Here are the color codes: Pink = winter storm warning, 4-8" of snow. Purple = winter weather advisory  Magenta = "Red Flag" (wildfire) forecast Sand = wind advisory  I am posting additional information on Twitter/X @usweatherexpert .

The yellow hatched area has an enhanced  risk of strong tornadoes. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes.  As of 11:05am, strong tornadoes had already developed in the St. Louis area. Those will move east and intensity this afternoon. Please keep up on the latest weather information.  I am posting additional information on Twitter/X  @usweatherexpert .

The Pending Storm in South Lake Tahoe This storm is striking the West Coast states now and will move east. A variety of meteorological ills will result. Thursday's Tornado Risk The area in brown has a significant risk of tornadoes Thursday, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Please keep up on the local weather tomorrow.  Thursday and Friday's Snow Forecast The map shows the amount of snow forecast to fall over the next two days. The moisture is desperately needed in Colorado and Utah as well as Wyoming and Nebraska.  Fire Weather Forecast for Thursday The area in red has a critical  wildfire danger Thursday, especially from late morning through the afternoon. Please do everything possible to prevent wildfires, especially outdoor grilling or other fires, tossing cigarette butts or dragging chains. 

The "Ranger Road Fire" The giant orange scar (it is black in real life if viewed from an airplane) -- which indicates the ground is still warm from the fire -- is the area burned by yesterday and today's fire. Two fire fighters from Kansas were injured but not seriously. Fire fighters from Oklahoma were also injured but I have not been able to ascertain their condition at this time. Most of the firefighters in the region are volunteers.  Update: Here is a map of the area burned, so far.  The forecast for the rest of the day is at the bottom of this post.  Jadan Pappenheim took a video that is available here . A screen capture (below) doesn't even begin to capture the vastness of the fire.  The aftermath is heartbreaking. The smaller Tyrone, OK fire (not known on satellite image) did the damage shown below. The video is here .   Forecast Until 6am Thursday It is vital that everything possible be done to avoid sparks be done until tomorrow morning in these areas....

America lost a great civil rights leader with the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson. It was quite a thrill to meet him and have a conversation when he stopped by WeatherData, Incorporated in 1983. His self-help philosophy was an important element of the civil rights discussion. I didn't always agree with him, especially in his later years, but he was a true trailblazer.  May he rest in peace. 

Now providing updates on Twitter/X  @usweatherexpert.  6:27pm Update:  Fire in a neighborhood in Woodward.  KWTV, Oklahoma City.  6:20pm Update:  The fire burning into Woodward, OK where an evacuation order is in effect.  Screen capture from The Hotshot Wake Up (Twitter) video taken in Woodward.  2:50pm Update; screen capture from new video by Jaden.  Englewood, Kansas, being evacuated. The fire has crossed the border (see satellite image below). You may wish to compare that satellite image with the one farther down. Two new fires have broken out since 2pm. One in New Mexico west of Nara Visa and a second in the central Texas Panhandle.  This images was taken just before the fire east of Amarillo. 2:29pm Update There is a report of a large, multi-vehicle accident on U.S. 54 near Tyrone, OK. It is unknown if there are fatalities or injuries.  2:15pm Update From Jordan Hall, one of several semi's flipped over in high winds in the Texa...