Caitlin Connell

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

Kevin Schneider

April Brought 300 Tornadoes, Second-Most On Record

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Another week, another threat for significant severe weather for parts of the Plains. Large hail, damaging winds, and a few strong tornadoes will all be possible kicking off the workweek. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has enough confidence that they've upgraded areas between Wichita and Oklahoma City into a Moderate Risk (Level 4 out of 5).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/upper setup monday-1714906648335.jpg">An upper-level low will open up as it crosses the Rocky Mountains, keeping winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere out of the southwest. Rich Gulf of Mexico moisture will get carried north, helping feed thunderstorms by the afternoon.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/sig tor monday-1714906657906.jpg">The threat for violent, long-track tornadoes will exist for areas marked in red. Massive hail will be possible yet again, with some locations of the southern Plains picking up 4" diameter hailstones in the past week - the size of SOFTBALLS!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-05 04-48-13-1714906681435.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Timing will be in the afternoon and could last into the overnight hours of Tuesday morning. Know what your severe weather plan is and where your day will take you Monday and into Tuesday.

Severe Weather Outbreak Likely Monday

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The what seems like never-ending severe weather threat is ongoing in the Lone Star State, despite seeing strong storms on Saturday. Reports of a few touchdowns of tornadoes came out of places like Kermit and Fort Stockton, TX on Saturday.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1786866266076041461" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1786866266076041461"></div>The hail that some of these severe storms brought was nothing to mess around with. Kermit and Randalls Corner had to deal with softball-sized hail throughout the afternoon and evening. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-05 045825-1714906764420.png"> The severe weather threat continues into Sunday for central Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and to Mississippi. The primary threats right now are large hailstones and strong wind gusts, but an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot 2024-05-05 050119-1714906892492.png">As any part of our Sunday brings a storm risk, there's a heightened risk as we head towards the second half of the day. Southeastern Texas doesn't need any more rain but more is on the way to further enhance the ongoing flooding threat. Related articles: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/flood-threat-continues-in-the-plains">Texas: More Rain in Flooded Areas </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/monday-severe-weather-threat-hits-the-plains-again">Multi-Day Severe Outbreak Possible Monday - Wednesday</a><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-05 04-34-59-1714906998819.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms on Sunday

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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, turn around, don't drown. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1786848270972489808" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1786848270972489808"></div>More heavy rain and flooding are expected to close out the weekend in southeast Texas. A moderate risk (level 3 out of 4) is issued for Houston and Lufkin. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/ero-1714904339788.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).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/mod flood-1714904806947.png">The heavy rain threat increases in the first half of the day on Sunday, as storms from the overnight move into southeast Texas and the already flooded roads, rivers, and creeks. The stalling cold front could produce another round of afternoon and evening heavy rain and storms, increasing flooding concerns.Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornado-hits-west-texas-more-possible-today">Tornado Hits West Texas, More Storms this Weekend</a><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-05 04-34-59-1714905334406.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>If you live in southeast Texas, be very careful and seek higher ground if a flash flood warning is issued, or if the 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 with flooding earlier this week. Never drive through flooded roads!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/forecast precip-1714905407597.png">

Flooding Lingers in the Lone Star State

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Saturday thunderstorms produced some reports of quarter-size hail in parts of Missouri and Illinois. Another round of severe weather will be possible on Sunday as the front moves in to warmer and more humid air by the afternoon. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/moisture and front sunday-1714914092490.png">While a few hailstones can't be ruled out, the lack of instability should keep them from reaching severe criteria. Storms will return on Monday, but severe weather, at this point, is not expected.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714842596092.png">The biggest risk will be damaging winds across the Ohio Valley between 2 and 6 pm. Keep an eye out for storms if you have any outdoor plans to finish off the weekend! <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Future radar OH Valley-1714914030603.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Stormy Sunday in the Ohio Valley

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Similar areas that have been at risk since the end of April will experience another bout of severe weather from Monday through Wednesday. The Storm Prediction Center [SPC] has issued the severe weather outlooks for Tuesday and Wednesday, indicating confidence in the environment to produce severe storms. All severe weather threats are possible during this stretch: damaging wind, large hail, and a few tornadoes.On Tuesday the severe weather threat stretches from Arkansas through the Midwest including Chicago, St. Louis and Little Rock (below).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/tuesday outlook-1714907233626.jpg">On Wednesday the threat shifts a bit further south, impacting southern Missouri, Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, and northeast Texas. All modes of severe weather are on the table.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Wednesday outlook-1714907339794.jpg">This is thanks to another wave of energy from the Pacific moving east throughout the weekend, providing enough lift to support storm development. At the surface we have moisture streaming north contributing to instability ahead of a surface cold front.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-01 10-51-01-1714583042845.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The central and southern Plains are a bullseye for severe weather in May. The moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and cooler air from Canada clash over Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, elevating the severe threat. We know this is another day of severe weather on the horizon, but please don't let severe weather fatigue get the best of you.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/2 days out-1714907383246.jpg">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest information on the severe weather threat ahead in early May.

Severe Threat Lingers into the Middle of the Week

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Kara has always been passionate about weather and knew from an early age that she wanted to become a meteorologist. Living in different regions of the country and experiencing weather events ranging from ice storms to tornadoes drove her to pursue a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout college, storm chasing became a regular event for Kara, where she saw first-hand the power of the atmosphere. Kara graduated cum laude from OU and decided to further her meteorology education with a Master's degree from Mississippi State University. The deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak struck while Kara was studying at MSU; her first “Dixie Alley” tornado event and an up close glimpse into the destruction of the storms she so closely studied. Her broadcast career began in Elvis’ birthplace, Tupelo, Mississippi, where she earned her Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. Kara's career has included coverage of all types of severe weather including tornado events, flooding and tropical systems across multiple southern states. Recently she helped cover the 2020 Easter Sunday deadly tornado outbreak in southeast Mississippi. In her free time, you can find Kara outdoors exploring new areas with her mini poodle,Truffles. Kara is also an avid runner and frequently races in 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. Say hi to Kara on <a href="https://twitter.com/wxkara">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/karajameswx">Facebook</a>!

Kara James

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It may be May, but a cold-origin upper low is keeping snow in the forecast for many Western mountain communities this week!Snow started falling earlier along with coastal rain as an upper low moved onshore from the Pacific. The cold air combined with lift and moisture leads to the additional rain and mountain snow through Sunday. The Cascades and Sierra Nevada look to get the heaviest snow totals, with snow ending in the Sierra Sunday afternoon. Steady snow continues for the Cascades and northern Rockies Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as additional upper level waves reinforce the active pattern. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/Baron 2-1714873696899.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>There are some locations which may receive 8-16 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714862890693.png">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!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/est avg snowfall-1714510694011.jpg">Meanwhile, the lower elevations may accumulate up to two or three inches of rainfall! Isolated areas of flooding are possible especially along the Northwest coast, but widespread flooding is not expected.As this weather system moves across the West, it will whip up a lot of wind! The wind gusts may reach up to 55-65 miles per hour across many states, and especially higher elevations where gusts could top 80 mph. Secure your property before the wind hits! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/05/1-1714862985681.png">Since this is a cold low, temperatures will remain on the cooler side the next few days while it meanders around. Most temperatures for the West will be around 10 degrees cooler than average. For most in the Pacific Northwest, that means highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s, with chilly mornings in the upper 30s to around 40. Brr!Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the western forecast this week, or get your Western regional forecast at 50 past every hour!

First Weekend in May Brings Snow to West Coast

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It was a wild week of weather. From blizzards, to earthquakes, to tornadoes, to debris flows. Watch our top 5 video picks of the week for November 25 through December 1.

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