Kevin Schneider

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<p>A severe weather threat is taking shape across the southern Plains this week as a stalled boundary, a sharpening dryline, and an upper-level disturbance come together over a record-breaking warm and increasingly humid central airmass.</p><h2>OUTLOOK</h2><p>An <strong>ENHANCED </strong>risk has been issued through this evening. Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes will be possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/fjfjfjss-1775063569605.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/wind s-1775063505900.png"></p><h2>TIMING</h2><p>Storms are firing along the dryline and showing discrete supercell characteristics, increasing the threat for large or very large hail. Eventually, these will merge, forming a line of storms that will close in on Wichita and OKC.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/overnightwed-1775085349858.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Jackie Brown

Dave Holder

Severe Threat Ramps Up in the Plains

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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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<p>While much of the country, and in particular the Southwest, baked underneath a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/record-heat-rolls-east-this-week"><strong><em>historic heatwave</em></strong></a> in March, a shift in the jet stream has brought cooler and wetter weather back to the area.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2038436047768670271" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2038436047768670271"></div><p></p><h1>Alerts</h1><p>Winter alerts are in effect across the higher elevations of Utah and Colorado. Some areas are expecting a foot of snowfall, with isolated locations seeing higher totals. Winds will also be gusty across the higher terrain. Winter Weather Advisories were reissued across northern Utah for another round expected on Thursday. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 164533-1775083550601.png"></p><p>The Sierra Nevada Mountains also have winter alerts in place that will continue through most of Thursday morning. Travel delays and slick roadways are likely. Stay safe as this much-needed moisture arrives across the higher terrain.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 164841-1775083739866.png"></p><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><p>While one system is departing, another area of disturbance will move across Northern California and back into Utah and Colorado. This system will continue to bring impacts through Friday morning. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/southwestsystem-1775083858745.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 165239-1775083975535.png">Although not a "drought buster" by any means, these systems will at least help put a dent into the record-low snowpack across the West, along with some relief from the heat!</p>

SW Pattern Change: Tracking Rain & Snow

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<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">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></span></p>

Rob Bradley

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2038956981763903857" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2038956981763903857"></div><p>Several waves of low pressure will traverse the northern tier of the country through the end of this week, bringing plenty of lift and clashing temperatures to set the stage for heavy rain and severe storms.</p><h1>Severe Weather Outlooks</h1><p>Through tonight, the SPC has two regions of <strong>SLIGHT</strong> risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms. Wind is the primary risk, but all hazards (hail &amp; tornadoes) are also possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 142642-1775075209802.png">A trailing storm system will bring another threat back to the Great Lakes on Thursday, with an elevated risk around Lake Michigan and the northern Mississippi River Valley. Wind is expected to be the most widespread hazard, but hail and tornadoes are possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 133756-1775075310390.png">The tornado potential will be elevated around Lake Michigan on Thursday, with even a few strong tornadoes possible (hatched area). Have multiple ways to get tornado alerts and review your tornado safety plan - have a safe location at work and at home.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 065253-1775047985918.png"></p><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><h2>Wednesday</h2><p>The afternoon and evening will be prime time for severe storms Wednesday and Thursday. Storms look to form over the Appalachians around midday before strengthening and moving east into the late afternoon and evening hours. Storms will gradually lose energy past midnight.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/rnc hrrr latest-1775075452604.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Thursday</h2><p>Thursday's storms could be feisty a bit earlier in the day, as leftover energy from Wednesday's storms moves north overnight. After the early morning sizzle, storms take a break while energy rebuilds ahead of the next front. As the cold front moves through during the afternoon, a new round of storms blooms ahead of the cold front while racing to the northeast. Storms will gradually lose energy through the overnight hours.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-01 07-12-01-1775049159182.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Heavy rain could lead to flooding, with 1-3 inches possible in heavier downpours. Isolated flash flooding is possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-31 152917-1774992562417.png">Tune into WeatherNation for the latest on these storms.</p>

Patrick Crawford

Several Severe Storm Chances For the Midwest, East Coast

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<p>It's been unbearably hot across the West for the last week, after warm and dry conditions for a good chunk of the winter season. This has led to drought conditions, with dry vegetation ready to burn. Another cold front moves across the Northern Rockies and High Plains, increasing fire danger into the upcoming week. Fire Weather Alerts are in effect overnight.  There are even threats for isolated dry thunderstorms that can spark wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico overnight.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/overnightttttssss-1774923482169.png">In Nebraska, the Ashby and Minor fires grew rapidly by tens of thousands of acres, very close to the Morrill burn scar. Given the continued fire weather conditions, more fire growth is possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-30 083405-1774881249265.png">An elevated threat for fire weather continues Tuesday across portions of New Mexico and Texas.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-30 083433-1774881277930.png">Keep it locked in on WeatherNation, as we continue to update you on these fires and their impacts!</p>

Critical Fire Danger & Isolated Dry Thunderstorms

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<p><em>Top Image Credit: National Parks Service</em></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div><p>Spring is here and so are the blooms of flowers all across North America. This includes the famous cherry tree bloom around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 050710-1774696193114.png">On Thursday, March 26th, the National Mall announced peak bloom has been reached! The peak is expected to last about a week or so, depending on weather conditions. On March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026, which was only off by about 3 days - an impressive forecast!</p><h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2><p>The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm"><strong><u>many types of cherry trees</u></strong></a> in the area. Peak bloom usually lasts for several days, with the blooms taking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm"><strong><u>about two to three weeks to reach peak</u></strong></a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 080844-1774534352362.png"></p><h2>Past Blooms</h2><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"><br>Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).</p><p>Visiting the blossoming cherry trees has become a favorite springtime tradition for Americans and tourists alike, dating back to 1912 when Japan gifted the U.S. about 3,000 cherry trees. The cherry trees in Japan have been putting on a show for thousands of years, with the dates of blooms being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/date-of-the-peak-cherry-tree-blossom-in-kyoto"><strong><u>recorded all the way back to the 9th century</u></strong></a>. The dates for this year's peak blooms in Japan are expected from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/"><strong><u>late March through late April</u></strong></a> from north to south across the nation.</p>

Alana Cameron

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

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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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<p>Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated the Hawaiian Islands late last week is on the move. It's being funneled around an area of high pressure, taking aim at the Pacific Northwest. Thankfully, it won't be nearly as heavy or intense as what Hawaii faced.</p><p><strong><em>Related: </em></strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/flash-flood-emergency-for-oahu-additional-rain-expected-for-hawaii"><strong><em><u>Kona Low Recap</u></em></strong></a></p><p>This round looks like it will be a little different than the previous round, which brought only rain to the area. Snow levels with this system will drop a bit, bringing a shot at some wintry impacts to the mountain passes.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-24 033707-1774345071882.png"></p><p>An active Jetstream will bring more energy into the region on Tuesday. That's when you can expect the most widespread rain, with only scattered coverage from Wednesday onward.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-24 03-38-07-1774345113637.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>There will be winds with this latest batch, with some of the mountain peaks expecting the worst of them. Sporadic power outages will be possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-24 033943-1774345194700.png">Make sure you're staying tuned to WeatherNation for your northwest forecast at :50 past the hour!</p>

Adrian Hernandez

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

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<p>After record shattering rain and hurricane force winds last weekend, Hawaii is already dealing with another strong low pressure system moving in from the west, known locally as a Kona Low.</p><h2>FRIDAY</h2><p>Catastrophic flash flooding unfolded overnight Thursday into Friday morning on the northern side of O'ahu, after 5-9 inches of rain fell from slow moving thunderstorms. As a result, a dam failure was possible but officials say that the dam is in good condition so far. More heavy rain is possible to change the status. Evacuation orders have been issued for Haleiwa and Waialua as intense flooding cut off roads and inundated low lying areas. <br><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-23 042733-1774261661310.png">The heavy rain was created by an approaching Kona Low, which will keep the weather pattern rainy through the weekend.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 112518-1774200333277.png"></p><p>The low is shifting east into this week, leading to sunnier conditions and a much-needed break from the rain.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-22 11-27-05-1774200450759.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Rainfall totals could easily surpass 1-4 inches where thunderstorms train, or move over the same locations multiple times. Flooding will happen fast as the grounds are very saturated from the previous storms.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 044159-1774176130318.png"></p><h1>Previous System Record Rain &amp; Wind</h1><p>Rainfall totals from the previous system are almost unfathomable. Each island had at least one weather station record over 20 inches of rain with hurricane-force winds recorded as well. These intense conditions left the islands more prone for impacts from following storms.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 110451-1774026907445.png"></p>

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

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<p>For more on the additional rain coming to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/more-rain-tornado-threat-in-the-northeast"><strong><em><u>Northeast through Thursday</u></em></strong></a>, click here. For the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/hurricane-lees-impacts-to-new-england-the-northeast"><strong><em><u>Hurricane Lee</u></em></strong></a> forecast, visit here. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/VO_091223_RNE_LEOMINSTER,MA_PRETTY BRUTAL DAMAGE DUE TO FLOODING, MULTIPLE SHOTS_TW_@HENRYSWENSON_DO_E091223-1694525337731.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Over 8" of rain brought widespread flooding to the central Massachusetts community of Leominster last night. Widespread heavy rain was seen in the area, causing roads to buckle, streets to be washed away and cars to be trapped in the flood waters.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/rain reports-1694525272194.jpg">Dozens of rescues were performed and the town is under a State of Emergency as potential damn failures are possible today along the Fall Brooke tributary. At the time of the flooding, Route 2 (a major E/W thoroughfare through north-central Mass) was CLOSED.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1701531642597122538" src="https://twitter.com/MassEMA/status/1701531642597122538"></div><p>The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has been on hand to assist the city of Leominster with flooding recover, bringing in sandbags, additional shelter staff and equipment. City schools were closed on Tuesday on account of the flooding.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1701437980949286979" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1701437980949286979"></div><p>It wasn't just central Mass that was hit with flooding, the Providence, RI metro and Attleboro, MA were also hit by heavy rain leading to flash flooding. According to official storm reports, " Linden st, Thatcher st, Vine st, Collins st, and Mendon rd all [were] flooded an impassable." in Attleboro and in Pawtucket (outside of Providence), a "Car stuck in flood waters near Armisticle Blvd at McHale Ct."</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/09/VON_091123_RNE_CUMBERLAND, RI_KNEE-HIGH FLOOING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA, MAY WANT TO GIVE LIGHT-SENSITIVTY WARNING AS EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHT GIVE STROBE-LIKE EFFECT_TW_@RHODYKNOWSBEST_JK_E091123-1694524765437.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Extreme Flooding in Mass

Severe Threat Ramps Up in the Plains

A severe weather threat is taking shape acros

SW Pattern Change: Tracking Rain & Snow

While much of the country, and in particular

Several Severe Storm Chances For the Midwest, East Coast

Several waves of low pressure will traverse t

Critical Fire Danger & Isolated Dry Thunderstorms

It's been unbearably hot across the West for

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated t

Powerful Kona Low Devastates Hawaii Over the Weekend

After record shattering rain and hurricane fo