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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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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.Related Articles - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/significant-severe-storm-risk-targets-the-deep-south-friday">Friday's Severe Weather Risk</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/strong-storms-flooding-target-the-midwest-now-through-friday">Severe Threat for the Midwest</a>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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-23 RSC sig hail-1679627654120.JPG">A low-end but nonzero tornado threat will accompany the risk of hail and damaging winds in the green shaded region below.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-23 RSC tor-1679627682094.JPG">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!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23 18-36-28-1679618269779.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Large Hail, Damaging Winds Possible in the Plains Tonight

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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>

Rob Bradley

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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 (ABOVE). 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/tor-1679605089158.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig tor-1679605079299.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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig wind-1679605127088.JPG">Storms will likely be ongoing early in the morning in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma around the low and warm front. The stronger storms are expected from the early afternoon through the overnight as the cold front becomes the main trigger for severe storms. Storms become much more widespread into the afternoon with all modes of severe weather likely and dangerous, numerous storms along the Mississippi Valley.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23 06-14-15-1679573688326.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Check back with WeatherNation for the latest.

Significant Severe Storm Risk Targets the Deep South Friday

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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>. A band of heavy rain is possible along a frontal boundary that will combine with plentiful moisture. Flood watches have been issued through Saturday from Oklahoma through West Virginia. 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-23 RSC FFA-1679627758021.JPG">Storms had already produced rain totals of 1-3" Thursday across parts of the region, including Illinois, Indiana and Oklahoma.Storms are expected to build along a frontal boundary to bring in storms and heavy soaking rainfall. Storms will "train" over the same areas, meaning repeated rounds of rain over teh same areas, overwhelming the soils.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23 18-32-57-1679618016246.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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 overnight and Friday due to the incoming heavy rainfall. A moderate risk (level 3 out of 4) for heavy rainfall was issued overnight and Friday. 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/wpc moderate today-1679579897838.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/wpc mod friday-1679579680538.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.<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.

Widespread Flood Threat in the Ohio & Mississippi River Valleys

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With the jet stream focused over the Midwest, the weather looks active through the end of the week with severe storm chances and flooding. A stronger low-pressure system moves across the region Thursday night into Friday, and more widespread hazardous weather appears likely. Today the severe weather threat is across Missouri and the Ohio River Valley with damaging winds and an isolate tornado our primary threat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-23 RNC SPC1-1679627983339.JPG">Related Articles - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storm-chances-return-to-the-plains-south-today">Severe Threat in the South Thursday</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/significant-severe-storm-risk-targets-the-deep-south-friday">Significant Severe Threat Friday</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/widespread-flood-threat-in-the-ohio-mississippi-river-valleys">Flash Flooding Concerns</a>Friday 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">click here</a>.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc friday-1679580303917.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc friday tor-1679580694273.JPG">Storms look active around and south of I-70 tonight, with large hail and damaging winds the most likely hazards. As the surface low and cold front moves across the region into Friday, 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.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23 14-35-21-1679604012180.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-22_rnc rne_3k 18z-1679533184433.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the Severe and Rain forecast streaming 24/7.

Strong Storms & Flooding Target the Midwest

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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 where there is increased confidence in the snow potential. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/mi alerts-1679605913634.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 day on Friday 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. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-23 14-44-17-1679605988449.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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 skews a bit further to the west with the heaviest snowfall, favoring more of Madison, WI, Green Bay and into the U.P. of Michigan. 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. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/gfs snow-1679605506758.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/baron model-1679605718201.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the snow forecast for the upper Great Lakes this weekend.

Winter Storm System to Hit the Upper Great Lakes this Weekend

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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 did occur on Thursday across the South with highs in the 80s and 90s. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1679628159931.jpg"><h2>Heat</h2>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 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!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/se dots-1679604609498.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/se 3 day-1679604616308.JPG"><h2>Severe Weather</h2>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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/spc saturday-1679604602508.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the temperature swings and severe concerns, streaming 24/7!

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

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CALIFORNIA - 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 and it caused 2 injuries. In addition to strong thunderstorms, we've seen heavy snowfall and heavy rainfall across the state of California. Additional heavy rain and snow is anticipated through Friday morning with an additional wave of energy pushing onshore today. This next wave will feature light snowfall accumulations, generally less than 6". Rainfall totals will be light as well, favoring the foothills and coastline with less than 0.5" of new rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/winter alerts-1679583138131.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/new snow-1679583147985.JPG">After the rain and snow on Friday we are looking at a quieter weekend ahead, but much cooler too. In fact, temperatures will drop into the 30s and 40s 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/frost freeze-1679583500975.JPG">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.<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">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!

Tornado Touches Down in Los Angeles area Wednesday Afternoon

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After burning for a total of 40 days, the Thomas Fire in southern California is now fully contained. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, commonly referred to as CAL FIRE, released the news via a Tweet on Friday morning.

https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE/status/951865362567520257

The Thomas Fire began on December 4, 2017 and by December 23 it had eclipsed all other wildfires in California history as the largest on record.

<img class="size-large wp-image-86170" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/Capture2-4-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" /> The Thomas Fire around Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in California became the state's largest wildfire on record in late December 2017.

The weather was very unfavorable for this fire, and others in the area too. Strong, down-sloping winds gusted between 60 and 80 miles per hour as a strong, high pressure stayed in control and kept the area unseasonably dry. Here are the final numbers regarding the fire.

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The recent heavy rain event in southern California helped put the final extinguish to this fire. However it also made the heavy rain flow down the hillsides even faster, in what forecasters warned of flooding over the burn scar areas. Gratitude is extended to the fire fighters and first responders who helped with both events, the wildfires and mudslide/flooding in California over the past couple of months. Below you'll find a slideshow of pictures from the Thomas Fire when it was very active.

[gallery ids="86172,86173,86174,86175,86176"]

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier