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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Top Image Credit: National Parks Service<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div>Spring is fast approaching, 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png">On Thursday, March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026. The peak is expected around late March into early April (between the 31st and 2nd). Still, the forecast for the peak is generally difficult to make beyond ten days, as blossoms will be impacted by weather conditions. Check back in for updates!<h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2>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">many types of cherry trees</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">about two to three weeks to reach peak</a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.<h2>Past Blooms</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"> Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).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">recorded all the way back to the 9th century</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/">late March through late April</a> from north to south across the nation.

Dave Holder

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

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Brittany Lockley

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Wildfire activity is ramping up across the United States, as a dangerous combination of dry air, gusty winds, and above-average temperatures creates ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread. From the Rockies to the Plains, fire weather alerts have been issued frequently, with low humidity and strong winds allowing even small sparks to quickly turn into fast-moving wildfires. The next several days will be concerning across central parts of the country, where dormant grasses act as fuel and can carry flames over large distances in a short amount of time.&nbsp;Precipitation will be limited over the next few days, and cold front will brings gusty winds. Red Flag warnings are in place.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 114616-1774201587137.png">For Sunday, fire alerts have been issued from Kansas down through the Texas Panhandle. While the actual temperatures of this heatwave have been the main focus, increasing temperatures lead to low relative humidity. Winds will kick up at times, too, in response to systems riding around the periphery of the upper-level heat dome.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 114746-1774201678543.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 114822-1774201714644.png">Unfortunately, some fires have already sparked and continue to grow. The 24 Fire, located to the southwest of Colorado Springs, has has grown to over four and a half thousand acres and remains uncontained, prompting evacuation orders for nearby communities. Crews on the ground, along with aerial support, are working to slow the spread, but shifting winds and dry fuels continue to pose challenges. Smoke from the fire has been visible across the region, a reminder of how active the situation remains.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 114938-1774201788226.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 115050-1774201865700.png">Frequent wind events, dry air, and limited moisture are all contributing to an elevated fire risk heading into spring. As a result, follow evacuation orders if necessary, and take extra precautions to avoid starting new fires. With the current pattern in place, the potential for additional wildfire outbreaks will likely continue in the weeks ahead.&nbsp;Stay tuned for WeatherNation for more details.

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

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A series of systems moving across the Northern half of the nation will spark a sharp contrast with the record heat building in the south / southeast over the weekend. As cold fronts move from the Midwest into the East, several rounds of severe storms are possible. A few severe storms did pop up Saturday but they will stay sub severe into the overnight hours. Sunday's threat is likely to have the most widespread impacts with wind, hail, and tornadoes possible.<h1>SUNDAY - MONDAY</h1>The next clipper arrives on Sunday. Already, the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the Mid Atlantic and Ohio Valley region with a Slight Risk of severe storms. In a recent update, an enhanced risk has also been issued. With this new outlook, a significant hail and wind threat will be present, meaning the threat for hail stones 2" in diameter or greater and damaging winds up to 75mph are possible. The threat will likely shift to favor damaging winds later in the evening. While wind &amp; hail are the main threats, isolated tornadoes are possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 113206-1774200774617.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 113307-1774200799496.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 113901-1774201154419.png">Storms build into the early afternoon, with scattered severe storms possible. That threat will persist into the late evening before storms gradually lose energy and move into the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic with some heavy rain. On Monday as the front drops south into the Carolinas, a few isolated severe storms are possible in the afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-22 11-33-51-1774200858587.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The SPC is highlighting areas from Macon Georgia out to the coast from Savannah to Wilmington for a primarily wind thread throughout Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 113446-1774200904711.png">Get the latest forecast for the East anytime on the WeatherNaiton app, or by tuning in at :10 past the hour.

Severe Storm Potential Returns to the Ohio Valley & Southeast

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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.<h2>FRIDAY</h2>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. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-21 062122-1774096044055.png">The heavy rain was created by an approaching Kona Low, which will keep the weather pattern rainy through the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 112518-1774200333277.png">Flood watches are in effect for all of the islands through the end of Sunday. The low is forecast to shift east into next week, leading to sunnier conditions and a much needed break from the rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 112547-1774200359826.png">Bands of heavy rain will move through the islands at times over the next several days, with intensity of the showers fluctuating. Thunderstorms could lead to the development of flash flooding, especially with saturated soils from the previous Kona low.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-22 11-27-05-1774200450759.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 044159-1774176130318.png"><h1>Previous System Record Rain &amp; Wind</h1>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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 110451-1774026907445.png">

Flood Watch In effect for O'ahu, Worst Flood in 20 Years

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WEST - Heatwave would be putting this stretch of extreme weather mildly. One of the most intense heat events the U.S. has seen since record-keeping began is unfolding. More daily and monthly March records kept falling on Saturday across the West!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-21 202411-1774146265274.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-21 202304-1774146278684.png">The heat is expected to continue through the rest of the weekend, before temperatures drop slightly. Even though temperatures will drop somewhat, record heat will persist through at least the middle of next week, if not longer.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 112126-1774200107528.png">Afternoon highs in several locations are expected to climb back into the 100s, shattering daily temperature records and creating a dramatic contrast from the colder conditions that typically dominate early March. In some areas, temperatures are running 20 to 40 degrees above seasonal averages.Heat alerts are in effect through the weekend across portions of California, Nevada, and Arizona.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 112241-1774200173617.png">The heat will fade only slightly for most SW locations this weekend before the ridge rebuilds next week. A sharper drop in temperatures is possible toward the end of next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 040311-1774173805372.png">The Climate Prediction Center has a high confidence that temperatures will stay above normal through the end of March.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-22 040441-1774173898281.png">More on your Western Regional Forecast can be found:50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Severe Storm Potential Returns to the Ohio Valley & Southeast

Flood Watch In effect for O'ahu, Worst Flood in 20 Years

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

Severe Storm Potential Returns to the Ohio Valley & Southeast

Flood Watch In effect for O'ahu, Worst Flood in 20 Years

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

Severe Storm Potential Returns to the Ohio Valley & Southeast

Flood Watch In effect for O'ahu, Worst Flood in 20 Years

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West