WeatherNation Meteorologists

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It has been an active summer for portions of the Northern Plains, with several rounds of severe weather even during the last week. Another low will spur additional severe weather threats through the end of the weekend and into Monday. Damaging winds and large hail will be the biggest threats. The tornado threat will be isolated, but possible. Daytime heating will provide instability, with afternoons and evenings offering the best chance of severe storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 192049-1788052886938.png">High-based thunderstorms are possible as a trough moves from the Rockies into the Plains. On Sunday, storms from the Rockies are also likely to head east ahead of a cold front into the Plains and Dakotas, whereas a warm front will also allow for thunderstorms throughout the day.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/08-29 rnc overnight bams-1788052906153.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Most will see around a quarter of an inch or less of rain, but there will be localized heavier rainfall in the storms that develop over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 192155-1788052923169.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 162922-1788042571459.png">For the latest updates on these storms, make sure to tune into the central regional forecast:30 past the hour.

Alana Cameron

Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

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Ready for some fall-like temperatures? Some residents in the Northwest will get a taste of autumn as a cold trough of low pressure digs into the region from Canada this weekend. Another cold trough is expected in the area next week as well!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/west troughies-1788052370992.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video> Farther south, the cooler air will be clashing with the warmth of summer, leading to energy for strong storms and heavy downpours. Many areas around the Four Corners and Rockies will have potential to see 1-3 inches of rain by the end of the day on Tuesday.<h1>Rain &amp; Flood</h1>Pacific moisture will inundate the region, with days of heavy downpours for areas around the Four Corners. 1-4 inches of rain are expected in the favored locations, with scattered flash flooding possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 191327-1788052454224.png">Flood outlooks are elevated through Monday in portions of Arizona and Utah, with the isolated risk for flooding lingers around the region through Wednesday, at least.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/08-29 western eros-1788052464835.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Severe Storms</h1>As the low and cold front swings through the Rockies with scattered severe storms are possible from eastern Nevada through northern Utah. Isolated severe storms are possible for areas in green from Tucson through Cheyenne.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 191815-1788052704930.png">Winds have already gusted up to 60-70 mph Saturday night, and the risk for damaging winds continues across the High Country through the overnight hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 191540-1788052715151.png">Severe storms appear possible around the Four Corners on Sunday and Monday as well, so stay prepared to seek shelter if a warning is issued for you.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/08-29 WEST OVERNIGHT BAMS-1788052759450.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Drought Relief</h1>September is favored for above average precipitation across a majority of the Western United States. This would be a great way to end a solid monsoon season, which runs through the end of the month.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 075355-1788011658558.png">With more rain on the way, drought improvement is likely for some areas, while drought removal is even possible in others. Keep doing your rain dance (take video and tag us if you do!).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 075403-1788011667031.png">

Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

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Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic on Thursday. Former Invest 96-L was able to create a clearly defined center of circulation Thursday morning with robust convection. The system encountered strong winds which broke the system apart. These remnants have a low chance of developing again, but will still bring heavy rain to the Caribbean and the Bahamas in the days ahead.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/08-29 dolly caribean-1788052222941.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Puerto Rico has seen dire drought conditions and is in desperate need of rain. Still, with dry ground and hilly terrain, flash flooding will be a threat. Interests in the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should stay updated on the forecast in the coming days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 191032-1788052245028.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 054609-1788003975626.png">Another low pressure system in the northern Gulf is being monitored for development, this is an area of investigation denoted Invest 97L. This weak low needs time to get organized but it probably won't have it. Most models expect to the low to move onshore by Monday, which would stop any development that occurs prior. A few heavy thunderstorms are expected on the north side of the low in the central Gulf.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 163312-1788042798983.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 190911-1788052270300.png">El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in the Atlantic this summer, with four named storms to date but only 11% of average cyclone energy!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 110319-1788023024504.png">This doesn't mean the rest of the season will be just as quiet, however, as 66% of all hurricane activity in the Atlantic occurs between August 20th and October 10th. The climatological peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season is September 10.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 090839-1787843332378.png">

NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

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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!

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High pressure continues to dominate the Southwest. Extreme Heat Warnings (in pink) still remain in place for cities including Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and the Coachella Valley. Heat Advisories (in orange) also remain in place through tonight across the California Coast including Los Angeles and San Diego.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 124202-1788028928893.png">Most of the Southwest, which is normally hot, will have many cities running above average and breaking records through tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 124216-1788028995569.png">By tomorrow, we will start to feel the impacts of the trough that is digging into the PNW and the cooler air associated with it. Los Angeles will see temperatures drop down to the mid to low 80s by midweek.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 124327-1788029016854.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest.

Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

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Brittany Lockley

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The Pacific hurricane season is showing no signs of slowing down as multiple tropical systems churn across the basin, with warm ocean temperatures and a strengthening El Niño helping create favorable conditions for development.Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell are among the latest systems to form over the open Pacific. Both storms are forecast to strengthen as they remain over warm water and could reach hurricane intensity this weekend.Karina is moving northwest across the Eastern Pacific and is expected to continue strengthening while remaining over the open ocean. The storm is not currently expected to pose a direct threat to land.Farther west, Lowell is also forecast to intensify. The system is expected to make several changes in direction before eventually tracking westward this weekend. Lowell could become a hurricane by Saturday night<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 124756-1788029300103.png">While Lowell remains far southeast of Hawaii, its longer-range track will be monitored closely. Some forecast guidance suggests the system could eventually move into the Central Pacific, potentially bringing indirect impacts to Hawaii. However, there remains considerable uncertainty in the forecast at that range.The active pattern may not end with the current systems. There is also another area southwest of Mexico where an area of low pressure could develop this weekend. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions are expected to become favorable for additional organization, giving the disturbance a high chance of tropical development over the next several days.Another disturbance south of Hawaii is also being watched, although its chances of development are currently much lower.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 061216-1788005564238.png">El Niño Helping Fuel Pacific Activity<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 063244-1788006785219.png">The surge in tropical activity comes as El Niño continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific.El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures across portions of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. Those unusually warm waters can influence weather patterns around the globe while also creating an environment that can favor tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 063337-1788006834640.png">This year’s El Niño has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.While the Pacific remains crowded with tropical systems, many of the current storms are expected to remain over open water. Still, with several additional areas being monitored, the active stretch of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season is far from over.Click here for more on what is happening in the Atlantic Basin:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/atlantic-tropics-watching-several-areas-strong-tropical-wave-next-week"> Atlantic Tropics.</a>

NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms

Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms

Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms