WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Relief is on the way for the northwestern U.S. with a diving trough, bringing cool and wet conditions. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has an enhanced risk issued for Thursday across the High Plains of Montana, into the Dakotas. All threats will be possible including destructive winds and a few isolated tornadoes!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726162135402.png">As moisture moves into the region, rainfall could prompt flash flood warnings. Through Thursday, there will be a marginal to slight risk for flooding across portions of Montana and Idaho.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726159133711.png">Higher elevations could even see some snowfall, which is not out of the normal for September.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 061519-1726143336227.png">Winter weather advisories have been issued across Idaho and Montana through Friday. Wet snowfall totals of 3"- 6" is likely above 6500 feet with isolated totals up to 6-10".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 061545-1726143361539.png">With the help of our upper-level trough, cooler air aloft will help to bring in unsettled weather at the surface. This in addition to the mountainous topography and surface frontal boundary will allow for thunderstorms to intensify through Thursday evening, while cool air behind the front will drop temperatures in the higher elevations to produce snowfall.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Baron 2-1726159269211.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With this system passing through, there will be much cooler temperatures for the end of the week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 062113-1726143682442.png">The west is still dealing with ongoing fire and smoke. More can be found here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/wildfires-erupt-out-west-this-weekend">Wildfires Erupt Out West</a>.Your Western Regional Forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Jesse Kelley

A Change in Pattern for the Northwest

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Karissa is the Director of On-Air Operations at WeatherNation. Karissa grew up loving math and science, but really fell in love with Meteorology while attending the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After two summers of storm chasing in the central plains, she knew that it was the career path for her. Standing in front of a thunderstorm and feeling the cool outflow knock her over was an experience she will never forget. After two years at COD, she transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver. Karissa graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology. Her high school and college speech and meteorology professors were extremely supportive and pushed her to succeed. Before joining the WeatherNation team, she previously worked as the Morning Meteorologist at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa and at WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL. She recently was part of a National Edward R. Murrow award winning team for breaking news for their coverage of the EF-4 tornado in Washington, Illinois. In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking and trying new foods. She is a self proclaimed 'TV Junkie' who can get into just about any show. She is a die hard Chicago sports fan who loves attending professional sporting events.

Karissa Klos

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Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph and a central pressure down of 972 mb. The specific landfall location was in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, which is just 30 miles south of Morgan City. This system will continue to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the south and southeast into the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/landfall-1726156432884.png">Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tropical-system-expected-to-develop-this-week">Francine Moves North</a>What started as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six in the Gulf of Mexico, a developing area of low pressure only took a few days to strengthen to a hurricane and impact the U.S. coast. Francine was upgraded from a Tropical Storm to a category one hurricane Tuesday. After working through shear and dry air, Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that Francine was able to organize and drop its central pressure. Francine was upgraded to a category 2 with winds of 100 mph, just off of the Louisiana coast. It maintained that strength through landfall Wednesday afternoon.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834207834676117699" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1834207834676117699"></div>Our field correspondents were on the ground as at least nine inches of rain inundated Metairie, Louisiana late Wednesday evening. Close to a foot of rainfall fell in the greater New Orleans/southeast Louisiana area. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/rain-1726152051077.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/rain map-1726152051076.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834044924896878605" src="https://x.com/willnunley/status/1834044924896878605"></div>The National Hurricane Center issued this update with wind reports as Francine was making landfall:<blockquote><pre><code>Francine has made landfall in southern Louisiana in the Parish of 
Terrebonne, about 30 miles south-southwest of Morgan City, as a 
Category 2 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 
near 100 mph (155 km/h).

A NOS station located on Eugene Island recently reported a peak gust 
of 105 mph (169 km/h). The minimum pressure measured at that 
location was 976 mb (28.82 inches).</code></pre></blockquote><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Winds-1726152051078.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1834035476111786354" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1834035476111786354"></div>Hundreds of thousands of customers in southeast Louisiana were still without power as of Thursday morning. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/power outage 8am-1726152051075.png">President Biden approved an Emergency Declaration for the state knowing that extra resources would be needed in the wake of storm damage. According to FEMA:<blockquote>"The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.</blockquote><blockquote>Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75% federal funding for the parishes of Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Cameron, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge&nbsp;and West Feliciana.</blockquote><blockquote>Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding for the parishes of Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll and Winn."</blockquote><h1>TIPS FOR RETURNING AND LIVING AT HOME IN THE AFTERMATH</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/post-1726152051070.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/generator-1726152051073.png">

Hundreds of Thousands Without Power After Francine

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Francine made landfall in southern Louisiana as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph and a central pressure down of 972 mb. This system will continue to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the central U.S. into the weekend. RELATED ARTICLE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/cat-2-hurricane-francine-slams-gulf-coast">Francine's Gulf Coast Impacts</a>The central low pressure of Francine will continue moving north just to the east of the Mississippi River Thursday. Southerly winds pulling on shore from the Gulf of Mexico will enhance the severe weather threat for the Florida panhandle, Alabama and western Georgia. The primary threat will be spin-up tornadoes. Tropical tornadoes can happen quickly, with little warning. If a Tornado Watch is issued for your area, be sure to have a safety plan ready to go when a warning is issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 064834-1726145326950.png">As Francine's forward progress and intensity relax, a few lingering tornadoes will be possible Friday in the same region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 091139-1726153918982.png"> As the center of Francine's core lifts north, heavy rain and strong thunderstorms will stretch from the Mississippi Valley to the east coast.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Baron 2-1726159394392.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Widespread areas of 3-6 inches are expected with localized totals up to 10 inches. Northern Mississippi, West Tennessee, and northern Alabama are expected to see the widespread heavy rain, while it will be more scattered or isolated through Georgia and Florida.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 064548-1726145155909.png">With the addition of saturated soils from recent rainy weather, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) expects flooding to continue overnight through the end of the week; overnight a MODERATE risk for flash flooding remains (level 3 out of 4).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 064607-1726145215667.png">Because of this increased flood threat, Flood Watches have been issued across the southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 091343-1726154072642.png">There are other areas to monitor, in the Atlantic AND the Pacific Basins. Read more about those here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/atlantic-basin-becoming-active-again">Tropics Heating Up</a>

Francine Moves North with Heavy Rain and Tornadoes

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Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

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FLORIDA - the "Sunshine State" has been experiencing heavy rainfall in recent days, with more inland showers and storms to come over the next couple of afternoons. Some spots in northern Florida may even see the outer bands of Francine today and tomorrow.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Baron 2-1726159569051.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals for the remainder of the week for Florida could reach an additional 2-4"+ in some spots. The Weather Prediction Center has issued marginal and slight risks for Florida and parts of Georgia through Friday!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1726159721870.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-12 07-18-19-1726147133643.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Tune into WeatherNation for the latest details.

"Sunshine State" Staying Soggy

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Brittany Lockley

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Global temperatures continue to soar, with August 2024 marking the hottest in 175 years of recorded history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.&nbsp;August 2024 has also been the 15th month of record warm months.&nbsp;This milestone follows the Northern Hemisphere’s warmest meteorological summer on record.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/globalaug24map-1726159056965.png">(Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)Data released by NOAA highlights that August saw global temperatures exceed previous records by a significant margin. The average global land and ocean surface temperature in August was 2.29 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 60.1 degrees F.&nbsp;&nbsp;The month was not only the hottest August on record, but also stands out for the persistent heat across all continents and oceans.&nbsp;<h4>Unprecedented Heat in the Northern Hemisphere&nbsp;</h4>The Northern Hemisphere has significantly&nbsp;felt the worst part of these extreme impacts. Summer 2024, which includes June, July, and August, has surpassed the previous temperature record. This makes it the warmest season experienced since record keeping. The months combined were 2.74 degrees F above average. This record-breaking heatwave brought significant impacts, from wildfires burning over 6 million acres in North America. Europe has experienced prolonged droughts in regions across Asia and Africa. Asia had its second warmest August, while Africa and North America had their third warmest August.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/AugustClimRepGlobal1-1726158026239.png">(Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)<h4>The Impacts&nbsp;</h4>Beyond the immediate discomfort of the heat, the steadily rising trend of rising global temperatures does have a lasting impact. Ecosystems are stressed, sea ice&nbsp;continues to melt at faster rates, which leads to&nbsp;sea level rising, which ultimately threatens coastal communities. According to NOAA, Sea ice across the globe was the second smallest in the 46- year record, at 8.32 million square miles (about the area of North America), and Artic Sea ice was below average, with the fourth lowest on record.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/sea ice aug 24 new-1726159081665.png">(Image credit: NOAA/NCEI)When it comes to the increased temperatures and the tropics, August was average with 15 named storms, with Debby and Ernesto forming in the month of August.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 103010-1726158622913.png">Specifically, in the U.S., Phoenix, Arizona, shattered its own record with over 30 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 110°F. The soaring heat, combined with a lack of rainfall, has also triggered widespread wildfires, which are ongoing in the west. &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 102147-1726158126523.png">The summer of 2024 has left its mark in the records.&nbsp;

Earth Experiences Hottest August in 175-Year record

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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!

Alana Cameron

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Statistically, we are now past the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which happened on September 10th. However, based on accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), we still have about half of the tropical activity we see in a season left. And right on cue, the tropics are acting up. There are now six areas of concern in the Atlantic, one hurricane (Francine), and one tropical depression (Seven).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-11 124841-1726080533189.jpg">The most pressing threat to land at this time is Hurricane Francine, expected to make landfall tonight, read more about it here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tropical-system-expected-to-develop-this-week">Francine Forms in the Gulf of Mexico</a>Tropical Depression Seven formed over the eastern Atlantic earlier Wednesday. As of now, it is expected to remain over the Atlantic for several days and strengthen into a tropical storm.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 064128-1726144898823.png">If the forecast verifies, strengthening to a tropical storm, this storm would be named "Gordon". Thankfully, the cone of uncertainty does not have this bringing any impact to land or the United States.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 064203-1726144930771.png">There are also three other areas of interest in the Atlantic Basic, 92L and 94L in the central Atlantic, and a tropical wave off the coast of the southeastern U.S. which models have been monitoring closely. There is still some uncertainty along the southeast, but heavy rain is possible this weekend if you live along the Carolinas Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 064233-1726144969943.png">Back out east of the Caribbean, there are two areas of investigation that the National Hurricane Center is monitoring. Invest 92L and Invest 94L. Models have Invest 92L weakening but keep 94L tracking west just to the north of the Caribbean.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/2024-09-12 06-45-12-1726145152526.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>In the Eastern Pacific basin, Tropical Depression Nine-E formed early Thursday and is expected to become Tropical Storm Ileana as it moves north toward Cabo San Lucas and the Baja California Peninsula. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 093751-1726156876037.png">Nine-E is expected to gain some strength, but stay below hurricane status as it moves north, gradually weakening in the Gulf of California early next week. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 093829-1726156889226.png">Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for portions of the Baja Peninsula for strong winds. Rainfall from TD 9E could be heavy, with remnant moisture potentially pulled north into the Four Corners early next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-12 100137-1726156910480.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest forecast on the tropics in the coming days.

Rob Bradley

Monitoring Multiple Areas of Interest in the Tropics

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ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The Airport Fire in southern California has burned over 23,000 acres as of Wednesday night, prompting mandatory evacuations along the Ortega Highway according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The video above is a timelapse of the fire burning in Santiago Peak, a fire watchtower, observed earlier this Tuesday afternoon. Live conditions of this fire can be found here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cameras.alertcalifornia.org/?pos=33.6786_-117.5444_12">UC San Diego Alert California.</a><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1833994177300017646" src="https://x.com/OCFireAuthority/status/1833994177300017646"></div>Hot and dry weather has been a theme of the summer for many out West. Widespread fire weather alerts remain in place for the western U.S. and now pushing into the Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-11 193031-1726104646600.jpg">The Bridge Fire exploded on Tuesday across the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Glendora, CA. Numerous evacuations have been ordered across the communities of Pinion Hills, Wrightwood, along with much of the Mt. Baldy area. The Line Fire has prompted evacuations in San Bernardino County as flames have burned over 36k acres. Containment has increased to 18%.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-11 192920-1726104660890.jpg">The Airport Fire burning in Orange County has grown quickly. Evacuation orders remain in place and the cause is still under investigation.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1833664252139155533" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1833664252139155533"></div>Near Reno, the Davis Fire has brought smoky skies to the Lake Tahoe area, with zero containment so far. The fire has grown to over 5,500 acres.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1833291765086097643" src="https://x.com/RenoFirefighter/status/1833291765086097643"></div>For more details on the cooldown, catch your West Regional Forecast at :50 past every hour!

Airport Fire in California Prompts Evacuations

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SOUTHWEST - Numerous records broke this weekend in California and Arizona after a dangerous heat left millions under heat alerts. On Monday, new records broke in California. Here are some locations that tied previous records for September 9th.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-09 210554-1725937597028.jpg">Excessive Heat Alerts remain in effect until tonight in California and Arizona for the continued dangerous heat. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-10 124813-1725994127762.jpg">By tomorrow, temperatures return to seasonable for many of us. Los Angeles finally drops back into the 80s and San Diego in the 70s, so long heat wave!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-09 210745-1725937685381.jpg">More on your Western Regional Forecast can always be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Jackie Brown

Record Heat Coming to a Close in California

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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.

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RECORD COLD - Another crisp morning for portions of the east. This morning, Salisbury, MD, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina broke records for the coldest mornings!OVERNIGHTIt was a busy day for portions of Western New York as we saw multiple severe warned storms. Things are much calmer with the loss of daytime heating as we now see a general thunderstorm risk overnight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/overnight fffff-1725937012301.png">A few storms remain overnight as a trough of low pressure lingers, but the severe threat will be minimal.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/overnight fss-1725937218512.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>After record mornings and cool days for some, temps will be near average to above average. Burlington will see 67° on Tuesday, but by Thursday warm up to 80°. Nashville will see impacts from Francine's remnants this week, including rain and cooler temps. By Thursday, Nashville will see temps drop from the low 90s to the upper 70s. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/tuestattt-1725937290617.png">For the latest update on this portion of the country, tune into the East Regional Forecast, at 10 past every hour.

Windy Storms Replace Chilly Start in the Northeast

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Summer of 1993, New England Dragway. That's when and where Steve knew he wanted to become a meteorologist. More than 20 years later he is extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to live his childhood dream. As a lover of math and science, Steve had a consistent interest in weather in elementary, middle, and high school before discovering you can major in meteorology. He attended Lyndon State College in Vermont where he received a bachelor's in meteorology-broadcasting and associate's in television news. He has worked as a meteorologist and reporter in Winchester, VA, Burlington, VT, and most recently in West Palm Beach, FL. He's recognized by the American Meteorological Society with the Certification of Broadcast Meteorologists.

Steven Glazier

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Our weather seasons are broken up a little bit differently than the astronomical seasons. In astronomy, we look to Sunday, September 22, 2024 as the official start of fall. The Autumnal Equinox will happen around 8 a.m. ET that Sunday, when the sun's rays move directly over the Equator. It's a moment in time when Earth gets equal day and night, 12 hours of each.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-31 121559-1725128816380.png">The first day of Meteorological Fall was September 1, and continues through November 30 when Meteorological Fall ends. Our weather seasons are split into even three-month periods for easier record keeping.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-02 203921-1725331171022.jpg">So, welcome to Fall! The weather outlook from the Climate Prediction Center shows much of the Lower 48 having higher chances of remaining warmer-than-average during September, October, and November.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-02 204030-1725331248812.jpg">This does not mean it won't get chilly or cool. Short-term cold weather patterns will still be possible. But when the three-month period is summed up, it will likely be warmer-than-average.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-02 204038-1725331302461.jpg">The outlook for September, October, and November calls for drier-than-average weather for parts of the Desert Southwest, Four Corners, Southern/Central Plains, and lower Pacific Coast. The Northwest coast and East Coasts will be wetter-than-average.

It's Meteorological Fall! Here's the Outlook

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Pumpkin spice lattes are back at coffee shops, and the Halloween décor has popped into retail locations, which means fall is on the horizon. As the summer season wraps up meteorologically on August 31st and astronomically on September 22nd, Mother Nature heralds in the tell-tale signs that Autumn has arrived with the changing colors of the leaves.&nbsp;&nbsp;But forecasting the changing leaves is a difficult task with variables that can sometimes be difficult to track. &nbsp;Weather plays an important role in the timing of when leaves will change, and while some locations have seasonal averages for peak foliage, nature has the final say on when the brilliant colors will arrive.&nbsp;WHY LEAVES CHANGE COLOR:&nbsp;The change in season sparks the transformation within deciduous trees. Deciduous trees typically have large, broad leaves and use flowers to reproduce; think your oak and maple types. These trees get the deciduous classification from the Latin word “dēciduus” which means “to fall” because of their tendency to drop their leaves once they reach maturity. &nbsp;Coniferous trees are your evergreen trees. These trees tend to have needles or scales and reproduce using cones. Coniferous trees typically hold their needles year-round as they help with water conservation for the tree to continue producing food for itself during the long winter and summer months.&nbsp;Because of the deciduous tree's leaf shape, they are the ones that transform into brilliant plumes of color as the days get shorter. &nbsp;So, what’s sparking the change?&nbsp;According to the Smithsonian, in fall, the days start getting shorter, meaning less sunlight, and in turn, cooler temperatures. This signals the trees to end their food making process. The chlorophyll within the leaves that helps conduct photosynthesis begins to fade allowing other chemicals within the leaves to shine. &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-28 135520-1724874946511.png">WHAT DO FORECASTS LOOK FOR:&nbsp;“The ideal weather we’re looking for is sunny, warm afternoons, and clear, cold nights,” said Evan Fisher, the founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ExploreFall.com">ExploreFall.com</a>. Too much drought or rain can vastly impact the colors produced by the trees. &nbsp;&nbsp;Heat can induce stress on the trees and allow them to show color early. Fisher said maples are susceptible to stress, such as a warm summer, like many along the Eastern Seaboard have seen in the 2024 summer season. &nbsp;“The hardest part of predicting fall color is accounting for the extremes.” Fisher elaborated. “[Drought] that can do crazy things to the fall color. If you have a little bit of drought it may delay the color. If you have a lot of drought, it may accelerate it. But we don’t really know exactly where that line is exactly in between. And sometimes the same goes for really moist conditions.” &nbsp;Another important factor for forecasting foliage is the amount of daylight too. “I like to say that daylight opens the door for fall colors. Once the days get short enough and the temperatures are cool enough, we start to see the colors progress,” Fisher said.&nbsp;You can learn more about forecasting fall colors below:&nbsp;<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GyZbO8Rh3Ug" start="0"></iframe></div>WHY ARE THEY DIFFERENT COLORS: &nbsp;The color each tree presents depends on what’s present in the leaves. According to the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, xanthophyll and carotenes are already present in leaves as the green chlorophyll fades away. These pigments give leaves yellow and orange coloring, similar to how they color other plants such as carrots.&nbsp;Other chemical reactions can happen at the same time as the fading green color which produces anthocyanin pigments, which give leaves a reddish and purplish color. The Forestry Services of Scotland says if temperatures stay above freezing, more of these anthocyanin pigments are produced. If autumn remains sunny and dry, even more trees will begin to produce pigments to give even more red color. The process is slow though, which is why you sometimes see trees with a mix of greens, yellows, and reds all at once.&nbsp;WHY DO LEAVES DROP:&nbsp;In the spring, trees create little tubules between the leaves and the branches to transport nutrients back and forth between the leaves. As the fall creeps in, the tree begins producing a hormone that builds up a waxy layer between the leaf and the branch that reduces nutrient transportation. Eventually the leaf will be weak enough to be carried away by the wind, rain, or snow, said Michael Davidson on his Molecular Expressions website via Florida State University. &nbsp;By dropping their leaves, deciduous trees will spend less energy through the winter and converse moisture throughout their systems. The dropping of their leaves also prevents external stress that can occur when heavy snow weighs down a tree’s branches. &nbsp;

Getting You Ready for Fall Foliage 2024

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A fresh couple of inches of snow fell across the high terrain of the Colorado Rockies late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning from September 4-5, 2024. It resulted in outstanding pictures of the Rockies, now white with snow above 10,000 feet!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/copper pic 2 09-05-24-1725575707640.png">Copper Mountain, about an hour and a half west of Denver, had a dusting of snow at the top of its ski lifts early Thursday. Nearby Arapahoe Basin was excited to see the snow, given the ski area is usually the first to open in the country each year.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/HERE! IM FUSSY-1725575795086.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Video credit Lucas Herbert of Arapahoe Basin Ski area and pictures credit Copper Mountain.It's not unusual to get snow this time of the year in the high terrain. While the low elevations, such as Denver, drop into the 50's at night, the high country drops to the 30's and 20's during the overnights. A cold front moving through Colorado brought enough moisture to provide this light snow above 10,000 feet.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/1-1725591460700.png">Heavy snowfall rates were reported at Berthoud Pass, CO (about 12,000 feet) late Wednesday. The total snowfall was not heavy, but the rate was briefly intense. The average first snowfall occurs in September in the Rocky Mountain region of the West.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-05 164020-1725576027495.png"> September can provide some light snow accumulation atop New England at Mount Washington and the nearby White Mountains. As we get into October, the first snow becomes more likely in some of the lower elevations farther north.No additional snow is expected in Colorado in the near-term, but this gets some of us excited for the upcoming ski and snowboard season!

Dave Holder

First Mountain Snow of the Season Blankets Colorado's Rockies

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Kevin Schneider

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An active pattern is set to return to parts of the northwest over the next few days. High pressure will bring the heat, but an incoming trough will kick up rain chances AND fire concerns. Fire and rain? How is that possible? <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/West Red Flag-1725375696960.png">DRY THUNDERSTORMS! Some of these high-based storms that develop bring rain to the area, however, the rain doesn't always make it to the surface if there is a dry airmass at the surface. So, the storm can bring the lightning and wind but not the rain, which causes the fire concern. If the surface fuels are dry, and lightning strikes the wind can spread that blaze very quickly.Air quality alerts are also in place for the region from fires currently across the Northwest. This means particulate matter may cause issues for sensitive groups. These groups which include, those with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should limit prolonged exertion. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Fire and Smoke -1725376027015.png">As our next system moves onshore, some more rain chances will accompany it. For many, this is beneficial rainfall where some could pick up a much-needed inch of rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/BAMS rainfall amounts-1725193865947.png">However, with some thunderstorms possible, new wildfires could ignite because of the lightning. Areas we're more concerned about are those that pick up little to no meaningful rainfall but the same lightning.<h2>WINDS</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Winds-1725376867900.png"><h2>BRIEF COOLDOWN</h2>Best news in all of this? Temperatures will take a brief hiatus from the triple digits. The tail end of this week looks warmer than average, which could be a theme for the first half of September...<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/CPC outlook-1725193887396.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation as the temperatures start to climb once again out west.

Tracey Anthony

Fire Concerns Return Out West

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Taban Sharifi grew up in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. She is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) with the American Meteorological Society (AMS). She has a B.S. in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Go Bruins! While in school, Taban was a meteorology intern with NBC LA. There she helped forecast daily weather for the greater Los Angeles region and created a playbook to deploy weather sensors for NBC owned-and-operated stations across the country. Her first on-air job took her to San Angelo, Texas, where she was a morning meteorologist and co-anchor. Working in West Texas gave her knowledge and experience covering severe storms. From there, she moved to Palm Springs, California. People think forecasting in California is sunshine all the time, but with temperatures in the 120’s, wildfires, damaging winds, floodings, and earthquakes, the forecasting kept her very busy! She also worked there as a general assignment reporter and told community stories. Taban is excited for the challenge and opportunity to forecast nationally with WeatherNation. She also looks forward to exploring all that Colorado has to offer!

Taban Sharifi

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Strong storms continue to move along a cold front from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast this Labor Day weekend. The primary threat with these developing thunderstorms will be the potential for strong damaging winds. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/coldddd-1725228910403.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Some of the rain could be heavy in spots on Sunday across the Mid-Atlantic. Following the front, Labor Day is looking better with lots of sunshine and drier air moving in. However, there will still be isolated instances of flooding as the front lingers for portions of the Carolinas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Excessive rainfall outlook-1725210536446.png">Behind the front, cooler air will pull in. Temperatures will feel more like fall!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-01 060803-1725192508403.png">Expect some areas to even drop below average!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot 2024-09-01 060843-1725192530465.png">For more on your full eastern regional forecast, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour.

Labor Day Weekend Storms Push East

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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>

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It sounds like a broken record, but this week more high temperature records fell across the South and the Ohio Valley. Chattanooga broke a high temperature record that stood for over 30 years on Friday by reaching a high of 100° F!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-30 171327-1725059616412.png">Heat advisories have been issued in Washington state, Idaho, and Oregon through Sunday due to heat indices upwards of 100-105° F.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-31 121026-1725127832659.png">Thankfully, a cold front will drop temperatures and humidity for many areas heading through Labor Day weekend, and the first week of September! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-31 121043-1725127851010.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-31 202835-1725157744933.png">Here's the good news, the CPC Temperature Outlook gives much of the Central and East a chance to stay below average through week of September. However, temperatures out west are almost certain to stay well above average.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/1-1725160094564.png">Remember to stay hydrated and try to limit time spent outside in the extreme heat, if at all possible.

More Record Highs in Jeopardy This Week

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Strong storms have been battering the Plains and Upper-Midwest this week, as a cold front taps into warm and humid conditions. Rainfall in Wisconsin and Minnesota (where the weather system is coming from) have reached as high as four to six inches!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-30 164423-1725057870416.png">A trailing low pressure system will bring a threat for severe storms to the Upper-Midwest Saturday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds are the primary threat, so be sure to secure loose outdoor objects!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-31 120852-1725127742805.png">Storms are anticipated in the afternoon and evening primarily, as the cold front moves across Lake Superior. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Baron 2-1725074623053.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Additional heavy rain is not expected to pose a flood threat, but temperatures will certainly cool down behind the front!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot 2024-08-31 074418-1725127899394.png"> Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on this developing situation and gear up for this multi-day severe weather threat.

A Change in Pattern for the Northwest

A Change in Pattern for the Northwest

Hundreds of Thousands Without Power After Francine

Hundreds of Thousands Without Power After Fra

Francine Moves North with Heavy Rain and Tornadoes

Francine Moves North with Heavy Rain and Torn

"Sunshine State" Staying Soggy

"Sunshine State" Staying Soggy

Earth Experiences Hottest August in 175-Year record

Earth Experiences Hottest August in 175-Year

Monitoring Multiple Areas of Interest in the Tropics

Monitoring Multiple Areas of Interest in the

Airport Fire in California Prompts Evacuations

Airport Fire in California Prompts Evacuation

Record Heat Coming to a Close in California

Record Heat Coming to a Close in California

Windy Storms Replace Chilly Start in the Northeast

Windy Storms Replace Chilly Start in the Nort

It's Meteorological Fall! Here's the Outlook

It's Meteorological Fall! Here's the Outlook

Getting You Ready for Fall Foliage 2024

Getting You Ready for Fall Foliage 2024

First Mountain Snow of the Season Blankets Colorado's Rockies

First Mountain Snow of the Season Blankets Co

Fire Concerns Return Out West

Fire Concerns Return Out West

Labor Day Weekend Storms Push East

Labor Day Weekend Storms Push East

More Record Highs in Jeopardy This Week

More Record Highs in Jeopardy This Week

Severe Storm Threat Continues in the Midwest

Severe Storm Threat Continues in the Midwest