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>We have a rather wet pattern ahead for a lot of the Southwest going into the late week! To a lot of folks, this will be great news! The West has been begging for a good drink for a while. Just look at the drought monitor!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1777577601633.png"></p><p>Drought continues to worsen across all of the West. Here is some good news. Widespread rain looks likely across parts of Colorado and New Mexico. For some of the mountains, heavy snow is looking very likely too. The moisture will end from north to south during the day on Friday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1777577876143.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>But just how much moisture are we gonna pick up? Well, the Rockies are forecast to pick up a foot of snow across much of Colorado. We can also expect about half an inch to even an inch of rain across the majority of New Mexico and Colorado for locations at lower elevations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1png-1777577531565.png"></p><p>Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories have been added for portions of Colorado and New Mexico. Totals could range anywhere between 5 - 15".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1777495128468.png">Minor to Major impacts from winter weather will be possible across the higher elevations of the Front Range south through the Sangre De Cristo. The Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 and the Monarch Pass on US-50 may become impacted locations over the next few days.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 084404-1777473851393.png"></p><p>Be sure to join us at :50 past the hour on WeatherNation for your complete West Regional forecast breakdown!</p>

Jesse Kelley

Cut-off Low Increases Rain and Snow Chances Out West

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<h2>Rainfall &amp; Forecast</h2><p>While much of the state of Texas has been under an active pattern recently, additional chances for heavy rainfall will linger through the end of the week as stronger, upper-level energy continues to flow over the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1777575574364.png"></p><p>Because the front never clears the Gulf Coast, the steady stream of warm, moist air arriving from the South doesn't shut off. As energetic winds overhead remain in place, plenty of lift will support daily thunderstorm formation. These thunderstorms will have plenty of moisture to work with and could have extremely high rainfall rates.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1777575690601.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>With the potential combination of training storms and heavy rainfall rates, the flooding concern is rising. This is especially true across Texas, as grounds are already very saturated from previous storms. The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted areas on both Thursday and Friday with a Slight Risk Excessive Rainfall Outlook. Thursday's risk highlights the Texas Hill Country eastward to the I-35 corridor. On Friday, the flooding threat shifts east, encompassing much of East Texas and northern Louisiana.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1777575813934.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>There are many areas, especially across the southeast, that desperately need more rainfall.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 133607-1777404986134.png">Severe Threat</h2><p>There are isolated risks for severe weather starting on Thursday. By Friday, isolated severe storms will be possible across portions of Texas and Florida. Hail will remain a primary concern, but some gusty winds and tornadoes are possible as the threat moves east on Friday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-30 063214-1777552463891.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-30 065400-1777553652688.png"></p>

Heavy Rain, Severe Storms Loom For Texas & Gulf Coast

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h1>Heading to Churchill Downs this Weekend?</h1><h3>Derby Day Weather Outlook</h3><p>Current forecasts call for partly cloudy to partly sunny skies throughout the day on Saturday, with temperatures expected to top out in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Morning temperatures are likely to be brisk, with overnight lows dipping to around 40°F, before gradual warming during the late morning and afternoon hours. While the day may feel cool compared to some recent runnings of the Derby, the conditions are well within the comfortable range for outdoor spectators and participants.</p><p>Perhaps most importantly, the chance of rain appears low, representing a significant improvement from earlier in the week, when unsettled weather threatened to dampen the weekend’s flagship event. While isolated sprinkles cannot be completely ruled out this far in advance, there is currently no strong signal for steady or disruptive rainfall on Saturday.</p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/WEB 1-1777553210631.png"></h1><h1>Impact on Track Conditions</h1><p>Earlier rainfall during the week may have some lingering effects on the Churchill Downs surface, particularly if showers pass through on Friday. However, with Saturday shaping up to be dry and cool, track conditions are expected to improve steadily. A dry forecast on Derby Day would allow the dirt track to firm up, reducing the likelihood of the kind of muddy, sealed surface that can dramatically influence race strategy and outcomes.</p><p>For horsemen, a drying track generally leads to more predictable footing, which can be especially important in a 20‑horse field like the Kentucky Derby, where traffic, pace, and positioning are already major variables.</p><h1><strong>Impact on the Horses</strong></h1><p><strong>From blazing sunshine to torrential rain, the conditions on Derby Day can significantly influence the race's outcome and the experience for horses, jockeys, trainers, and fans alike 🏇</strong></p><p style="text-align: start">🏇 <strong>Precipitation:</strong> Track conditions are the most immediate and noticeable way weather affects the Derby. Rain can quickly turn the usually fast dirt track into a sloppy or muddy surface, altering the performance of certain horses and jockeys. Some horses, known as “mudders,” thrive in wet conditions, while others struggle. For instance, in the rain-soaked 2019 Derby, the muddy track played a role in a dramatic finish that included the controversial disqualification of Maximum Security. Handicappers and bettors pay close attention to forecasts, knowing that a change in weather could shift the odds significantly.</p><p style="text-align: start">🏇 <strong>Temperature</strong> is another critical factor. A warm &amp; humid race day can drain a horse's stamina, especially those not acclimated to the heat and humidity. Trainers often adjust their preparation and hydration strategies depending on the expected weather. Cooler temperatures, on the other hand, may benefit certain horses with more endurance and less speed.</p><p style="text-align: start">🏇 <strong>Wind</strong> also plays a subtle but real role in racing dynamics. A strong headwind down the backstretch can tire front-running horses earlier than expected, while a tailwind might benefit late closers. Though less obvious than mud or rain, wind direction and speed can change race strategies and even alter the pace of the race.</p><p style="text-align: start">In a race where every fraction of a second matters, weather isn’t just a background variable—it’s a potential game-changer. Whether the sun is shining or rain is pouring, the conditions on Derby Day can leave a lasting imprint.</p>

Rain or Shine? Your 152nd Kentucky Derby Forecast

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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.

Jackie Brown

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<p>A trough of low pressure will keep things cool this weekend in portions of the Plains, Great Lakes, and East. Breezy and cool conditions will stick around through the weekend. The WPC has issued a day 3-7 hazards outlook for May 1st - May 3rd as temperatures will be running 5°- 15° below average!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/chillyne-1777508845455.png">Freeze and frost alerts will be likely from the Great Lakes to the northeast the next few evenings. Freezing to sub-freezing temperatures will be possible in the watch and warning areas. Make sure to protect tender plants from the cold! Morning lows will be cold and below average for many. Minneapolis normally has a forecast low of 43°, but will see temperatures in the mid 30s over the next few mornings.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/web1-1777554990115.png"></p><p>Across the Northeast, temperatures will run below average as well. Lots of cities that normally see lows in the 40s will wake up Friday - Sunday morning in the 30s.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/low temps w -1777508881799.png"></p>

Tracey Anthony

Cooler Air Sweeps from the Plains to the Northeast

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<h1>MONDAY</h1><p>Severe storms erupted across the Midwest on Monday, causing damage to homes and other structures. Reports of damaging winds, large hail, and even a few tornadoes came in throughout Monday. Some of those tornadoes touched down after dark, creating truly nightmare-like scenes captured on video in Illinois.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048955551267328360" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048955551267328360"></div><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048945300266537201" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048945300266537201"></div><p>Storms really started to spark up into the early evening. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were firing off into the nighttime hours across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-28 04-20-09-1777371667954.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>We picked up some pretty large hailstones out of Missouri after this system pulled through. Some reports showed hailstones reaching the size of softballs!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042253-1777371968460.png"></p><p>The gustiest winds reported were actually out of Illinois and Indiana. Looking back at the radar from Monday night, it's no surprise, being that we got that defined bow echo.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042302-1777372048925.png"></p><p>Flooding was also a major issue across places like Kansas City. With multiple heavy rounds of rainfall, we even broke several records across major cities in the Midwest. We always tell folks to never sleep on that flooding threat!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042928-1777372180763.png">Why wasn't there more high-end tornadoes? A lot of research will go into the exact whys, but one thing that jumped out at us was the cap. Temperatures above the area where storms were attempting to form were slightly warmer than expected. That snuffed out many storms before they could achieve strong to violent status Monday evening.</p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 115059-1777398675567.png">TUESDAY</h1><p>On Tuesday, our front dropped into the southern plains, providing a focus for more thunderstorms. Supercells approached the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, nearing rush hour. Large hail fell with the most intense storms, and a few tornadoes were reported. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114240-1777484739534.png">Earlier in the day, storms north of the boundary produced more massive hail in southwest Missouri, smashing multiple windows</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114259-1777484807523.png"></p>

Rain or Shine? Your 152nd Kentucky Derby Forecast

Cooler Air Sweeps from the Plains to the Northeast

A Look Back at Moderate Risks This Week

Cut-off Low Increases Rain and Snow Chances Out West

Heavy Rain, Severe Storms Loom For Texas & Gulf Coast

Rain or Shine? Your 152nd Kentucky Derby Forecast

Cooler Air Sweeps from the Plains to the Northeast

A Look Back at Moderate Risks This Week

Cut-off Low Increases Rain and Snow Chances Out West

Heavy Rain, Severe Storms Loom For Texas & Gulf Coast

Rain or Shine? Your 152nd Kentucky Derby Forecast

Cooler Air Sweeps from the Plains to the Northeast

A Look Back at Moderate Risks This Week