater instability ahead of an advancing cold front will provide an opportunity for additional severe thunderstorm development. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture-1680029634073.JPG"></p><p>Confidence is higher in more widespread activity by Friday as the main upper-level energy swings through. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted much of the southern Plains into the Midwest for severe weather potential by the end of the week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture-1680029730896.JPG">We're still a few days out, so some details will need to be worked out. However, it is never too early to prepare, especially this time of year! Severe thunderstorms and all hazards will be possible as we head deeper into Spring. Historically, we see the most tornadoes during April, May, and June. This year we've had a particularly active February and March.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture5-1679855998222.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation as we continue to update this developing situation!</p>

Strong Thunderstorms to Return to the Plains Thursday

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<p>The last few days of March will feature an active pattern for the northern Plains - yet another area of low pressure pushes out of the Rockies Wednesday evening and into Thursday, prompting another round of winter conditions through the end of the week as well. This next wave looks to be a bit more potent, with more snow and wind for the north-central Plains. Snow will start on Wednesday night through the Dakotas and Minnesota along the area warm front, becoming more widespread into the great Lakes region on Thursday afternoon and evening. The warm front will be a focus for severe weather Thursday through Nebraska with large hail and strong winds expected. The following cold front and developing Colorado Low will be a point of focus for the severe weather threat in the central U.S. on Thursday and Friday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-28 08-09-29-1680013255824.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Early model indications put a swath of heavy snow through central South Dakota, Minnesota, and up into the U.P. of Michigan with lake-enhanced snowfall likely. We are still a few days out from the next round of snow but know it looks more intense compared to early this week. Planting season is right around the corner for many farmers in these areas, so more snow is not what we want to deal with into early April! The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted this swath of the high country with the risk of heavy snowfall on Friday. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/gfs late week-1680013224733.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/bams snow late week-1680013234174.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the most up-to-date conditions on the winter that won't end in the Central U.S. - your central regional forecast is always :30 past the hour.</p>

Multiple Waves of Snow for the High Plains this Week

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<p>Are you headed into the High Country over the next few days? Be aware that the avalanche danger is considerable due to snowpack, melting and weak slopes. Sadly, an avalanche in Utah, SW of Salt Lake City killed a snowmobiler on Monday. He was wearing an avalanche backpack and beacon that deployed an air bubble around him during the avalanche, but the snow and power of the slide was incredibly deep. With more snow on the way this week, the avalanche threat continues. Our next round of snow is headed into the Rockies this week, with the potential for mountain snowfall on Thursday in both Utah and Colorado. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted the risk of heavy snow along the Wasatch and Rockies down into the San Juans of Colorado. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/4cornersfridayJPG-1680033785680.jpeg">Snow will begin with a weak system on Wednesday through Utah and becoming more widespread into Colorado through Wednesday night and the first part of Thursday. A lot will depend on the timing of the low pressure system out of California, but we expect difficult travel on I-70 and I-80 starting Wednesday. Most snow showers will wind down by midday Thursday with just a few showers lingering into the overnight and first part of Friday in Colorado. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-28 13-57-28-1680034385192.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Snowfall totals in the high country will be in the range of 3-6" with locally higher amounts based on elevation and our heaviest snow showers. Stay weather aware if you are traveling or headed into the mountains to ski as snow will reduce visibility and make roadways slick. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-28 13-56-14-1680034172693.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Avalanche Risk Remains Considerable through the Rockies with More Snow this Week

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<p>A quick moving area of low pressure will sweep across the northern tier of the country this week, bringing a bit of snowy and rainy conditions to the Great Lakes and then the Northeast on Wednesday and Thursday. We don't have any winter alerts in place as snowfall totals will be generally less than 3" in many spots, but the wet weather reminds us that Mother Nature isn't done with winter just yet! A frontal boundary swinging through the Great Lakes will touch off snow showers Wednesday morning and throughout the day. We may see a few rain showers closer to central Indiana and Illinois, but bottom line this is a messy system. Onto the Northeast by Wednesday evening and Thursday, with snow showers at our highest elevations and rain for the valleys and coast.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-28 13-42-09-1680032571310.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>In terms of snowfall in the Great Lakes, don't expect much more than a couple inches, right along the lake shore where we have lake enhancement. For the Northeast, terrain will help to drive an additional 2-3" of snowfall for the season. Typically we see our last snowfall in April for the Great Lakes and Northeast, so this could be one of our last snow systems this year.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/GL snowfall-1680030279108.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/NE snowfall-1680030266591.JPG">Temperatures will be warm ahead of the front on Wednesday before dropping down towards and below average on Thursday with the cold front's arrival. Spots along I-95 go from the 60s back into the 40s to round out the work week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3 day temps-1680030446698.JPG"></p><p>You can catch your eastern regional forecast, always :10 past the hour on WeatherNation for the latest on the Spring system.</p>

Snow Stretches from the Great Lakes to the Northeast

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<p>The same storm system that is impacting California with heavy mountain snowfall and coastal rain is also bringing snow to the mountains of Oregon, Washington and Idaho this week. Winter weather alerts are in effect through Wednesday morning with some alerts continuing even into Friday in Idaho as high elevation snowfall is expected. Heavy snowfall in the higher elevations of up to 3 feet will be possible, especially in the Northern Oregon Cascades. Steady snow favors the highest terrain through today, with snowfall tapering for Washington and Oregon late Wednesday night as the area of low pressure pulls into the High Plains. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-28 08-35-05-1680014494040.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Generally about 6-10" of snowfall is expected for the highest peaks of the Cascades and the Bitterroots. Those in the valleys will see rainfall, less than .5". </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/pnw snow-1680014581411.JPG">Temperatures during the day will be in the 40s and 50s for our major cities, and 30s in the mountains. This is slightly below average for this time of year. More cold air is expected further east, for the Plains of Wyoming and Montana as the area of low pressure and snow impacts them Wednesday &amp; Thursday. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3 day highs-1680014635950.jpg">For more on this weather headline be sure to join us at :50 minutes past the hour for your western regional forecast.</p>

Winter Continues in the Western U.S. with Snow in the Rockies & Cascades

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<em>"It was nerve racking, it jolted me. I was kind-of shocked for a second. The umbrella flew out of my hand and I was kind-of disoriented and ran to my car and just tried to get out of harms way,"</em> recounts Romulus McNeill after he found himself way too close to a cloud-to-ground lightning strike.

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WeatherNation Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo spoke with Romulus about this video, showing an incredibly-close lightning strike that occurred on Thursday.

<em>"We were having a teacher-parent conference night for back to school and it was 6:42 p.m. and every one had already left the building. I had reservations about going</em>
<em>outside because I didn't want to get struck by lightning. And when I went outside, it just struck. And it was just kind-of shocking. It was nerve racking, it jolted me.</em>
<em>I was kind-of shocked for a second. The umbrella flew out of my hand and I was kind-of disoriented and ran to my car and just tried to get out of harms way,"</em> describes Romulus.

Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes happen in an instant. Lightning can strike miles from the base or top of a thunderstorm cloud. Always remember, 'When Thunder Roars, Head Indoors.'

Romulus continues his experience,<em> "I felt like a static shock to my body. Like I said it hit on my right side and it was so quick, I just instantly got nervous and nerve racked. My principal said he</em>
<em>watched it through the inside of the building. He saw it from inside the building. It was thunder and lightning at the same time. What was crazy was that I saw the</em>
<em>lightning strike in front of me across the street by a store, but the lightning actually...I guess may have diverted or it could have been another lightning strike that</em>
<em>came right towards me."</em>

In terms of advice for folks reading/watching this story?

<em>"I'm going to be super careful about going outside in any lightning period...or thunder!"</em>

Our appreciation to Romulus for allowing us to share this weather story to help others truly understand the dangers of lightning!

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier