WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h2>Tuesday</h2>The severe storm threat Tuesday shifts into Iowa and the Midwest. We will see another ENHANCED risk (level 3 out of 5), but a dryline will also produce severe weather in the southern Plains. The severe weather threat in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois will be focused around the center of the low-pressure system with storms during the first half of the day, and as daytime heating increases, we will likely see our strongest storms of the day afternoon in Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-16 04-40-39-1713264099280.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A significant tornado threat stretches from Cedar Rapids, IA to Quincy, MO on Tuesday. This means we could see an EF-2 tornado or stronger spin-up. We also run the risk of large, damaging hail. There's a possibility of seeing over 2" in diameter, or larger, hailstones. 2" in diameter is about the size of a hen's egg.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/TOR AND HAIL-1713264149319.png"><h2>Wednesday</h2>The severe threat pushes eastward with a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) on Wednesday in the Midwest and Midsouth. A few non-severe thunderstorms will be ongoing early Wednesday morning but the cold front arrives Wednesday afternoon providing the lift necessary for storm development across the Ohio River Valley. The storm chance looks to hang around throughout much of the second half of the day, lingering into the evening hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-16 04-41-16-1713264110011.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Flood Threat</h2>The heaviest rain will fall in the Upper Midwest with this system, and isolated areas of flooding are possible both Monday and Tuesday. Although it might come in a little heavy at times, this is needed rainfall. Most of the Midwest has seen dry conditions, but the drought is much worse in eastern Iowa which will impact the agriculture season there.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/rainfall-1713187127950.jpg">Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/looking-ahead-thursdays-severe-threat">Looking Ahead: Thursday's Severe Threat</a>Stay with WeatherNation as we cover the latest severe weather threats across the U.S.

Caitlin Connell

Severe Weather Tuesday & Wednesday

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As we've already seen in the past few days, the atmosphere is primed for severe weather this month. Continuing our multi-day severe weather event, we have a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) issued in the Southern Plains and into the Midwest on Thursday. It reaches from Memphis, TN, through Little Rock, AR, and into Paris, TX.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/spc thu-1713265604198.png">Storms look to fire off along a cold front as it pushes to the east by the evening and overnight hours on Thursday. This event is still a few days away, so expect some changes in the forecast as we fine-tune some more of the details. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/forecast-1713268972908.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with WeatherNation for all of your severe weather needs.

Looking Ahead: Thursday's Severe Threat

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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Monday was a hot day across the northeast and middle Atlantic, where records broke on Monday afternoon (see above). Norfolk, VA hit 90° just barely beating out the previous record. Louisville had a new record of 87°, beating the old record by 1°. This heat helped to ramp up instability in the atmosphere, as we saw many strong to severe storms develop today along a stalled frontal boundary.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1779962902159425607" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1779962902159425607"></div>Monday afternoon storms dropped golf ball and ping pong ball-sized hail in places like Arcola, VA, and New Freedom, PA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-15 152751-1713216482932.png">Most of the severe storm reports from the Mid-Atlantic shows that it was mostly large hail and strong winds that accompanied the storms that rolled through primarily in the late morning and afternoon. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-15_lsrs-1713225183231.png">There was absolutely no shortage of hail as it rolled through Brambleton, VA. Videos like the one below were more of a common sight across the Mid-Atlantic than not.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1780053499952202187" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1780053499952202187"></div>

Record Highs and Hail in the Middle Atlantic Monday

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Another week, another powerhouse low is set to develop east of the Rocky Mountains. This one will also trigger severe weather chances in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/looking-ahead-severe-weather-tuesday-through-wednesday">Plains into the middle of the workweek</a>. Most of our red flag warnings ended Monday night, but a few additional alerts continue through Tuesday.On the backside of the area of low pressure, westerly winds between 20-40 mph are likely gusting at times to 70 mph. As a result, we have widespread high wind alerts in effect for the western Plains through the Front Range into Tuesday. Not only are these winds dangerous for fire danger, but they also can cause areas of blowing dust and dirt - be cautious while driving.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/WIND-1713270296886.jpg">We're not exaggerating the possibility of seeing over 60 mph wind gusts today. Monday proved that it is very likely we have another day of strong winds ahead of us. Anyone who has to drive high-profile vehicles today, pay attention to the wind alerts in your area and be prepared to make stops. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/WIND-1713270440473.jpg">Gusty winds will peak during the afternoon hours of Tuesday. Gusts can reach up to 70 mph with isolated stronger gusts possible.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/forecast-1713270681858.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>80% of wildfires are human-caused. Do everything you can to prevent a spark or a flame heading into Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Wildfire prevention-1713096778880.jpg">

Elevated Fire Danger Next Few Days

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Snow is in the forecast for the northern and Central Rockies through the middle of this week with accumulations close to a foot for the highest elevations of Colorado and Wyoming! As a result, winter alerts are in effect throughout the region to account for the incoming snowfall and high winds which will reduce visibility and could make for challenging travel on I-70 in Colorado, and I-15 in Montana.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-15_rnw_rockies-1713236428083.png">Temperatures drop rapidly from Tuesday into Wednesday for the northern Rockies - back down into the 30s and 40s after the 60s on Tuesday. For the intermountain west of Colorado and Utah, our coldest days will be Monday before temps briefly warm and plummet again.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/n rockies forecast-1713189992908.jpg">Snowfall comes in a couple waves with the first through Monday afternoon and evening, on the backside of our severe weather storm system. Snow fades by early Tuesday morning before another push of moisture comes in from Canada, moving into Montana on Tuesday and Wyoming on Wednesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/NW PHO-1713229722660.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>If you're thinking it's pretty late in the season to see snowfall, you may be surprised to learn that many cities in the northern Rockies see their average last snowfall in April and May, and we are right on track!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/avg last snow-1713189992904.jpg">

Kevin Schneider

Alana Cameron

Snow in Store for the Rockies

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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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The Storm Prediction Center has maintained an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) of severe storms through the overnight hours across Nebraska, Kansas, and southern South Dakota. A slight risk (level 2 out of 5) extends from South Dakota through Texas. Severe weather threats include several tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds. Storms continue into Tuesday and Wednesday as the area of low pressure responsible for the storms moves east.Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/looking-ahead-severe-weather-tuesday-through-wednesday">Looking Ahead: Severe Weather Tuesday Through Wednesday</a>Scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue developing overnight across the Great Plains. A dryline working through the western Plains will be responsible for overnight convection across these areas encouraging upscale growth through the overnight timeframe.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-15_ovn wide-1713236069384.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Highlighted below, there's a significant hail threat overnight from portions of southern South Dakota, reaching through Nebraska and into central Kansas. And there's a separate bullseye from the Red River Valley and through Abilene, TX. This means there's a possibility of seeing hailstones 2" in diameter or larger. A few isolated tornadoes can spin up with the first few isolated supercells, some of which have the potential to be EF-2 or greater for the areas in brown.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/04-15-overnight sig-1713236193126.png">Be prepared for another multi-day severe weather event and stay with WeatherNation for all your weather needs.

Overnight Storms Target the Great Plains

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It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s noisemakers are set to return in a big way this year as not one, but two sets of periodical cicadas will emerge in the Midwest and Southeast. It is the first time these two broods have surfaced together since 1803! <div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5jJPrP5rfE" start="0"></iframe></div>The southern brood emerges every 13 years and is known as the Brood XIX, the largest brood in the U.S.. The Northern Illinois brood has a period of 17 years, making these two broods overlap uncommon. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Closer look at Illinois locations overlap.mp4_snapshot_00.01.232-1713196589008.jpg"> <blockquote>Katie Dana, a researcher with the Illinois Natural History Survey who studies the cicadas says, “We have broods emerging across the U.S. almost every year, but we don’t often have broods emerging at the same time. Just like how birds have different songs, cicadas have different songs...we have over 3,000 different species of cicadas so we have so many different songs.”</blockquote>Periodical Cicadas are large, loud insects with bright red eyes. They live underground for years. Once the cicadas take to the skies, they will be in the air for about 3-4 weeks, mating before laying eggs and reburying themselves for another 13 or 17 years. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Slow zoom east coast brood locations.mp4_snapshot_00.06.391-1713196589005.jpg">Depending on where you live, the double brood emergence could start as soon as April but will happen whenever the ground temperatures reach 64°. According to Katie, “It’s those warm soils that push them out of the ground, but they’re also looking for some moisture. If you have really dry soil, it’s going to make it hard for them to dig out.” Given that we've had some of our warmest winters on record in the Midwest we are looking at the opportunity for earlier emergence of the broods. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Warmest Winter on Record.mp4_snapshot_00.05.538-1713196589007.jpg">If you’re less than thrilled about these beaty-eyed bugs, focus on the positives. They provide extra nutrition for birds and animals and spark a reset for oak trees allowing them to produce more acorns a few years after they emerge. If that’s not enough to get you through... the next time these two broods will be out at the same time won't be for another 221 years, which will give you plenty of time to learn to appreciate the cicada screams.

Lucy Bergemann

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

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WeatherNation is committed to keeping you informed with up to date information on tropical storm Gordon as it nears the coast. We checked in directly with the source of information, the National Hurricane Center early Tuesday to get the latest updates on air and online. Ken Graham, the director of the National Hurricane Center spoke with WeatherNation on the threats, impacts, and what people need to keep in mind as the storm draws closer.

Watch the full interview below, and be sure to check in often with <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/">WeatherNation</a> live throughout the day as Gordon makes landfall along the northern Gulf Coast.

https://youtu.be/p4eFf5cgX6I

WATCH: Full interview with NHC Director Ken Graham

Severe Weather Tuesday & Wednesday

TuesdayThe severe storm threat Tuesday shifts

Looking Ahead: Thursday's Severe Threat

As we've already seen in the past few days, t

Record Highs and Hail in the Middle Atlantic Monday

Monday was a hot day across the northeast and

Elevated Fire Danger Next Few Days

Another week, another powerhouse low is set t

Snow in Store for the Rockies

Snow is in the forecast for the northern and

Overnight Storms Target the Great Plains

The Storm Prediction Center has maintained an

Double Trouble: Cicadas Take to the Skies this Spring

It’s the soundtrack to the summer. Nature’s n