Brittany Lockley

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Louisville is gearing up for the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday at Churchill Downs, but weather conditions leading up to the big race could put a damper on some of the festivities.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 050024-1746010833872.png">Unsettled Weather Ahead of the Derby&nbsp;A series of popular events, including Winsday on Wednesday, Thurby on Thursday, and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, are set to draw large crowds. However, showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through the area throughout the week, potentially impacting plans.&nbsp;<ul><li>Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible, especially in the afternoon.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Thursday and Friday: Rain chances remain elevated, with Friday’s Kentucky Oaks race particularly at risk for wet weather disruptions.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-30 04-58-34-1746010848859.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video></li></ul>Derby Day Outlook: A Break in the Clouds&nbsp;Fortunately, the forecast improves as we head into Saturday. While some lingering showers may still be around in the morning, forecasters expect any rain to clear out by midday. This should allow time for the Churchill Downs track to begin drying out ahead of the Derby’s scheduled post time at 6:57 p.m. ET.&nbsp;Still, after a soggy week, conditions underfoot are unlikely to be ideal. Do not expect the fast track surface seen in recent years—this year could see slower, wetter conditions like 2019, when a "sloppy" track followed light rainfall, or even 2018, which saw more than 3 inches of rain on race day.&nbsp;Cooler Temperatures in the Mix&nbsp;Behind the departing rain, cooler air will settle in. Saturday's highs are expected to stay in the 60s, a touch below average for early May but comfortable for racegoers dressed for the occasion.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 045947-1746010804748.png">Heading to Churchill Downs this week? Pack an umbrella and prepare for changing conditions. While Derby Day looks mostly dry, the lead-up could be a wet one. Keep up with the forecast down to the minute by downloading the WeatherNation TV app on your phone today.

Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby Week Events

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A frontal boundary stretched across the half of the U.S. will continue to bring episodes of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain as it stalls out. The Central U.S. will get the brunt of the severe weather on Wednesday &amp; Thursday, before shifting into the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes by Friday. &nbsp;A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma as storm continue to remain across the region Wednesday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 043340-1746009237991.png">While the most intense storms are expected to diminish across the south-central U.S. by the afternoon, the threat for damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes will remain in play.&nbsp;The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) for the metro of Dallas, TX.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 043436-1746009281759.png">Wednesday Morning, a significant threat for severe weather remains, as storms move through northern Texas and Oklahoma. These storms from overnight are also known as a mesoscale convective system (MCS). This system could bring damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes as it moves east across western Oklahoma.&nbsp;&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-30 04-35-01-1746009343128.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>By late morning through early afternoon the threat will shift into the Mississippi &amp; Ohio Valleys. Scattered thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind and hail will be possible. The afternoon heating and rich moisture will combine with weak but sufficient wind shear near a surging dryline, potentially allowing isolated supercells to develop in Central Texas. These storms may produce very large hail and strong wind gusts.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-30 04-36-07-1746009402972.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>By Thursday the storms will reach the Great Lakes and the Northeast. Scattered thunderstorms will reach as far north as New England. While the severe threat is expected to lessen compared to earlier in the week, some embedded strong storms may still occur, particularly in areas where instability persists. A Slight risk is issued for Friday (level 2 out of 5). The threats for Thursday include gusty winds, localized heavy rainfall, and a hail risk.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 043658-1746009428373.png">The combination of repeated rounds of thunderstorms, especially earlier in the week, has left soils saturated in portions of eastern Oklahoma, northeast Texas, and western Arkansas. Though the severe threat shifts east, residual flooding concerns may continue into Thursday in these areas before drying out.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 043843-1746009538378.png">For the latest information tune into WeatherNation.&nbsp;

Severe Weather Threat Shifts Eastward Across Central U.S. to Great Lakes

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Tracey Anthony

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The weather pattern remains favorable for heavy rain in the southern plains through Thursday. The area is still recovering from the heavy rain last weekend, meaning flash flooding could become a big concern, especially after widespread totals of 1-2" with the morning round of storms Tuesday, completely saturating the top layer of soil. Oklahoma City was under a Flash Flood Warning Tuesday AM with reports of creeks overflowing and basements flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD WATCH into Thursday morning across portions of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas.Models have begun to align on the location of where this stationary boundary stalls out mid-week. Heavy rain will likely be the result of strong/severe storms. To read more on the severe threat, check out: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Severe%20Threat%20Continues%20for%20the%20Southern%20Plains">Dryline Thunderstorms</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044531-1746009985200.png">A moderate risk means numerous flash flooding events with significant impacts are possible. Many streams may flood, potentially affecting larger rivers.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044553-1746009960315.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044641-1746010008579.png">So far, April has been extremely wet for the mid-Mississippi Valley, and cities such as Memphis are already at their 2nd wettest April on record, with more rain chances in the next two days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044727-1746010056133.png">For more details, be sure to join us on WeatherNation!

Level 3 Flood Threat Issued for the Southern Plains

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Chris Tomer

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A deep trough of low pressure is sliding through the Rockies and onto the Plains, bringing unsettled weather to the region. Widespread rain and high-elevation snow will continue through Thursday.<h1>How Much Accumulation?</h1>The highest peaks of Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado could see over 6 inches of accumulation by Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044943-1746010237489.png">Denver and the Front Range of Colorado has two shots of rain/snow coming. The first arrives Tuesday afternoon and the second Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning. Locations above 9,000ft could see several inches of snow accumulation. Expect rain across lower elevations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-30 044955-1746010244761.png"><h1>Timing</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-30 04-50-01-1746010261847.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Closing Dates</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/tomer ski closing dates-1745778957875.jpg">Enjoy the slopes while you can! Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Another Shot of Snow in the Western Mountains

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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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Severe storms dominated portions of the southern plains, Midwest, and northeast today, and a severe threat remains in place overnight from Burlington, Vermont, down through San Angelo, Texas.<h1>SOUTHERN END</h1>Strong updrafts provided the support needed in the atmosphere to grow large hailstones. We saw large hail today in Texas. Hailstones reached 5 inches in Guthrie, Texas. To put that into perspective, that is the size of a DVD!! In Girard, Texas hailstones reached 4 inches, the size of a softball. Both of these sizes can cause major damage!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/texas haillff-1745975175422.png">A significant severe threat remains overnight for portions of Texas and Oklahoma. Wind gusts of 75+ mph are possible, and the large hail threat will continue.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/overnighttttd-1745976180451.png"><h1>NORTHERN END</h1>An isolated tornado risk remains in place overnight for cities like Cleveland, Syracuse, and Buffalo. Storms and this threat will taper off through the overnight hours in the Northeast, but anything that lingers will have the potential to be strong to severe.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/overnight tor risk-1745976238745.png"><h1>TIMING</h1>Thunderstorms continue ahead and along this cold front, producing all threats of severe weather, including tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. While storms wind down tonight in the northeast, they will continue cranking in the southern Plains of Oklahoma overnight and into Wednesday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/eeeewww-1745976383462.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Alana Cameron

Severe Storms Possible Overnight

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Kevin Schneider

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Fire weather concerns have been all too common in the northeast this month. The Jones Road Fire has burned over 15,000 acres but the containment has crept up to 75%<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1916917497808167300" src="https://x.com/njdepforestfire/status/1916917497808167300"></div>The winds will kick up again this afternoon, so any additional grass fire that ignites could spread quickly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-29 124943-1745958299557.png">As dry as it is, we're only waiting on some wind to stir up fire concerns. Today, the winds will gust to 30 mph. Another soaking rain will go a long way in helping out. Rain that comes without severe chances would be niceRelated Article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-possible-from-new-york-to-texas-today">Severe Storms Threaten the Northeast Today</a>But wait! There's moreAll of that unsettled weather in the southern plains will pull into the northeast later this week, so keep the rain jacket close by!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-29 073918-1745934007429.png">Thursday and Friday look to be the wettest from the Ohio River Valley to the New England states. While the severe threat appears pretty limited at this time, with a MARGINAL risk for severe storms on Thursday, the flooding threat will move in too.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-29 073934-1745934078262.png">While it might ruin some plans outside toward the end of the week, the Kentucky Derby is looking dry this weekend!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-29 07-39-48-1745934151361.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

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A strong area of low pressure has emerged from the Rockies, which has prompted a MODERATE (level 4 out of 5) risk overnight. EF-2+ intensity tornadoes and 2-inch diameter hail (or larger) are possible.CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Our field correspondent Erik Fox was in the Sand Hills of Nebraska, where a storm cycled for hours on Sunday night, producing the spotting of a tornado.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1916681281515184498" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1916681281515184498"></div><h1>Overnight - Hazards and Timing</h1>The Storm Prediction Center has issued a MODERATE (level 4 out of 5) risk for severe storms in portions of the Upper Midwest and Upper Mississippi Valley. Multiple corridors of severe thunderstorms remain possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-28 212044-1745896851475.png">Strong winds and massive hail remain possible, but the tornado threat will also be quite high for portions of the Upper-Midwest, thanks to increased wind shear near the upper-level low. This includes the potential for significant tornadoes in the Upper-Midwest, meaning we could see violent tornadoes that last for a long duration. These tornadoes should be taken very seriously, as they'll have the potential to produce winds over 110 mph (EF-2 or greater).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-28 212227-1745896953253.png">Storms have developed and will continue into the overnight hours.. Multiple corridors of severe thunderstorms are expected.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/bust-1745897203666.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Tuesday - Hazards and Timing</h1>Scattered severe storms will continue to move east on Tuesday along the front, with severe storms possible from Vermont to Texas! There are two areas of an ENHANCED risk (level 3 out of 5) on Tuesday. Portions of the northeast, including Pittsburgh, PA and western New York, as well as west Texas and into Texoma.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745863825014.png">There is still a bit of uncertainty on the forecast for Tuesday morning, pending how overnight convection from Monday behaves. The most likely scenario will be storms continuing along the same boundary throughout the day, and as the atmosphere becomes more unstable during peak heating, thunderstorms will become more dangerous.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/tuesvr-1745897459682.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flooding</h1>Heavy rain will accompany storms, with isolated flash flooding possible. Before storms hit, review your severe weather preparedness, including knowing where to go in case of a tornado or flood.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-28 213111-1745897482161.png">

Dave Holder

Dangerous Storms Moving Across the Upper Midwest Overnight

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Severe thunderstorms moved through portions of the central and southern Plains Monday with reports of large hail and strong wind gusts. More severe storms are likely today, mainly across Texas. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined parts of the Lone Star State for a risk of severe thunderstorms.

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The tornado potential is low for today, with strong wind gusts higher than 60 mph and hail larger than an 1" in diameter being the main threats. If a tornado forms, the most likely area is west of Abilene where a few supercells are likely to form around peak heating when a cold front arrives.

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The cold front will push slowly to the south and east throughout the day, firing additional severe thunderstorms. Intensity will diminish overnight, although isolated severe storms may still occur in eastern and southern areas of Texas.

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The risk for severe thunderstorms slides to the south and east for Wednesday and Thursday. Areas from Texas to Alabama have the potential to see severe weather. Stay tuned to WeatherNation on-air and online for updated forecasts, live reports from storm chasers, and the latest watches and warnings.

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For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels

Severe Weather Potential in the Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley

Rainy Forecast Could Disrupt Kentucky Derby Week Events

Louisville is gearing up for the 151st Kentuc

Severe Weather Threat Shifts Eastward Across Central U.S. to Great Lakes

A frontal boundary stretched across the half

Level 3 Flood Threat Issued for the Southern Plains

The weather pattern remains favorable for hea

Another Shot of Snow in the Western Mountains

A deep trough of low pressure is sliding thro

Severe Storms Possible Overnight

Severe storms dominated portions of the south

Rain This Week Douses Fire Concerns Today

Fire weather concerns have been all too commo

Dangerous Storms Moving Across the Upper Midwest Overnight

A strong area of low pressure has emerged fro