<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a></span></p>

Rob Bradley

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<p>A TORNADO WATCH has been issued for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma until 7 PM CT this evening. </p><p>A strong low pressure system will continue to push east Friday across the Deep South with abundant energy for strong and severe storms. Near record warmth, plentiful moisture, and high wind shear will lead to numerous if not widespread severe storms during the afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center has increased the risk to MODERATE (level 4 out of 5) Friday afternoon into the overnight across the borders of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Numerous tornadoes and widespread damaging winds are possible in this area. Tornadoes will be a concern, particularly for the region in red. In addition to the risk for 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/tor threat-1679676276461.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig tor-1679676281932.jpg">Damaging winds could also be widespread across the region, including the chance for hurricane force gusts (region below). Secure loose belongings and tie down property that could be damaged or could become a projectile. 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/sig wind-1679676270321.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig hail-1679665090121.jpg">The stronger storms are expected from the early afternoon through the overnight as the cold front becomes the main trigger for severe storms across the Ozarks and Deep South. Storms become much more widespread into the afternoon with all modes of severe weather likely and dangerous. Please have multiple ways to get alerts. Storms that initialize in east Texas will become the focus for long-track supercell thunderstorms in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas and Mississippi tonight.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-24 10-43-13-1679676375251.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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<p>In addition to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storm-chances-return-to-the-plains-south-late-week">severe storms</a>, heavy rain is expected from the Ozarks through the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/strong-storms-flooding-target-the-midwest">Ohio Valley</a>. Bands of heavy rain are possible along a frontal boundary that will combine with plentiful moisture. 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.</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-1679676544963.jpg"></p><p>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><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-24 06-18-15-1679660326931.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><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/2023/03/03-24 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.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/little rock-1679579671136.JPG">Tune in to Weather Nation throughout the hour for all your top weather headlines.</p>

Widespread Flood Threat in the Ohio & Mississippi River Valleys

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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>Another low pressure system moving through the central U.S. will encounter cold air in our atmosphere and become a snow maker 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/winter alerts GL-1679665330459.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 on Friday. 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 and cold.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-24 07-36-12-1679665245968.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The Global Forecast Model, or GFS for short, favors the snow axis from southern Wisconsin through Milwaukee and into northern Michigan with the heaviest pockets of snow through Cadillac, Traverse City and Alpena. The Baron model is coming in line with the same axis of snow, but is less with the amount of snow and skews a bit further to the west with the heaviest snowfall, favoring more of Madison, WI and Quad Cities of Iowa for the heaviest snow. 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/gfs-1679665355464.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/BAMS -1679665344424.jpg">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>CALIFORNIA - We have had an extremely winter season, and now that we are into Spring, there is no sign of things slowing down in the near future. Snowpack continues to rise in the Sierra, and inching closer to the snowiest year in history of 1952-53. We are about 10 feet shy of the snow totals of that winter. The winter systems have been creating snow, but also strong thunderstorms. A tornado touched down in the Los Angeles suburbs on Wednesday afternoon as another atmospheric river and low-pressure system came to a close. This was in Montebello California, an eastern suburb of the city of L.A.. The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles rated this storm as an EF-1! This was the strongest tornado in California since 1983!</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 overnight, 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/cali frost and freeze-1679678089591.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3 day lows-1679678101770.jpg"></p><h2>Next Wave</h2><p>Looking ahead to next week we have another round of wet weather on the way for California. Yet another area of low pressure moves ashore bringing Pacific moisture to waterlogged California. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has highlighted the threat for heavy rainfall along the coast and snowfall in the mountains for Monday into Tuesday. There is confidence in yet another meaningful snow event for the Sierra, which will creep up closer to the snowiest season on record. The incoming storm looks to be skewed a bit further north, impacting the northern Sierra and Cascades with the heaviest of the snowfall.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/cali extendced-1679606634539.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/gfs snow-1679583829476.JPG">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>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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<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. </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. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1679628159931.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/se dots-1679604609498.JPG">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 on Friday. Be prepared for some rain showers along the Gulf Coast to finish out the week. Temperatures on Friday could be upwards of 10-15 degrees above average!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/se 3 day-1679604616308.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/saturday severe-1679667205188.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>A strong upper-level low-pressure system moving east from California is triggering strong storms in the southern Plains, Deep South and Midwest this week. Storms look most intense late tonight in Texas and Oklahoma and through the day Friday as they track across the lower Mississippi Valley with significant hail, tornadoes, and damaging straight-line winds. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH (above) is in effect for the Red River Valley and much of central and eastern Oklahoma into southern Missouri as storms develop around the area of low pressure tonight.</p><p>Related Articles - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/significant-severe-storm-risk-targets-the-deep-south-friday"><strong><em>Friday's Severe Weather Risk</em></strong></a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/strong-storms-flooding-target-the-midwest-now-through-friday"><strong><em>Severe Threat for the Midwest</em></strong></a></p><p>The risk today stretches from the Rio Grande River to Indiana, with a higher risk from Tulsa through Del Rio. The most widespread hazard is large hail, possibly over 2 inches in diameter in some locations. Areas that could see hail that poses a significant risk to property (lime size and above) are highlighted in purple below.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-23 RSC sig hail-1679627654120.JPG"></p><p>A low-end but nonzero tornado threat will accompany the risk of hail and damaging winds in the green shaded region below.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-23 RSC tor-1679627682094.JPG"></p><p>Storms continue around the area of low pressure and overnight in Oklahoma and Missouri. Storms initiate along the new cold front in Texas with large hail. Due to the overnight nature of these storms, it is important to have multiple ways to get alerts before you go to bed!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23 18-36-28-1679618269779.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.</p>

Large Hail, Damaging Winds Possible in the Plains Tonight

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Strong storms led to damage throughout the Chicago, Illinois metropolitan area on Sunday afternoon. This was part of a line of severe thunderstorms that also brought strong winds to parts of Wisconsin and Indiana.

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Winds were clocked as high as 74 miles-per-hour (MPH) in northern Illinois, leading to at least 81,000 customers without power, as of mid-afternoon Sunday. Several 60-plus MPH gusts were recorded in the Chicago area on Sunday, including a 63 MPH gust at the Rockford, Illinois airport.

Those storms led to some impressive visuals, including a so-called gustnado - a downburst of strong winds that produces a brief swirling effect.

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The storms were part of what's known as a Mesoscale Convective System, or an MCS for short. This is a group of thunderstorms that moves together, often producing damaging winds and occasional tornadoes. These are fairly typical during the late spring and summer.

More storms are possible in the Chicago area over the next few days, but they shouldn't be quite as strong as Sunday's bout of severe weather.

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For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Chris Bianchi