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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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The spring season often means rounds of strong and severe storms in the heart of the country, with this April being no exception. Another storm system looks to continue that trend, with scattered severe storms expected in the Plains and Midwest, on Thursday and Friday.Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/wet-weekend-in-the-lone-star-state">Front Sparks Storms in Texas Tuesday &amp; Wednesday </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/weekend-forecast-more-severe-weather-in-the-plains">Weekend Severe Threat</a>A potent upper-level low-pressure system will eject from the Rocky Mountains and move across the Plains. This will help create wind shear and lift in the atmosphere. At the surface, a well-developed dryline is forecast from west Texas to west-central Kansas. This is the boundary between dry air and muggy air and where storms could form from mid to late afternoon. Instability could be high, with forecast models already indicating a good amount of available energy.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-23 07-39-30-1713879817199.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Thursday is highlighted as an ENHANCED RISK (level 3 out of 5) on the threat scale, indicating the Storm Prediction Centers' (SPC) confidence in the forecast with pockets of large hail, strong winds, and a few tornadoes all on the table. The SPC highlighted portions of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas for an elevated chance of seeing all forms of severe weather.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Day 2 SPC-1713953373235.png">We start Thursday with heavy rain in the Texahoma before daytime heating helps to develop more individual storm cells through the afternoon and evening hours. Those individual storm cells pose the risk of rotation which commonly spawns tornadoes, along with damaging hail and downburst winds. A similar trend occurs on Friday for the Midwest and Mississippi Delta.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/stormies-1713918484517.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Cities under risk again on Friday include Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, and Dallas. Once again all modes of severe weather are possible. Please have numerous ways to get alerts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Day 3 SPc-1713953402729.png">

Caitlin Connell

Significant Storm Threat Thursday

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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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The severe threat continues for portions of the country into the weekend, as an active pattern sets up. If it feels that April has been busy with severe weather you'd be right - every day except for two has seen a level of severe weather with more than a third of those days being level 3 or higher.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/calendar-1713903464344.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/foreast through tonight -1713921116120.png">Wednesday an area of low pressure will linger and we can see showers and storms pop up through the day. The best chance to see storms get going will be with diurnal heating in the afternoon and evening hours. These storms look to linger into the overnight hours a little longer and later than today's chances. So, make sure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts, and in a way that can wake you up.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-23 11-37-36-1713894018584.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The severe weather threat <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-to-the-plains-thursday-friday">continues into Thursday, Friday</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/weekend-forecast-more-severe-weather-in-the-plains">even the weekend</a> for similar areas. Please stay weather-aware!

Front Sparks Storms in Texas Oklahoma Through Wednesday

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We are looking at the threat of another severe weather outbreak for the final weekend in April. Historically, our highest number of tornadoes occur in April and May, so we are deep into severe weather season. Related Article -<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-to-the-plains-thursday-friday"> Severe Weather Thursday - Friday</a>This weekend there are two outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center on Saturday and Sunday indicating high confidence in the threat of severe weather this weekend. This will be similar to areas that are under the severe weather threat on Thursday and Friday. Once again all modes of severe weather are likely. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/sat -1713881543374.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/sun-1713881543372.jpg">It is a bit too early to talk potential timing of the severe weather, but know that in addition to the severe weather, there is also a flood threat, especially in Missouri, eastern Kansas, and southern Illinois. This is thanks to heavy rainfall in combination with saturated soils from heavy rain already falling earlier in the week. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/rain-1713886204776.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the severe weather threat and forecast information.

Alana Cameron

Weekend Forecast: More Severe Weather in the Plains

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As a low pressure system worked through Tuesday, we saw some severe storms with small hail in portions of Michigan. Hail reached from penny to quarter size hail (1 inch). This system will move east Wednesday and will bring rain chances there.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/HAIL REPORTS JB-1713922473370.png">This system will move east and storms will continue to weaken. Showers and storms will move out of eastern Michigan by the morning hours. The severe threat has been downgraded to just a general risk of thunderstorms overnight.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/JFKFKJFKKJJF-1713920449969.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This cold front will keep pushing east into the northeastern U.S. bringing mostly rain but as cooler air gets pulled in behind the boundary some spots in western New York may catch a few snow flurries behind this.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/wednesday forecast-1713920873848.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As mentioned above, temperatures drop behind the front and lows will be once again in the 20s and 40s. We will see the potential for frost and freeze conditions cross the northern tier of the country. Pull those potted plants inside and cover any new vegetation growth.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/forsty-1713904431201.jpg">Forecast rainfall won't be too impressive in most spots, generally, less than an inch of rainfall. We could use the rain along the borders of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada! We haven't seen much moisture in the last 30 days. We're taking baby steps to add some more rain into the mix!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/30 day-1713731967062.png">

Active For The Great Lakes & Northeast

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More people die from heat every year than ALL other extreme weather COMBINED. So how do you know how hot it is it really 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. According to 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." 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.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/major-1713896597233.jpg">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.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/mod-1713896597231.jpg">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;&nbsp;In 2023 during Phoenix's month-long stretch of 100°+ degree days, more people died in their un-air conditions homes than outdoors. <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.&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. Look for the new HeatRisk product and temperature forecasts this summer on WeatherNationTV. For more information from NOAA, visit the <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">HeatRisk Dashboard.</a>

NOAA Debuts "HeatRisk" Tool Nationwide

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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 this past weekend and the start of the work week, highs jump into the 70s for the Front Range and wider Southwest through Thursday. We could hit records in New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon too! Temperatures have been in the 90s and 100s for Phoenix and that heat will linger a bit longer before a cool down arrives in time for the weekend. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/three day temps-1713893137483.jpg">The cooldown is thanks in part to a couple of areas of low pressure that slid into the Southwest from the Pacific this week. Our first low through Thursday will aid in thunderstorm development along I-80 in northern Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming but doesn't knock temperatures too much. A second area of low pressure arrives Thursday through the weekend and packs a bigger punch. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-23 11-15-22-1713893360546.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As mentioned above the first area of low pressure through Midweek impacts the northern tier of the Southwest with isolated showers and a rumble of thunder. Storms bubble up in the heat of the day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, moving from Northwest to Southeast around the flow of our low. More moisture arrives Thursday night on the West Coast making its way into the Four Corners Friday and continuing into Sunday for Colorado and New Mexico. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-23 11-16-17-1713893038077.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Our heaviest snow will be in the Colorado Rockies with snow in the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch Range of Utah. A bit of snow could make it down into Denver and SLC, which isn't uncommon for late April. The average last snow in Denver is April 28th and in Salt Lake City on average in April 16. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/spring snow-1713893137481.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on our warm temperatures and weekend snow potential.

Record Warmth to Weekend Snow in the Four Corners

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Kevin Schneider

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It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s noisemakers are set to return in a big way this year as not one, but two sets of periodical cicadas will emerge in the Midwest and Southeast. It is the first time these two specific broods have surfaced together 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.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5jJPrP5rfE" start="0"></iframe></div>The southern brood emerges every 13 years and is known as the Brood XIX, 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!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Closer look at Illinois locations overlap.mp4_snapshot_00.01.232-1713196589008.jpg"><blockquote>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.”</blockquote>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.<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.<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.

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

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Areas in the Southwest might see severe weather for today. We have a marginal risk of severe weather throughout Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. This means these areas could see isolated thunderstorms throughout the day. The storms could produce damaging winds, hail, and even a tornado.

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Storms will start up in the early afternoon and continue into the late night hours. These storms could produce heavy rainfall.

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With an abundant amount of rain falling in such a short period of time, flash flooding could be a concern. Multiple flash flood watches have been put into effect throughout Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Wyoming for today.

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For WeatherNation -Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/shelly-lindblade/">Shelly Lindblade</a>