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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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We have two areas of focus for severe weather today - one through northern Iowa and another through the Mississippi delta. All modes of severe weather are possible - damaging tornadoes, winds and large hail. In the upper levels, a strong upper low will dig into the southwest from California. This upper-level energy will overspread warm, humid air at the surface, transported on a southerly wind from the Gulf. All severe weather ingredients will be in place for thunderstorm development by the afternoon, and all hazards of severe weather will be possible: damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. We have an ENHANCED (level 4 out of 5 risk) for severe storms centered around Jonesboro, Memphis and up into Paducah, KY this afternoon. However, the severe weather threat extends far beyond into east Texas, the I-20 corridor and south of Louisiana, Mississippi and northern Alabama.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/south severe today-1680267270608.JPG">Damaging winds and tornadoes will be the primary concerns as the front moves through. Remember, it only takes one storm to impact you, and take all warnings very seriously today. Please have a plan in place in case severe weather strikes, and during the event of a tornado move to a basement or interior room away from windows. There is a significant risk for tornadoes and damaging winds across the mid-South. Some of the cities included in this are Memphis, Little Rock, Paducah, Jackson, Tupelo and Memphis. With a significant tornado threat there is a chance for strong, long track tornadoes with windspeeds higher than 110 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/south tor-1680267204876.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/south sig tor-1680267196584.JPG">With a significant wind, gusts can reach hurricane strength at over 75 mph. Straight line winds of that strength can do damage similar to an EF-0 tornado. Bring any items inside that could get damaged from severe storms, or are at risk of being blown away!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/south sig wind-1680267184847.JPG">As the cold front swings through the Deep South Friday more storms will develop with a pocket through Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The early storms that are individual supercells will have the highest chance to produce tornadoes during the midday hours. This will morph into a gusty wind threat as the individual supercells merge into a squall line with damaging winds through the late evening and overnight. Embedded tornadoes will still be possible with in the line of storms through the overnight hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-30 RSE stormz-1680232205782.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>You can plan and prepare for severe weather before it strikes. The day before, stock up on any essentials and charge electronics. Review your severe weather safety plan with your family. That plan should include knowing where your safe place is during a severe storm, and how to get there. The day of the event, stay up-to-date with the latest weather watches and warnings. Prepare to take action, if needed! Stay with WeatherNation as we continue to update this developing situation!

Significant Severe Weather Event for the South Friday

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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>

Rob Bradley

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A strong low pressure system will move across the Plains and Midwest today, leading to widespread severe storms that could cause significant damage, including from strong tornadoes and damaging wind (above in pink and red). Wind gusts could top 60-70 mph in the red and pink highlighted areas as well. Straight line wind can do just as much damage as a low-end tornado. Please take all weather warnings seriously and remove any outdoor items that could blow away or become damaged by severe storms. There is a level 4 (MODERATE) risk through the Upper Midwest with a much wider level 3 and 2 threat through the Plains and Midwest. Please have multiple ways to get alerts throughout the day on Friday as we expect widespread, strong storms with large hail and damaging winds possible. The tornado threat (in red below) is most elevated across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois, where low level rotation near the surface is strongest. This is also where stronger, longer track tornadoes are possible during the afternoon and evening. Storms could be moving as fast as 60 miles per hour, so you may not get a lot of lead time when a warning is issued. This is why it's important to have a safety plan and know where to go in the event a warning is issued for your town.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/tor north-1680268303242.JPG">There is a significant tornado risk (in red below) for parts of Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri. This means that the environment here is conducive for strong, longer track tornadoes, EF-2 or greater. This is the same threat we had last Friday when tornadoes tore through Mississippi. Every storm is different, but this indicates consistency and seriousness of the issuance of the outlook. There is a significant risk for strong winds too (in blue). Wind gusts can reach over 75 mph, these are hurricane strength winds! Now is the time to have a plan in place in the event of severe weather, and make sure everyone in your household can get to your safe place quickly. Additionally there is the risk of significant hail, 2" in diameter or larger through similar areas today. Move anything under cover that can be damaged by large ice. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig hail north-1680268269503.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig wind north-1680268230594.JPG">The approaching low-pressure system and cold front will generate showers and general thunderstorms through mid morning in the upper Mississippi River Valley. These move into the Midwest by lunchtime. With daytime heating, energy in the atmosphere will increase and storms will begin to develop early afternoon from Green Bay down to St. Louis. The early storms will have a better chance of producing tornadoes due to their individual nature, but all severe hazards will be possible with all storms at any point in time. As evening wears on, the severe threat will transition to primarily a gusty wind threat as the storms merge into a squall line with powerful winds. The line will continue to move east through cities like Detroit and Cincinnati in the overnight hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-31 05-18-49-1680262112512.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>You can plan and prepare for severe weather before it strikes. The day before, stock up on any essentials and charge electronics. Review your severe weather safety plan with your family. That plan should include knowing where your safe place is during a severe storm, and how to get there. The day of the event, stay up-to-date with the latest weather watches and warnings. Prepare to take action, if needed!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/5-1680216116418.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation on the latest severe weather threat in the central plains and Great Lakes region - the central regional forecast is :30 past the hour.

Severe Weather Outbreak Expected in the Midwest Today

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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Spring is here, but it certainly won't feel like it in the Northern plains as the same system that is producing severe weather will wrap in cold air from Canada and intensify, creating strong winds and the risk of blizzard conditions in the Dakotas. Just another warm air will linger at the mid-levels of the atmosphere, producing the ice threat. Blizzard conditions are in place for today and into early Saturday morning for South Dakota and Minnesota. With this system we can see gusts up to 50 mph, heavy snow and limited visibility.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/blizzard warnings-1680268860197.JPG"> As the low pressure system moves to the east, snow will continue to increase through the day today. All precipitation types will be possible, with freezing rain chances highest around the Great Lakes and Eastern South Dakota. The evening commute will be impacted, so make sure to use caution when traveling. The heaviest of the precipitation will be out of the region by mid morning Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-31 07-15-41-1680268791537.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy snow will be likely with this system as it moves through today and tomorrow. Expect widespread wintry precipitation through today, and snow rates can reach 1 to 2 inches per hour. Some of the heaviest snowfall totals will be upwards of a foot.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/snow north central-1680268904320.JPG">Freezing rain will also be an impact. There is an ice storm warning in place for Eastern South Dakota including the city of Watertown. ice accumulations of one tenth to four tenths of an inch will be possible, and snow accumulations of up to 9 inches, in the same areas with ice. Driving conditions can be slick especially on bridges and overpasses in conditions like this, so use caution if traveling.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/ice storm-1680268893996.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.

Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains

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A potent area of low pressure that is spawning severe weather in the Midwest and Southern Plains will push into the Northeast on Saturday, producing widespread gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall. <h2>Severe Threat</h2>The severe weather threat on Friday stretches from the Lower Great Lakes into the Northeast, with a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) threat for much of Ohio, Pennsylvania and western New York. However, the marginal risk extends towards Boston, NYC and much of the I-95 corridor. Our primary threat on Saturday will be for damaging winds. The storm system moving through will continue to intensify at the surface and upper levels, drawing in wind and pressure. Already the storm system will be windy, so any storm that develops will have the potential to reach severe criteria (gusts 58 mph) more quickly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc ne saturday-1680266542640.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/ne spc wind sat-1680266554211.JPG"><h2>Wind Threat</h2>Widespread wind alerts are in effect through the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic on Saturday as the surface low pressure system and frontal boundaries move through. We will see widespread wind gusts in the range of 30-40 mph with locally higher gusts, especially along the lakeshores and on the east side of the Appalachian mountains. Please make sure that you tie down anything that can blow away in the wind. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/wind alerts saturday-1680267664673.JPG"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-31 06-37-36-1680266585928.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Forecasting</h2>Showers and storms push north overnight along the warm front, but most of these should be sub-severe. Still, pockets of heavy rain and gusty winds are likely through the nighttime hours. Another push of storms arrives when the surface low and cold front move through on Saturday afternoon and evening. Enough cold air gets wrapped into the system that we will even see some snow showers for northern Maine and New Hampshire. Showers and storms finally clear the area by sundown on Saturday night. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-31 06-36-56-1680267836424.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We will see rainfall on the order of 1" for many with locally higher totals thanks to elevation of the Tug Hill Plateau, northern New England mountains and the Blue Ridge. Snow showers will follow the severe weather threat with the potential for a couple inches of snowfall and icing through northern New England and New York. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/rne wet weather-1680267932157.JPG">Catch the eastern regional forecast always :10 past the hour and in your top weather headlines always streaming 24/7.

Windy & Severe storms to Hit the Northeast Saturday

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Two separate fires broke out in Colorado on Thursday following strong winds. The first, the County Road 403 Fire is burning in Park County, to the west of Colorado Springs. Evacuations are in effect for eastern Park County and neighboring Teller county. This fire spread rapidly thanks to gusty winds and low relative humidity. Another fire broke out southeast of Denver, in rural Elbert county. Given the strong winds the fire grew rapidly to over 700 acres. Thankfully, evacuation orders for this fire have been lifted. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/simla fire-1680272926891.JPG">There is a high fire danger threat through the Southern Plains and eastern Four Corners this week as an area of low pressure develops in the Lee of the Rockies, producing gusty winds and dry conditions for much of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma along with western Kansas today and even some alerts lingering into Saturday. The Storm Prediction Center, which produces outlooks for severe weather, also produces fire outlooks; they have highlighted today as the most critical fire risk. Winds will be quite gusty, in the range of 20-30 mph with locally stronger gusts. Tie down anything that could blow away and be prepared for pockets of blowing dust and dirt.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/fire alerts-1680273002577.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/wind alerts-1680273062123.JPG">Areas of west Texas, central Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas are suffering under extreme and exceptional drought conditions. We will be concerned about any spark spreading quickly through dry brush and grass. Relative humidity values during the day will be in the single digits during the daytime hours, allowing flames to grow rather than dampen under the increased humidity of the atmosphere.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-31 08-19-02-1680273078212.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Here are some tips on preventing the spark of wildfires: Properly dispose of lit matches, cigarettes, or cigars. Avoid using equipment that causes a spark. Obey local burn bans by postponing any prescribed burns you may have had. If allowed to burn, make sure campfires are completely extinguished, cool to the touch!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/8-1680216396828.jpg">For the latest on the fire danger and wind in the Southern Plains, join WeatherNation, streaming 24/7.

Fire Breaks Out in Colorado Mountains

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The same front that will sweep through the southern Plains bringing widespread severe weather concerns will then move into the southeast on Saturday. While a lot of the energy and moisture for the severe weather will be used up with Friday's storms a few strong and severe storms will linger into the weekend. There is enough CAPE (convective available potential energy) for these storms to develop (shown above). As a result, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a MARGINAL risk mostly for damaging winds. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, given the shear and spin in the atmosphere. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/marg saturday-1680270289006.JPG">Showers and storms will develop along the cold front on Saturday morning, continuing to push to the east throughout the day. This is a fairly fast moving system, so we anticipate storms to be off the coast around dinner time on Saturday. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-31 07-15-41-1680271371832.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall accumulations will be generally light - in the range of of 1-2" through the south and because storms are moving quickly we won't have the potential for repeated rounds of rainfall, or "training" of storms. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/rainfall-1680271567319.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the severe weather potential and rain chances in the South. Your Southeast regional forecast is always :10 past the hour.

Saturday Features a Few Storms in the Southeast

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The same storm system that is impacting California with heavy mountain snowfall and coastal rain is also bringing snow to the northwest. Winter alerts are now beginning to expire for the Northern Rockies. However, we have more alerts being issued out ahead of the next round of snow for the weekend. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Futurecast Now-1680231927041.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As the area of low pressure pushes inland, more snow will arrive in the Bitterroots and northern Rockies. Heavy snow and gusty winds will make travel difficult at times. The second system arriving later on Friday brings a round of coastal and low elevation rain before the heavy mountain snow sets in.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/10-1680216526575.jpg">Generally, about 6-12" of snowfall is expected for the highest peaks of the Cascades and the Bitterroots. Those in the valleys and coast will get around an inch of rain, with higher totals possible in isolated spots.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/11-1680216556195.jpg">For Friday, temperatures during the day will be in the 40s and 50s for our major cities and the 30s in the mountains. This is slightly below average for this time of year. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1680232052013.jpg">The grand snow totals through the weekend could top 2-4 feet on the highest peaks! For more on this weather headline be sure to join us at :50 minutes past the hour for your western regional forecast.

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

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Looking for something fun to do with your kids on Saturday without having to leave the house? It's the 10th anniversary of "Kids to Parks Day" on May 16, but this year instead of visiting national parks, they are bringing them to you!

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This year, it will be renamed "Parks to Kids Day" and will become a digital experience that will take you <a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/id1460477186" target="_blank" rel="noopener">virtually to national parks</a> all over the United States for free!  Families will also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities from home including <a href="https://kidstoparks.parktrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Scavenger-Hunt.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backyard scavenger hunts</a>, creating your own park, and even games such as <a href="https://kidstoparks.parktrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Buddy-Bisons-Backyard-Bingo-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddy Bison’s Backyard Bingo</a>! 

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You can find more resources and details on <a href="https://kidstoparks.parktrust.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#ParkToKids Day here</a> and also, don't forget to check the weather in your backyard with our WeatherNation meteorologists all week long! You can watch us on your phone, tablet, or any streaming devices such as PlutoTV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV. We want to help you have a safe and happy weekend bringing the Great Outdoors to your neighborhood!

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