WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>A TORNADO WATCH has been issued for parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee until 12 AM CT for several tornadoes (a few could be strong), damaging winds up to 75 mph and hail up to 1.5-2" thick.</p><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/">Storm Prediction Center</a> has issued a MODERATE (level 4 out of 5) risk across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Tornadoes continue to be a concern, particularly for the region in red.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc today-1679690761358.JPG">In addition to the risk of numerous tornadoes, several strong tornadoes are possible (brown region below) that may be long-lived, or on the ground for an extended period. EF-2-strength tornadoes have winds higher than 110 mph.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig tor-1679690786795.jpg">Damaging winds could also be widespread across the region, including the chance for hurricane-force gusts (blue region below). Secure loose belongings and tie down property that could be damaged or could become a projectile. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rsw_sig wind-1679695350245.JPG">In addition to the significant wind and tornado threat, the SPC has highlighted the risk for significant hail, 2" in diameter or greater, which can cause serious damage through southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana, and Mississippi.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rsc_sig hail-1679695333595.JPG">The stronger storms are expected to continue strengthening and organize from now through the overnight hours as the cold front becomes the main trigger for severe storms across the Ozarks and Deep South. Please have multiple ways to get alerts before you go to sleep.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rsc_hrrr-1679695491217.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Check back with WeatherNation for the latest.</p>

Significant Severe Storm Risk Targets the Deep South Friday

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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>This weekend will feature cool, windy, and unsettled wet conditions for the Northeast as an area of low pressure in our upper atmosphere combines with a surface front &amp; low to produce widespread showers and storms. </p><p>A few severe storms are possible in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia on Saturday (ABOVE). These areas are closest to the center of the low, where there is increased lift and energy to produce strong storms. Gusty winds and hail will be the biggest threat with these storms, in addition to locally heavy rain.</p><p>Showers and storms move in overnight along the warm front, but that is not what produces the severe weather. The occluded front (purple) and area of low pressure provide the biggest risk for damaging winds with storms that develop midday and early afternoon through western PA, WV, and OH. As the front pushes into the northeast by midday Saturday, it meets colder air will produce snow for the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine along with the Adirondacks. Steady snow will continue through these areas on the back side of the low-pressure system Saturday before tapering down early Sunday morning.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-24 13-10-19 - Copy-1679685861458.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Most areas will see less than 1" in rainfall, and snowfall totals will be generally light, less than 3". Still, areas of difficult travel and low visibility are anticipated. Winter weather alerts are in effect for northern Maine and New Hampshire ahead of ice and snow.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/ne alerts-1679692466658.jpg"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rne snow-1679700728301.JPG">Looking deeper into the forecast, there is another round of winter precipitation for next Tuesday and Wednesday. There is still a bit of uncertainty in the forecast, especially when it comes to temperature profiles, which determines if we get wet, heavy snow or sleet and freezing rain. Typically the last snow of the season in the Northeast is in early April. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the northeast winter forecast!</p>

Severe Storms and Snow in the Northeast this Weekend

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<p>CALIFORNIA - We have had an e! there is no sign of things slowing down in the near future. Snowpack continues to rise in the Sierra, and is inching closer to the snowiest year in history of 1952-53. We are about 10 feet shy of the snow totals of that winter. Additionally, these systems have been creating isolated strong thunderstorms and very heavy rain. </p><h2>Freezing Conditions</h2><p>We are looking at a quieter weekend ahead, but much cooler too. In fact, temperatures will drop into the 20s and 30s for the central Valley the next few nights, prompting frost and freeze alerts. The cold air could be harmful for plants that are already into the growing season.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-24 RSW CA frz-1679703330736.JPG"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3 day lows-1679678101770.jpg"></p><h2>Next Wave Monday - Wednesday</h2><p>Looking ahead to next week, another round of wet weather is on the way. Another Pacific low moves onshore, bringing more moisture to waterlogged California. There is confidence in meaningful snow for the Sierra, which will help creep up closer to the snowiest season on record. The incoming storm is focused farther north, impacting the northern Sierra and Cascades with the heaviest of the snowfall. Winter storm watches are in effect for the Sierra from Monday night into Wednesday with heavy snow anticipated over 3000 feet.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/cali alerts-1679691242581.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-24 RSW snow accum-1679703663295.JPG"></p><p>The extended pattern into the beginning of April remains active in the western U.S. with above average rain and snow conditions expected. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the snow amounts and timing for the Western U.S., the Western regional forecast is at :50 past the hour!</p>

Snowpack in California Creeping Closer to Top Spot - More Snow next Week

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<p>Another low-pressure system moving through the central U.S. will encounter cold air in our atmosphere and become a snowmaker for the Upper Great Lakes this weekend. Once again we will be watching for difficult travel, low visibility, and wet heavy snow that could cause isolated power outages. Winter alerts are in effect on Saturday for northern Michigan and eastern Wisconsin where there is increased confidence in the snow potential.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rnc_great lakes alerts-1679697350125.JPG">This low-pressure system is relatively warm with the severe weather and storm threat just to the south in central IL, IN and OH Friday night. This means we will see a wet, heavy snowfall and the risk of ice and sleet during the first part of the overnight before cold air meets the moisture and transfers more of the precipitation into snow. Snow will wrap around the area of low pressure through the day on Saturday, keeping Michigan and eastern Wisconsin unsettled, windy and cold.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rnc_12z-1679697364008.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Our forecast models still disagree slightly with who sees the heaviest snow potential. The Global Forecast Model, or GFS for short, favors the snow axis from southern Wisconsin through Milwaukee and into northern Michigan. The Baron model shows the same axis of snow, but with the heaviest snowfall favoring areas south of Milwaukee. The exact axis of heaviest snowfall depends on the track of the low and where the low intensifies most, therefore leading to the higher snowfall pockets.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-24 RNC GL accum-1679704158828.JPG"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the snow forecast for the upper Great Lakes this weekend.</p>

Winter Storm System to Hit the Upper Great Lakes this Weekend

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<p>A ridge of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico is building warmth and moisture into the Southeast - a far cry from the freezing temps we saw earlier this week. We will see moisture and warm temps combo for the risk of severe weather by Saturday and stormy weather continuing into Sunday. Records broke on Friday for cities like Baton Rouge and Greenwood.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24_rse_heat-1679697498647.JPG"></p><h2>Heat</h2><p>Records did occur on Thursday across the South with highs in the 80s and 90s. Everywhere there is a pink dot is an opportunity to tie or break records through the weekend and into early next week. Most of the records will be in Florida, but a few of our coastal cities will get a crack at well above-average temperatures this week too. Highs will soar into the 80s with even some low 90s, potentially setting records each day this weekend. The heat will fuel strong storms though, and we have the risk of severe weather through the south this weekend.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/se dots-1679604609498.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3 day highs-1679691128321.jpg"></p><h2>Severe Weather</h2><p>Severe storms hold off until Saturday when the severe weather threat stretches from the Florida Gulf Coast into the Southeast, to include Montgomery, Columbus and Macon. All modes of severe weather are possible but we will be watching closely for damaging winds and waterspouts. Flooding will also be a threat. We will see widespread showers and fog during the morning hours but it is in the afternoon and evening when individual supercell storms develop through Alabama and Georgia that we will have to watch for the tornadic potential.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc saturday-1679686991060.jpg"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-24 08-11-42-1679667304874.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Another front on Sunday across the Gulf Coast will touch off more showers and storms on Sunday through the Deep South. The timing for Sunday looks to be a bit later in the day, with storms developing in the afternoon and evening, continuing overnight. There is a bit more uncertainty in the forecast for Sunday, but plan on a stormy weekend in the South.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc sunday-1679667475270.jpg"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the temperature swings and severe concerns, streaming 24/7!</p>

Record Heat to Finish Out the Week in the Southeast Before Weekend Turns Stormy

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<p>Heavy rain brought on by torrential downpours and severe weather has create widespread flooding issues through the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys and iwll continue into the nex few days. Sadly, the flooding has turned deadly in central Mississippi where a car was swept off the roadway and into a creek overnight Thursday into Friday, killing two. Please, turn around, don't drown, especially at night when the water and roadways are hard to see. Flood watches are in effect into Saturday from Oklahoma through Pennsylvania. Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches can be expected with locally higher amounts of up to 4 to 5 inches possible. Soaking rain is expected to extend from Oklahoma through the mid-south and into the midwestern states of Ohio, Indiana, and even through Pennsylvania. Storms had already produced rain totals of 1-3" Thursday into Friday across parts of the region, including Illinois, Indiana and Oklahoma. Storms are expected to continue along a frontal boundary with heavy soaking rainfall. Storms will "train" over the same areas, meaning repeated rounds of rain over the same areas, overwhelming the soils.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/rain reports-1679676536621.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/flood alerts-1679691390226.jpg"></p><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/#page=ero">Weather Prediction Center</a> has issued an excessive rainfall outlook for much of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys Friday due to the incoming heavy rainfall. A <strong>moderate</strong> risk (level 3 out of 4) for heavy rainfall has been issued. This means flooding is likely in the area as streams, creeks and low-lying areas fill up with water. Driving conditions can change quickly, so make sure to be weather aware and always turn around if you come across a flooded roadway.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/0324FriSatRainJPG-1679660245895.jpeg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24 WPC Fri-1679660276540.JPG">If you feel like it has been a rainy year through the central and southern Plains, it certainly has been in Little Rock - the city is now at its 3rd rainiest in history. Tune in to Weather Nation throughout the hour for all your top weather headlines.</p>

Flooding Turns Fatal in Missouri

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<p>With the jet stream focused over the Midwest, the weather looks active through the end of the week with severe storms and flooding. This comes after hail and damaging winds on Thursday through Missouri and Illinois. Today, the threat is centered around the mid-South will all modes of severe weather possible. Storms are likely to be more widespread Friday compared to Thursday, please have multiple ways to get alerts. The ENHANCED risk on Friday is centered through Tennessee and the central Mississippi Valley. For more on the Friday severe weather threat in the south, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/significant-severe-storm-risk-targets-the-deep-south-friday"><strong><em>click here</em></strong></a>.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/enhanced north-1679665761172.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/tor today-1679665771229.jpg">As the surface low and cold front moves across the region, an intense line of storms could form and move through late Friday with all modes of severe weather possible. Even if a storm does not reach severe criteria, heavy rain will still be a factor along with damaging winds.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-24 07-47-18-1679665797754.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>With multiple rounds of heavy rain expected, there is growing concern for flash flooding toward the end of the week, especially Friday. As soils become more saturated, expect flash flooding to become likely around the Ohio River by late Friday. The Baron forecast model (below) already depicts a widespread 1-4 inches of rainfall with isolated higher totals. This additional rain, combined with already saturated soils, is what's prompting the elevated flood threat.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/0324FriSatRainJPG-1679660245895.jpeg"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the Severe and Rain forecast streaming 24/7.</p>

Strong Storms & Flooding Target the Midwest

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Strong Santa Ana Winds are moving into parts of Southern California for today. High Wind Alerts are in effect until later this afternoon as winds gusts are expected in some areas near 75 mph.

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Santa Ana Winds are dry and warm and lead to high fire danger. Santa Ana Winds this strong are likely to yield power poles to buckle which could lead to fires sparking as power lines come loose.

As a result,  Southern California Edison is looking at the unprecedented step of shutting off power for today.

In recent years, power equipment has been blamed for setting off wildfires that spread quickly among the same type of dry, windy conditions expected today and overnight Monday. The company is facing lawsuits over allegations its equipment was involved in starting the massive Thomas Fire which went down as the largest in the state's history nearly one year ago this December.

According to recent reports, SoCal Edison has launched a new program called "Public Safety Power Shutoff" that allows the power company to proactively turn off power in areas where the winds could be strongest. Today could be the first time this new program is put into action.

The company has sent out alerts notifying customers in 41 cities in Southern California spread throughout four counties - Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and San Bernardino - that power could possibly be turned off on Monday as Santa Ana Winds become very strong threatening power lines.

The company urges residents to understand that this potential power shut off is only temporary and to preemptively avoid any fires that could spark.

Meteorologist Merry Matthews