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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>The spring season often means rounds of strong and severe storms in the heart of the country, with this April being no exception. A potent upper-level low-pressure system is moving across the Plains creating wind shear and lift in the atmosphere. At the surface, a well-developed dryline from west Texas to west-central Kansas is the focus for storm development. </p><p>Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/weekend-forecast-more-severe-weather-in-the-plains"><strong><em><u>Weekend Severe Threat</u></em></strong></a></p><p>Today there is an <strong>ENHANCED RISK</strong> (level 3 out of 5) on the threat scale with pockets of large hail, strong winds, and a few tornadoes all on the table. This morning will have rain in Arkansas and Missouri before daytime heating helps to develop more individual storm cells through the afternoon and evening hours in west Kansas and Oklahoma. Those storms develop into a line that will be the focus Friday morning. Individual storm cells pose the risk of rotation, creating tornadoes and damaging hail and downburst winds while the line of storms overnight will be a primarily straight-line wind threat. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-25 07-19-47-1714051626173.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Cities under risk again on Friday include Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, and Dallas. Our northern cities of Kansas City, Omaha, and Des Moines have a heightened risk of tornadoes and damaging hail from individual supercells that develop in the afternoon. Please have numerous ways to get alerts.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/strong tors-1714052113008.jpg">The severe weather trend continues on Friday for the Midwest and Mississippi Delta. A line of strong storms will be the focus in the morning before individual storms develop in the second half of the day in eastern Oklahoma and Kansas. Weather will be widespread throughout the entire central Central U.S. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-25 07-32-48-1714052096994.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Significant Storm Threat Today, Friday

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<p>We are looking at the threat of another severe weather outbreak for the final weekend of April. Historically, our highest number of tornadoes occur in April and May.  If it seems like April has been particularly busy with severe weather, that would be correct - except for two days, each day has seen some level of severe weather. More than one-third of those days have been Level 3 or higher.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/spc -1714052839320.jpg">Our storm threat on Saturday is an <strong>ENHANCED</strong> (level 3 out of 5) risk and there are two areas at risk: the first will be the leftover storms from Friday in the Great Lakes and more storm development in Oklahoma and Kansas thanks to our dryline and area of low pressure. The southern threat will be more potent with damaging hail and tornadoes possible. These are similar areas that are under the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-to-the-plains-thursday-friday"><strong><em><u>Severe Weather on Thursday and Friday</u></em></strong></a>, so don't let the severe weather fatigue get you. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-25 07-43-58-1714053034454.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>More severe weather looks likely on Sunday as the front hits warm, moist air over the central and southern Plains. The Storm Prediction Center has issued severe weather outlooks across the Great Plains and Midwest, indicating confidence in the threat of severe weather potential. Severe weather will continue into Monday morning in an overnight severe weather threat so please look ahead to the weekend and have multiple ways to get alerts.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/sun severe-1714052839323.jpg">  </p><p></p><p>In addition to the severe weather, there is a flood threat, especially in Missouri, eastern Kansas, and Oklahoma. Our bullseye for the heaviest rain will be Saturday through central Oklahoma and northern Texas. We anticipate with multiple rounds of heavy rainfall the ground will struggle to absorb additional rain that falls this weekend. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/rainfall-1714052839321.jpg">  </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/flood 2-1714052839318.jpg">  </p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the severe weather threat and forecast information.</p>

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather

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<p>National Park Week started Saturday, April 20th, and runs through Sunday, April 28th, It is a week to celebrate the over <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm"><strong><em><u>400 National Parks</u></em></strong></a>! Throughout the week, parks will host events to highlight the unique nature of the parks, how you can volunteer, and the innovation happening across the country. National Park Week also encompasses Earth Day, on Monday, April 22nd.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/nps-1713740968123.png"></p><p>At WeatherNation we spoke to some of the most popular, and lesser-known, national parks across the U.S. and highlighted them in our "Get Out and Explore" series.</p><h2>Catoctin Mountain Park (Maryland)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">This mountain park sits near the hustle and bustle of East Coast cities such as D.C. and Philly and allows people to explore the great outdoors and reconnect with nature. The heavily forested park offers hiking, camping, stargazing, and more. If you look closely you might even find old whiskey and moonshine stills during the prohibition period.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W9VRUt93epc" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Death Valley National Park (California)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Home of extreme weather, this park is known for canyons, salt flats, and North America’s lowest point. &nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4d1AmHZQRw8?si=-FBI8TOpXtvw7zoz" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Alaska)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Lake Clark in Alaska sits about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and is only accessible via small plane. This park boasts incredible wildlife and views as well as some of Alaska’s extreme weather.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U3IM3w8M1Yc?si=i22NXFs0uVL_TX3y" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Lava Beds National Park (N. California)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Sitting just south of Oregon, Lava Beds National Monument is surrounded by volcanos. Visitors can explore lava tubes ranging in difficulty from easy to expert. This gives people a chance to explore the “volcanic plumbing” of the region. &nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6c0aGmAgC38?si=BPzHjKS7iBSK5K3X" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P. (Colorado)</h2><p><span style="color: inherit">Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the steepest and narrowest canyon of the entire U.S. and sits in Southwest Colorado. The canyon provides intense changes in temperatures and is impacted by monsoon season during the summer months.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/getko7k6xv8?si=FBWTTOSZJH-3EkeR" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Badlands National Park (South Dakota)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">An “undiscovered gem” in the national park system, Badlands offers landscapes, wildlife, and spectacular stargazing. NPS recommends spending at least some time in the park at night to fully experience another side of the park.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbXfbFmDko0?si=V71zMdVtyCkH_o9K" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Manassas National Battlefield Park (Virginia)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">History lovers will love taking a trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Home of two major civil war battles, the park has acres of walking tours to explore a piece of American history.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cTg1gYAD1o8?si=nn75R3h1z054AFxh" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (New Hampshire)</h2><p>Check out the only national park dedicated to a sculpture! It doesn't open until May so mark your calendars for next month.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xlEEJRl0d_w?si=yPubZ3-sANBW6iiQ" start="0"></iframe></div><h2></h2>

National Park Week: Get Out and Explore

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<p>A critical fire risk is in place for west Texas, eastern Colorado, and New Mexico through the next few days as gusty winds in combination with dry grasses and low humidity create a dangerous situation. If a spark were to start, these are the conditions where rapid, life-threatening fire growth would be possible. Humidity values will be in the single digits and teens meaning there will be no moisture in our atmosphere to help taper fire growth. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/dew point-1714053897091.jpg">Strong winds are anticipated on Thursday and Friday, especially through New Mexico where there are high wind alerts through Friday. Winds will be sustained along the Front Range of New Mexico and Colorado between 30-50 mph with isolated wind gusts over r65 mph. If a flame starts it will move as quickly as the winds, at about 40 mph. We can't stress enough how critical this week's fire risk is. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-25 08-00-52-1714054149072.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Drought conditions are extreme and exceptional for southern New Mexico while most of the region is experiencing moderate drought with pockets of severe drought (level 3 out of 5) for northern New Mexico and SW Texas.  </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/drought-1714053897089.jpg"></p>

Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

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<p>More people die from heat every year than ALL other extreme weather COMBINED. So how do you know how hot it is it <em>really</em> going to be?&nbsp;The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] and the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control [CDC] worked collaboratively to produce a new HeatRisk tool rolling out this summer from coast to coast. The tool had previously been used on the West Coast, but the 2024 summer will bring this experimental product to all cities across the U.S. </p><p>According to <span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">Kimberly McMahon, the NWS Public Weather Services Program Manager, "HeatRisk is a great tool to just put into context, how hot it's going to be compared to what they're used to." </span></p><p><span>The HeatRisk scale ranges from minor to extreme impacts and is color-coded from yellow to magenta. For reference, a MINOR impact day is your typical summer day.&nbsp;MODERATE days bring impact to vulnerable populations, especially people who are in the sun for long periods or without A/C. On these days, fans and open windows help to alleviate heat impacts inside.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/major-1713896597233.jpg"><span>MAJOR impact days can be deadly for those without A/C and power interruptions are possible due to the heat stress. Hospitals are likely to see an increase in the number of ER visits due to heat-related illnesses. Outdoor activities should be shifted to cooler times of the day.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/mod-1713896597231.jpg"><span>Finally, EXTREME impact days are for long-duration or potentially record-breaking heat events. There will be little to no relief from the heat overnight... and power outages are likely due to the stress on the grid. Outdoor activities should be canceled, and you should stay in cool spaces.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: windowtext">&nbsp;In 2023 during Phoenix's month-long stretch of 100°+ degree days, more people died in their un-air conditions homes than outdoors. </span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/xtreme-1713896597235.jpg">The HeatRisk tool incorporated heat forecast and historical data from NOAA to include: how above normal the temperatures are, the time of year, the duration of the heat, and overnight relief potential.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;It also considers at what temperature heat deaths occur for over 700 cities in the U.S.. That data was imperative in designing the tool to know at what level heat becomes deadly, unique to geographic location. For example, Phoenix's 110°, though hot, wouldn't be an "extreme" day during the summer. Take that same 110° but for Chicago? The risk becomes extreme. </span><span>Look for the new HeatRisk product and temperature forecasts this summer on WeatherNationTV. For more information from NOAA, visit the </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/#:~:text=The%20NWS%20HeatRisk%20is%20an,both%20daytime%20and%20nighttime%20temperatures"><strong><em><u><span>HeatRisk Dashboard.</span></u></em></strong></a></p>

NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s noisemakers are set to return in a <em>big</em> way this year as not one, but <em>two</em> sets of periodical cicadas will emerge in the Midwest and Southeast. It is the first time these two specific broods have surfaced <em>together</em> since 1803! This is the first time since 2015 that a 13 year cycle brood emerges at the same year as a 17 year brood.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5jJPrP5rfE" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p>The southern brood emerges every 13 years and is known as the <strong>Brood XIX, </strong>the largest brood in the U.S.. The Northern Illinois brood has a period of 17 years, making these two broods overlap uncommon. They will only overlap in central Illinois, where is expected to be the noisest!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Closer look at Illinois locations overlap.mp4_snapshot_00.01.232-1713196589008.jpg"></p><blockquote><p>Katie Dana, a researcher with the Illinois Natural History Survey who studies the cicadas says, “We have broods emerging across the U.S. almost every year, but we don’t often have broods emerging at the same time. Just like how birds have different songs, cicadas have different songs...we have over 3,000 different species of cicadas so we have so many different songs.”</p></blockquote><p>Periodical Cicadas are large, loud insects with bright red eyes. They live underground for years. Once the cicadas take to the skies, they will be in the air for about 3-4 weeks, mating before laying eggs and reburying themselves for another 13 or 17 years.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Slow zoom east coast brood locations.mp4_snapshot_00.06.391-1713196589005.jpg">Depending on where you live, the double brood emergence could start as soon as April but will happen whenever the ground temperatures reach 64°. According to Katie, “It’s those warm soils that push them out of the ground, but they’re also looking for some moisture. If you have really dry soil, it’s going to make it hard for them to dig out.” Given that we've had some of our warmest winters on record in the Midwest we are looking at the opportunity for earlier emergence of the broods.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Warmest Winter on Record.mp4_snapshot_00.05.538-1713196589007.jpg">If you’re less than thrilled about these beaty-eyed bugs, focus on the positives. They provide extra nutrition for birds and animals and spark a reset for oak trees allowing them to produce more acorns a few years after they emerge. If that’s not enough to get you through... the next time these two broods will be out at the same time won't be for another 221 years, which will give you plenty of time to learn to appreciate the cicada screams.</p>

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

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<p>Snow is in the forecast for Denver, which could be our last snowfall of the year - right on track. The Mile High City is no stranger to some wild temperature swings and this week is no different. After snow and frosty conditions happened last weekend, highs jump into the 70s for the Front Range and wider Southwest through Thursday. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-24 170055-1713999663409.png"></p><p>Despite the warmer weather, a cool down is incoming across the southwest as two areas of low-pressure slide in. Our first low moving through now and Thursday will aid thunderstorm development along I-80 in northern Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming. A second area of low pressure arrives Thursday afternoon through the weekend and packs a bigger punch.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-24 11-42-48-1713980619657.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>If you live in the western United States you can expect hit or miss showers throughout the morning hours and more widespread rain and snowshoers (dependent on temperature and elevation) throughout the day. Check out our forecast models for the next couple of days. Thanks to a couple of upper-level troughs the atmosphere looks to remain mostly unsettled.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-24_west 18z-1714007794412.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Our heaviest snow will be in the Rockies with snow in the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch Range of Utah. A bit of snow could make it to Denver and SLC, which is not uncommon for late April. The average last snow in Denver is April 28th and in Salt Lake City on average is April 16.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-24_west fcst-1714007938143.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on our warm temperatures and weekend snow potential.</p>

Alana Cameron

Record Warmth to Weekend Snow in the Four Corners

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Saturday brings a chance for severe storms to the Rockies and areas east. A trough of low pressure churns up moisture, feeding up from the Gulf, bringing chances for strong storms and hail to the front range and eventually to the central U.S. this weekend.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-95639 size-large" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/1-16-728x408.jpg" alt="Severe Storm Chances, More Hail Likely for the Rockies" width="728" height="408" />

Storms fire up along the trough of low pressure starting early in the afternoon. Damaging hail, gusty winds and heavy rain are all threats Saturday in the highlighted area below.

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Low pressure pushes east for the tail end of the weekend and so does the threat for severe storms. The best chance for strong storms will be over Oklahoma and Arkansas.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-95640 size-large" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/2-15-728x408.jpg" alt="Severe Storm Chances, More Hail Likely for the Rockies" width="728" height="408" /> <img class="alignnone wp-image-95642 size-large" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/4-14-728x408.jpg" alt="Severe Storm Chances, More Hail Likely for the Rockies" width="728" height="408" />

For Weather Nation: Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/emily-roehler/">Emily Roehler</a>