Caitlin Connell

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<p>The town of Barnsdall, OK took a direct hit from a confirmed tornado in the evening hours. Sights like this are truly heartbreaking, and unfortunately, daylight brought more images of destruction in Barnsdall, which is roughly 40 miles north of Tulsa.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787822187518292269" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1787822187518292269"></div><p>A tornado emergency was issued as the storm was moving through the town, which is the highest level of tornado warning that the National Weather Service can issue. The storm touched down in Barnsdall before moving NE and hitting the town of Bartlesville.  </p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787675654689104015" src="https://twitter.com/NWStornado/status/1787675654689104015"></div><p>Our field crews were some of the first on the scene in the town to help people escape from their collapsed homes. Sadly we are hearing of fatalities as a result of this storm.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787707820143419707" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1787707820143419707"></div><p>The Storm Prediction Center issued a <strong>HIGH</strong> risk for severe weather on Monday. The risk is the highest threat level the severe weather outlook goes up to (level 5 out of 5). The last time a storm threat of this magnitude was issued was on March 31, 2023. It covered much of the I-35 corridor including Oklahoma City and Guthrie. Later in the evening, it was expanded east to include the Tulsa metro.</p><p>Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/monday-severe-weather-threat-hits-the-plains-again"><strong><em><u>Severe Storms Push East through Thursday</u></em></strong></a></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot20240506161335png-1715033619658.png">Storms had incredible structure over the Plains on Monday night, fueled by large amounts of energy, spin in the atmosphere and ample moisture.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787650470951231545" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1787650470951231545"></div><p>The severe storm reports from Monday primarily came out of Kansas and Oklahoma. It lined up very well with where the high risk was issued between the two states. Most of the reports were from large to giant hailstones and strong, damaging winds showing up in the yellow and blue dots below. A few tornadoes touched down in the Plains, indicated by the reports in the red dots.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/svr high-1715094628616.jpg">Hailstones the size of SOFTBALLS fell in Moonlight, Kansas on Monday. We didn't stop there though, even Canton, OK, and Riley, KS had to deal with baseball-sized hail from some of the supercells that formed in the second half of the day.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/hail reports-1715094628614.jpg"> Please continue to stay weather-aware as the severe threat doesn't disappear, it pushes to the east.</p>

Lucy Bergemann

Massive Tornado Hits Oklahoma Monday Night

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<p>As storm energy and moisture from the Gulf pushes in from the Central U.S., the severe threat moves eastward. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued severe weather outlooks through Thursday, indicating confidence in the environment to produce severe storms. During this stretch, severe weather threats are possible: damaging wind, large hail, and a few tornadoes are likely.</p><p>Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornadoes-tore-through-the-plains-monday"><strong><em><u>Large Tornado Hits Oklahoma Town Monday Night</u></em></strong></a></p><h2>Tuesday</h2><p>The severe weather threat stretches from Arkansas through the Midwest and into parts of the East Coast - an <strong>ENHANCED </strong>risk (level 3 out of 5) includes Columbus, Fort Wayne, and Louisville. New storms develop later in the day as temperatures build, keeping the threat of strong storms around throughout the afternoon and evening hours. The afternoon storm cells first develop as individual storms meaning damaging hail and tornadoes are possible. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07 04-24-18-1715077481453.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>With the enhanced risk, there are significant storm threats: EF 2 or stronger tornadoes from Fort Wayne, IN, to Columbus, OH, and into Louisville, KY. Significant hail also poses a threat where 2"+ hail from the shores of Lake Erie through the southern Ohio River Valley.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot20240507040649png-1715076422015.png"></p><h2>Wednesday</h2><p>On Wednesday, our storm threat remains at an <strong>ENHANCED</strong> risk but covers a wider swath of the country. From the Midwest and toward the Central Gulf states, there is an elevated threat of tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. The "significate severe threat includes St. Louis, Nashville, Louisville, and Paducah for EF-2 or stronger tornadoes along with much of the Midwest, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and NE Texas for 2" hail - park your car under cover if you can!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/sig wed-1715090560723.jpg">The morning of Wednesday will be relatively calm and quiet, which can be deceiving because storms fire off in the afternoon and linger well into the evening. Unfortunately, we will see strong storms overnight, especially through West Virginia, east Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee. The primary threat overnight Wednesday into Thursday will be damaging winds and embedded tornadoes, so make sure you can get your weather alerts in a fashion that can wake you up.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07 07-57-13-1715090379250.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Thursday</h2><p>On Thursday our sagging cold front taps into rich, moist, and hot Gulf air helping to produce a few storms on Thursday afternoon and evening from the East Coast to East Texas. The Storm Prediction Center [SPC] has highlighted the region from with a SLIGHT risk as all modes of severe weather are possible, including tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. We will see storms start early, leftover from Wednesday along the SE Coast, and continue throughout the day before our front responsible for the severe weather pushes offshore. Meanwhile, showers and storms start Thursday afternoon and evening along I-10 in Texas and Louisiana as the cold front swings into the region continuing into Friday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07 07-57-57-1715090672963.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>We know this is another week of severe weather chances, but please don't let severe weather fatigue get the best of you. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on this topic.</p>

Severe Storms Push East through Thursday

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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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<p>The Southwest has been dry and windy the last few days with gusts at tropical storm and hurricane force over New Mexico on Monday! Raton pass clocked a wind gust of 59 mph with Tecolotito about 120 miles east of Albuquerque measuring a CAT1 hurricane strength wind gust! The strong winds in combination with dry conditions mean the fire threat continues across the Southwest into Wednesday and Thursday - please do not do any outdoor burning.   </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/fire alerts-1715097157321.jpg">Changes are on the way as an area of low pressure in our upper atmosphere breaks off from the normal flow and shifts southwest, away from the typical jet stream flow. This low will then sit and spin over the 4 Corners region through the weekend, bringing more gusty wind but a bit more moisture to the atmosphere too.  Even if you don't see showers we anticipate a bit more cloud cover through the end of the week and the start of the weekend, which should help to quell the worst of our fire danger.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07 09-46-38-1715097339421.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Showers and snow showers are possible through the weekend, especially in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. This is thanks to a "backdoor cold front" meaning it arrives from the east, rather than the typical west. It will also stir up strong winds along the Front Range of Colorado and New Mexico Thursday night into Friday. Pop-up storms will be the focus for the eastern Plains of Colorado, New Mexico and west Texas through Monday morning before our low-pressure system gets a kick to the east. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07 09-46-51-1715097400930.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Rough estimates show the heaviest of the snowfall in the Rockies of Colorado and the Sangre de Cristo range into northern New Mexico. Rainfall will be on the order of 1" in isolated pockets, not necessarily widespread as this "coarse" model data presents. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/4 corners rain-1715097157322.jpg"></p>

4 Corners: Windy with a Chance of Showers

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<p>It feels like summer with temperatures rising across the Gulf Coast this week thanks to a strong ridge of high pressure that is parked across the region. Temperatures will be warm enough to tie or break records through Friday, with Wednesday our warmest day ahead. Widespread 90s are expected with records as old as the 1980s at risk of falling. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/highs-1715027092249.jpg">The warmth impacts Texas and the central Gulf on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs warmest south of I-10, but even Little Rock climbs close to 90°. The humidity will make it feel even warmer for Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi. Temperatures cool by Thursday for north and central Texas as a cold front slides through. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/3 day temps sc-1715027092253.jpg">Our peak heat in the eastern Gulf will be Thursday but highs will be threatened on Wednesday and Friday too. Along the Atlantic coast on Friday nearly every major city has the potential to tie or break records. We're looking at widespread highs in the 80s and 90s, about 10° above average! </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/3 day temps se-1715027092252.jpg"></p>

Record Highs in Jeopardy Along the Gulf Coast

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>According to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, 26.4" of snowfall was observed on May 4th, making it the snowiest day of the 2023-24 winter season! In Lassen N.P over 30" of snow fell with a fresh 26" at Palisades Tahoe ski resort. The late-season snowfall was responsible for tough travel on I-80 on the Donner Pass over the weekend.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1787160675728679277" src="https://twitter.com/UCB_CSSL/status/1787160675728679277"></div><p>Additional snowfall will continue for the western United States over the next couple of days. Widespread <strong>winter weather alerts </strong>have been issued for the Rockies, Tetons, Wasatch, Uintas, 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.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/winter alerts-1715083844457.jpg">Colder air at the highest elevations will produce snowfall in the Rockies of Colorado and the ranges of Wyoming. As low-pressure regresses (moves back to the west), we see the snowfall rate will be much higher late Tuesday and to Wednesday morning. This push of energy keeps rain chances for Montana on Tuesday afternoon and evening.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast-1715083965991.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Some locations may receive 8-20 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. Heavy rain in Montana and Wyoming could top 3"+ through the middle of the week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/snow accumulation-1715084117930.jpg">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!</p><p><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 55-80 miles per hour across many states, and especially at higher elevations where gusts could top 80 mph. Secure your property before the wind hits!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/WIND-1715084177638.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the western forecast this week, or get your Western regional forecast at 50 past every hour!</p>

Late Season Snowfall Continues Out West

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<p>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.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/April Tor Comp-1714921143566.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-02-25 110543-1714921317847.jpg"></p><p>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"><em><u>Click here</u></em></a> for more info on Monday's likely outbreak.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-02-26 113946-1714921861310.jpg"></p><p>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.</p>

April Brought 300 Tornadoes, Second-Most On Record

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<p>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,<em> turn around, don't drown.</em></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1786848270972489808" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1786848270972489808"></div><p>More heavy rain and flooding are expected to close out the weekend in southeast Texas. A <strong>moderate risk </strong>(level 3 out of 4) is issued for Houston and Lufkin.</p><p><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).</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/mod flood-1714904806947.png"></p><p>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.</p><p>Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornado-hits-west-texas-more-possible-today"><em><u>Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms this Weekend</u></em></a></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/ggg-1714959438637.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>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!</p>

Alana Cameron

Flood Threat Winding Down for the Lone Star State

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The U.S. Forest Service is getting creative when it comes to wildfire mitigation. You might even say they came up with the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) idea!

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The Cleveland National Forest in southern California has taken on goats to manage potential fire risk. 1,200 hungry goats were brought in to eat away at hundreds of pounds of dried vegetation!

Dry grass and brush are key to generating wildfires. With exposure to open flames, dry vegetation catches fire more easily than healthy, water rich vegetation.

The Cleveland National Forest is where the <a href="https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6106/">Holy Fire</a> sparked up in early August, destroying at least 18 homes, and causing evacuations in the area. After having almost full containment on the burn, the fire reignited briefly on Tuesday, Aug 27, flaring up an additional 150 acres of wildfire. Local officials are working to contain the flames.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-96138 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/ezgif.com-video-to-gif-2.gif" alt="Using Goats in Wildfire Prevention" width="600" height="338" />