Kevin Schneider

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Hurricane Erin briefly strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday. Now it's a weaker but still major Category 3 hurricane, and it's expected to intensify to a Category 4 on Monday (8/18).<h1>Hurricane Erin</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer erin stats-1755476618470.jpg">It is expected to continue to turn to the northwest, maintaining its strength as a major hurricane over warmer waters. While the Caribbean is avoiding a direct hit, big swells, gusty winds, and flooding will still be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/pic6-1755467280770.png">Tropical alerts have been added to Turks &amp; Caicos as conditions are expected to worsen as Erin moves past.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/pic6-1755466793505.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-16 051250-1755342811582.png"><h2>Steering Factors</h2>Erin is forecast to track westward, then take a curve to the north. The strength of the ridge of high pressure over the Atlantic will determine when Erin takes this turn northward. There will also be a trough coming out of the U.S. that should help steer Erin away from the Atlantic Coast.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/pic6-1755466910214.png">Impacts - Rip Currents / Big Waves</h1>The strongest winds from Erin are missing the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles to the north, but as Erin grows larger, its tropical storm wind field could expand to include Bermuda.Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Hatteras Island, NC (Zone A). Storm surge will be significant with wave heights of 15-20 feet.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/pic6-1755467177204.png">The biggest impact will be large wave heights and dangerous currents from the Caribbean this weekend to the U.S. Atlantic Coast this week. Beachgoers on the East Coast this week should be very cautious when going into the water.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/erin wave heights-1755459633651.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>RELATED ARTICLE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/csu-issues-final-2025-atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast">CSU, NOAA UPDATE Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast</a>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest tropical updates.

Chris Tomer

Hurricane Erin Expected To Intensify

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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>

Rob Bradley

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The summer pattern across the Midwest has yet to break, with several more days of ridge riding storms in the forecast! Several troughs moving through Canada will help spur storms across the northern tier of the country as they ride around the ridge of high pressure to the south. This is sometimes known as a "ring of fire" pattern, which can lead to multiple storms moving over the same locations, leading to an increased risk for flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer rnc spin-1755477496466.jpg"><h2>Severe Weather Outlooks</h2>The risk for severe storms will continue through tonight and into Monday across the Northern Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer rnc spc overnight-1755481112300.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/mods-1755459450916.png"><h2>Forecast</h2>Storms look to initiate in the afternoons, with some having enough instability to stay strong to severe into the overnight hours. With the threat of overnight storms, be sure to have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts that can wake you up so you can quickly go to your shelter/safe place.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer rnc furturecast-1755477615664.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rain will be an issue with the repeated rounds of severe storms. Through the next few days, rainfall amounts between 3-6" can be found across parts of Minnesota.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer rnc rain forecast-1755477543364.jpg">Elevated flooding potential will start on Friday, persisting in the Upper Mississippi Valley region through the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/2025-08-17 05-59-05-1755432700121.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest updates on the forecast. You can always find your full Central Regional Forecast:30 past the hour.

Rounds of Storms: Northern Plains to the Great Lakes

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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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The first of two important cold fronts slides across the Eastern Coast and away through Monday morning. The 2nd cold front arrives Tuesday-Thursday and will help to keep Hurricane Erin away from the East Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer ne svr overnight-1755481222352.jpg"><h1>Timing</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer northeast futurecast-1755477340706.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The next cold front will move into the focus by Tuesday and Wednesday. This front will give a helping hand at keeping Hurricane Erin away from the East Coast and force it back north of Bermuda!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/1png-1755398500932.png">With the two storm systems ahead, most of the Northeast will average about 1-2" of rain through midweek! Some minor flooding could be possible with some stronger storms that develop. In addition, temperatures are expected to cool off some heading into next week too.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer ne rain forecast-1755481290736.jpg">After touching the 90s on Sunday, the cooler weather returns, with highs stuck in the 70s for the first half of the week!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/mon- wed -1755458031557.png">

Two Cold Fronts Moving Into the Northeast

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It can be jarring how quickly things can change during Hurricane Season. It feels like we see this a lot: off to a quiet start and with the snap of a finger it's wave after wave that need to be watched. One of these waves ended up turning into Erin - not saying that's what to expect later this week, however.RELATED ARTICLE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/an-area-to-monitor-in-the-atlantic">Latest on Hurricane Erin</a>Our next wave has emerged off of the western coast of Africa, a known breeding ground for tropical systems around the peak of the season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 101545-1755447483753.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/tomer atl overview-1755477695107.jpg">It's a little less organized than what became Erin, but that can always change as it progresses westward. Much like its predecessor, it will have to battle a lot of Saharan Dust in the early stages. It appears that is going to temper expectations in the short term.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 102005-1755447614176.png">Another wave will exit over the next day or so, which will also bear watching but has all of the other limitations on it. By Thursday, that's when we might see some signs of life. The GFS model, for example, has a pair of waves that traverse the Atlantic, and would threaten the Leeward Islands late this week. It's far too early to start talking specifics with either of these waves. At this juncture, just monitor reliable weather messengers. If you have a hole in your Hurricane Plan, fix it!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 102653-1755448094750.png">Don't freak out. Don't fall for the clickbait. Either or both of these waves could never develop - that's what we'll root for over the coming days.

More Tropical Waves to Watch This Week

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Numerous wildfires continue to burn across the western United States, including three "Megafires," or fires burning over 100,000 acres: The Lee Wildfire, Dragon Bravo Wildfire, and Gifford Wildfire. In addition to the warm weather and dry fuels, fire spread could be accelerated in the next few days with more dry thunderstorms and gusty conditions.<h1>GIFFORD FIRE</h1>Burning as California's largest wildfire in 2025, the Gifford Fire has torched over 132k acres. The good news has been the containment numbers in recent days. That has increased to 89% as of Sunday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/VON_081125_RSW_SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, CA_3 OF 3 BEST ONE CLOSE UP VIDEO OF CREWS WORKING THE GIFFORD FIRE_TW_@SBCFIREINFO_MS_E081225-1755015460725.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>LEE FIRE</h1>A large fire erupted on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, known as the Lee Fire. It has burned over 137k acres. Most of the poor air quality has been locked up in western Colorado, fluctuating at times. This fire is likely soon to become Colorado's third-largest wildfire in state history, needing fewer than 2k additional acres to top the size of the Pine Gulch Fire, which burned during the historic 2020 season in the Centennial State.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 093907-1755445152104.png"><h1>DRAGON BRAVO FIRE</h1>One of the largest fires in Arizona history, the Dragon Bravo Fire, has continued to smolder along the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. It has burned more than 144k acres, making it the 7th largest in state history.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1953931727044223408" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1953931727044223408"></div><h1></h1><h1>FORECAST</h1>Dry and gusty conditions will still have the potential to lead to rapid rates of fire spread through Sunday. Elevated fire weather conditions are expected across portions of Nevada and Utah.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/jfjfd-1755458154077.png">Lightning will still have the potential to spark more fires. Isolated dry thunderstorms are possible through tonight across the Northwest, specifically much of Idaho.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/through slsls-1755458167205.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Several Megafires Burning in the West, More Dry T-Storms Possible

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As the lower 48 continues to play literal hot potato, millions are sweating it out for the middle and end of August. Now that many around the country are going back to school, it's an added layer of complication keeping those in the heat safe. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 103858-1755448991726.png">For now, the heat has been bottled up in the southern and central plains states, with places like Shreveport expecting a heat index of 110-115! Heat Advisories cover over 40 million people to end the weekend, with some extending into Monday. And then our heat dome moves (above). It will start to slide west as the week moves on, bringing the worst of the heat with it. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 104247-1755449075601.png">Some areas like the northwest will start to heat up quickly, and by Wednesday, be threatening record high temperatures for the afternoon. And this might be the norm for the rest of the month. The Climate Prediction Center has circled a good majority of the western half of the U.S. for some above normal temperatures. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-17 104300-1755449169508.png">

Record Highs Chased Back to the West This Week

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Brittany Lockley

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The heat dome that affected the southwest for a while has moved over to the plains. Low pressure has shifted over the west, and the flow around the high pressure out east is pulling monsoonal moisture into the Four Corners, leading to showers and thunderstorms. Friday brought some monsoon storms and a daily maximum rainfall record for Prescott, AZ where over a half inch of rain fell down. More storms are expected this weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot 2025-08-16 052858-1755343754239.jpg">The best chance for showers and storms will come during the afternoon and evening hours. It is possible for a few overnight storms in the Desert Southwest. The main threats from the storms will be some gusty winds and heavy rainfall.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/New Baron Video 3-1755397803756.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Over the next seven days, we are forecasting approximately one to two inches of rain in some locations. Some isolated flooding could be possible, especially if heavy rain falls over burn scar areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/1-1755313439177.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/08/1-1755313475552.png">Tune into WeatherNation TV for more details.

Jesse Kelley

Monsoonal Moisture Returns to the Southwest

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Snow has returned to the northern Rockies with heavy snow continuing through the Bitterroots of Montana, Idaho, and the Tetons of Wyoming. An unsettled pattern and winds from the north/northwest keep snow showers around for the highest elevations through the start of the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/02/FORECAST-1707355435070.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Due to the prolonged snow potential, winter weather alerts are in effect into Friday across Wyoming, Idaho, Western North Dakota, and Montana to account for more snow. New snow totals of 3-6" will be possible region-wide but higher or lower depending on elevation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/02/pic3-1707355122701.png">In addition to the winter weather alerts, the incoming snow will lead to unstable mountain slopes. As a result, the avalanche danger is elevated around Big Sky, MT and the ski resorts of central Idaho. Please avoid skiing in the backcountry and carry an avalanche beacon.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/02/Avalanche Danger Wed-1707305000900.png">

Heavy Snow for the Northern Rockies

Hurricane Erin Expected To Intensify

Hurricane Erin briefly strengthened to a Cate

Rounds of Storms: Northern Plains to the Great Lakes

The summer pattern across the Midwest has yet

Two Cold Fronts Moving Into the Northeast

The first of two important cold fronts slides

More Tropical Waves to Watch This Week

It can be jarring how quickly things can chan

Several Megafires Burning in the West, More Dry T-Storms Possible

Numerous wildfires continue to burn across th

Record Highs Chased Back to the West This Week

As the lower 48 continues to play literal hot

Monsoonal Moisture Returns to the Southwest

The heat dome that affected the southwest for