WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Another week, another threat for significant severe weather for parts of the Plains. Large hail, damaging winds, and a few strong tornadoes will all be possible kicking off the workweek. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has enough confidence that they've upgraded areas between Wichita and Oklahoma City into a Moderate Risk (Level 4 out of 5).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/upper setup monday-1714906648335.jpg">An upper-level low will open up as it crosses the Rocky Mountains, keeping winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere out of the southwest. Rich Gulf of Mexico moisture will get carried north, helping feed thunderstorms by the afternoon.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_sig tor-1714932801163.png">In addition to the threat of significant tornadoes (EF2 or stronger), the SPC has also issued a significant outlook for both hail and damaging winds. This means that hail over 2" in diameter is possible and winds stronger than 75 mph are likely too.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_sig-1714932892122.png">The threat of violent, long-track tornadoes will exist for areas marked in red. Massive hail will be possible again, with some locations of the southern Plains picking up 4" diameter hailstones in the past week - the size of SOFTBALLS!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast-1714929343408.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Timing will be in the afternoon and could last into the overnight hours of Tuesday morning. Know what your severe weather plan is and where your day will take you Monday and into Tuesday.

Alana Cameron

Severe Weather Outbreak Likely Monday

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

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According to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, 26.4" of snowfall was observed on the last day making May 4th the snowiest day of the season!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787160675728679277" src="https://twitter.com/UCB_CSSL/status/1787160675728679277"></div>Additional snowfall will continue for the western United States over the next couple of days. Widespread winter weather alerts have been issued for the Rockies, Tetons, Wasatch, Uinitas, and Cascades. We expect most of our snowfall to be in the higher elevations of the mountains but there have been some reports in lower elevations such as Salt Lake City.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rnw_winter wx alerts-1714939450684.png">Forecast models have steady moisture pushing through the western United States. Higher elevations will tend to get caught in the moisture and remain that way as we head into the beginning of the work week. Steady snow continues for the Cascades and northern Rockies today, Monday and Tuesday as additional upper level waves reinforce the active pattern.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rnw_12z-1714939588885.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>There are some locations that may receive 8-16 inches of snow across the highest mountain peaks! Snow levels will fall to 3,000-4,000 feet most commonly, but may fall as low as 2,500' elevation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rnw_fcst precip-1714939599793.png">If it feels like snow is falling late into the season, you may be surprised to know that the season's last snow for many West Coast communities lingers into May and for the highest elevations, even into June!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/est avg snowfall-1714510694011.jpg">As this weather system moves across the West, it will whip up a lot of wind! The wind gusts may reach up to 55-65 miles per hour across many states, and especially at higher elevations where gusts could top 80 mph. Secure your property before the wind hits!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rnw_wind alerts-1714939710257.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the western forecast this week, or get your Western regional forecast at 50 past every hour!

May 5th the Snowiest Day This Year in Soda Springs, CA

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Caitlin Connell

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After multiple spots in southeast Texas received one to two FEET of rain in just 24 hours in the last week, many instances of extreme flooding are ongoing. Roads are washed out, rivers and creeks are running high with water still standing over roads in some spots, and major flooding is expected to continue along rivers over the next few days. This video was taken about 20 miles north of Houston, in Humble, TX. Please remember, turn around, don't drown.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1786848270972489808" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1786848270972489808"></div>More heavy rain and flooding are expected to close out the weekend in southeast Texas. A moderate risk (level 3 out of 4) is issued for Houston and Lufkin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_through tonight wpc-1714938620711.png">This level 3 out of 4 on the flood risk scale indicates that numerous flash floods are likely, with some significant flash flooding possible. This area corresponds with the already-flooded part of the state with standing water and rivers still in a major flood stage (see top of page).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/mod flood-1714904806947.png">The heavy rainfall threat will continue across Texas due to the oversaturation of soils. Any additional amount of rainfall could lead to flooding fairly quickly.Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornado-hits-west-texas-more-possible-today">Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms this Weekend</a><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_hrrr-1714933110116.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>If you live in southeast Texas, be careful and seek higher ground if a flash flood warning is issued, especially if water starts rising. Rain totals by the end of the weekend will be anywhere from 1-3" overall, but pockets of 4-5" are possible where multiple rounds of storms come through. Flooding will be expected in areas of southeast Texas already hard-hit by flooding earlier this week. Never drive through flooded roads!

Flood Threat Continues for the Lone Star State

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Despite seeing strong storms on Saturday, what seems like a never-ending severe weather threat is ongoing in the Lone Star State. Reports of a few touchdowns of tornadoes came out of places like Kermit and Fort Stockton, TX Saturday.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1786866266076041461" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1786866266076041461"></div>The hail that some of these severe storms brought was nothing to mess around with. Kermit and Randalls Corner had to deal with softball-sized hail throughout Saturday afternoon and evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-05 045825-1714906764420.png">The severe weather threat continues today for central Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The primary threats are large hail and strong wind gusts, but an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/spc-1714929801690.jpg">There's a heightened risk for severe weather as we head towards the second half of the day. Southeastern Texas doesn't need any more rain but more is on the way to further enhance the ongoing flooding threat.Related articles: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/flood-threat-continues-in-the-plains">Texas: More Rain in Flooded Areas </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/monday-severe-weather-threat-hits-the-plains-again">Multi-Day Severe Outbreak Possible Monday - Wednesday</a><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast-1714929873568.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms Today

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The Storm Prediction Center has maintained a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms for the upper Ohio Valley including portions of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The main threats for this afternoon and evening will be the risk of isolated hail and damaging wind gusts. Storms are expected to weaken by the evening hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_ne today-1714933308231.png">Daytime heating will result in scattered thunderstorms across these areas as a frontal system moves through the rest of the day. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rne_sun-1714933474530.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This part of the country remains active as we head into Tuesday's forecast too. The Storm Prediction Center has portions of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia under a MARGINAL to SLIGHT (level 1 and 2 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rne_svr-1714933750310.png">A line of thunderstorms will move in from the Ozarks Tuesday morning and as we see daytime instability increases storms could get strong enough to support organized convection - including supercells. As some of these thunderstorms organize they could support bowing line segments too.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rne_tue-1714933756627.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Upper Ohio Valley Storms Today and Tuesday

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Kevin Schneider

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Similar areas that have been at risk since the end of April will experience another bout of severe weather from Monday through Wednesday. The Storm Prediction Center [SPC] has issued severe weather outlooks for Tuesday and Wednesday, indicating confidence in the environment to produce severe storms. All severe weather threats are possible during this stretch: damaging wind, large hail, and a few tornadoes.On Tuesday the severe weather threat stretches from Arkansas through the Midwest including Chicago, St. Louis, and Little Rock (below).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rne spc tue-1714938943876.png">Here's an early look at forecast models for Tuesday's storms. Some of Monday's overnight storm complexes will move east into the Mid-South and Midwest first thing Tuesday morning and then new storms are expected as we run into daytime heating across these areas.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05_rne tue spc-1714938977434.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>On Wednesday the threat shifts a bit further south, impacting southern Missouri, Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, and northeast Texas. All modes of severe weather are on the table.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/05-05 wed-1714939038741.png">This is thanks to another wave of energy from the Pacific moving east throughout the weekend, providing enough lift to support storm development. At the surface we have moisture streaming north contributing to instability ahead of a surface cold front.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-01 10-51-01-1714583042845.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The central and southern Plains are a bullseye for severe weather in May. The moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and cooler air from Canada clash over Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, elevating the severe threat. We know this is another day of severe weather on the horizon, but please don't let severe weather fatigue get the best of you.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2 days out-1714907383246.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on the severe weather threat ahead in early May.

Severe Threat Lingers into the Middle of the Week

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Preliminary data from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) suggests that April 2024 was the second-highest tornado count on record. This surpasses the average number of April tornadoes which stands at 182 touchdowns across the country for the month. The year 2011 holds the record of 757 tornadoes in April alone, and I am not the only one who is thankful we didn't see nearly that many.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/April Tor Comp-1714921143566.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>While many of these tornadic storms across the Great Plains may have been photogenic, they are responsible for excessive damage strewn across states like Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas.On average, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas see the most tornadoes in April. Last month hit Nebraska and Iowa hard, which is not the norm this time of year.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-02-25 110543-1714921317847.jpg">May is known to bring the most tornadoes we see each year. Considering how active April was, it will be interesting to see how the upcoming month turns out. Monday already has a moderate risk (level 4 out of 5) issued for parts of Oklahoma and Kansas. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-outbreak-likely-monday">Click here</a> for more info on Monday's likely outbreak.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-02-26 113946-1714921861310.jpg">Keep your eye on the sky and don't let severe weather fatigue get the best of you. We can't stress enough to continue to take weather alerts seriously and try your best to prepare ahead of time.

April Brought 300 Tornadoes, Second-Most On Record

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A punch of Arctic air will push across the northern tier of the nation the next few days. Temperatures will tumble to below average levels this weekend into early next week. The jet stream will dive southward from Canada, bringing the cold air.

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The mercury will plunge 10 to 20 degrees from today (Thursday) into Friday as a cold front drops southward through the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Readings will stay colder than normal through this weekend and into early next week.

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The cold air will reach the Northeast later this weekend. Temperatures will remain below normal through the middle of next week from the Northern Plains to New England

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Shot of Cold Air Across the North

Severe Weather Outbreak Likely Monday

Another week, another threat for significant

May 5th the Snowiest Day This Year in Soda Springs, CA

According to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra S

Flood Threat Continues for the Lone Star State

After multiple spots in southeast Texas recei

Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms Today

Despite seeing strong storms on Saturday, wha

Upper Ohio Valley Storms Today and Tuesday

The Storm Prediction Center has maintained a

Severe Threat Lingers into the Middle of the Week

Similar areas that have been at risk since th

April Brought 300 Tornadoes, Second-Most On Record

Preliminary data from the Storm Prediction Ce