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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While the Midwest has finally seen a break from a cold, snowy pattern, warmer air and increasing moisture could lead to strong or severe storms by Thursday. A low moving onshore from the Pacific will deepen east of the Rockies Wednesday into Thursday, bringing lift and wind shear to the region. While at the surface, moisture from the Gulf is pulled north into mild winter temperatures. These parameters should allow for scattered severe storms on Thursday afternoon, including the chance for tornadoes. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 112605-1771439175193.png">The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) for portions of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky for Thursday. Scattered damaging wind and large hail are expected to be the most widespread hazards, but several tornadoes are also possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 112656-1771439223958.png">The tornado potential is expected to be elevated, with a few tornadoes possible for the region in brown (above). An isolated tornado is possible for locations in green, such as St. Louis and Columbus.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/ovsevere-1771439385965.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Models are not in great agreement about how many storms will initiate and evolve throughout the day, but the early to middle afternoon hours appear to be the best time for any potential storms to ramp up to produce impacts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 113034-1771439445250.png">Rainfall could be briefly intense, but flash flooding is not expected. Areas that see multiple thunderstorms could pick up 1-3" of rain.

Dave Holder

Severe Storms Target the Midwest, Ohio Valley on Thursday

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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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ROCKIES - Widespread winter alerts remain in place across the four corners, with additional snowfall expected for the region. Some parts of Utah and Colorado have already seen over half a foot of snowfall. More is on the way!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 111957-1771438824580.png">On and off rain and snow showers are expected to continue through much of the week, dropping feet of snow for some areas in the Rockies.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/4snow-1771439055301.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Snowfall totals could reach 1 to 3 feet in the higher elevations through Thursday. The system's track from the Southwest will favor upslope snow in SW Utah and Colorado, increasing totals there, such as Telluride.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 112450-1771439102121.png">Most ski resorts can expect at least 6-12" through Thursday morning, with some seeing up to two feet!Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest updates.

Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

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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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Fire alerts are in place through this evening across the plains for strong winds and low humidity! Multiple active fires broke out on Tuesday, and any fire that develops can spread rapidly. Because of these conditions, outdoor burning is not recommended.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/hfhfhsksss-1771439289827.png">Multiple fires broke out on Tuesday, with over 155,000 acres burned. Evacuation orders have been issued. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/central plains fire-1771439332102.png">As another front moves through, a critical fire weather outlook risk is in place. Wind gusts up to 60 mph will be possible. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/we2-1771425801018.png">Some winds were clocked close to triple digits. The winds prompted a blowing dust advisory to be issued on Tuesday afternoon, and a 30+-vehicle pileup resulted from brownout conditions along I-25 in southern Colorado.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Web 9-1771425927888.png">

Wildfire Danger: Critical Conditions Today

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Brittany Lockley

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CALIFORNIA - The state of California has been impacted by the first of several frontal boundaries that prompted severe warnings, flash flood warnings, heavy mountain snow, and gusty winds Tuesday into Wednesday morning. The next in a series of fronts moves onshore over the next day or so, adding more to all the previous totals.An active weather pattern will stick around for much of the week, bringing periods of rain, mountain snow, and cool temperatures across the region. While today will not be a total washout, expect scattered showers at times, especially along the Central Coast, as the bulk of the overnight storm system moves out by sunrise. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2023502650579284209" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2023502650579284209"></div><h1></h1><h1>Timing</h1>Another system arrives overnight Wednesday into Thursday, delivering another round of rain and mountain snow before tapering off late Thursday afternoon and evening. Several inches of additional snow are expected in the mountains, particularly above 5,000 feet. Snow levels could drop to around 4,000 feet Thursday morning and again Thursday night into early Friday, which means portions of Interstate 5, especially near the Grapevine, could see accumulating snow and lingering slick conditions into Friday morning. Check for road closures and delays as heavy snow will be very impactful across the higher elevations and passes.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/jfjfjf1111-1771385148558.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals with this next system are expected to range from about a quarter to a half inch across the coast and valleys, with up to an inch possible in the mountains. Areas north of Point Conception may see slightly higher totals due to persistent northwest flow keeping showers around longer. Behind the storm, Friday looks dry but chilly. Depending on how quickly skies clear and winds calm overnight, some valleys could experience patchy frost or even freeze conditions early Friday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 042722-1771414055691.png">Winter weather alerts have been issued for much of California through Wednesday.<ul><li>2000-2500 feet: up to one foot</li><li>2500-3500 feet: one to two feet</li><li>3500 feet and above: four to eight feet</li><li>wind gusts up to 45-55 mph</li></ul><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 042753-1771414088117.png">Travel could be impossible in some spots with the high snowfall rates and winds. Snowfall totals could surpass 4-5 feet in some areas, like Mammoth Mountain. Resorts around Lake Tahoe could also see 4-5 feet, including I-80 and the Donner Pass. The heavy snowfall rates will make mountain travel impossible at times.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 043643-1771414620330.png">Even the mountains in Southern California will see heavy snowfall developing this afternoon and evening. Travel will be very difficult at times through early Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 043710-1771414642809.png">The weekend brings some improvement. Saturday is shaping up to be the nicest day of the next seven as a weak ridge builds overhead. Expect mostly sunny skies, dry conditions, and a modest warm-up with highs climbing into the 60s.&nbsp;However, the quiet weather will not last long. Another Gulf of Alaska system is forecast to move into the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, bringing renewed moisture and unsettled conditions back into Southern California. While most models still vary on timing and coverage, current projections show a 30–40% chance of rain Sunday through Tuesday. At this point, the system does not appear particularly moisture-rich, and rainfall amounts look relatively light.&nbsp;

Stormy Pattern Continues This Week with More Rain, Mountain Snow Ahead for California

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Kevin Schneider

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More record high temperatures were broken across the northern U.S. on Tuesday. Some highs hit nearly 80° in Nebraska. Meanwhile areas in Texas were in the upper 80s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 051939-1771417181267.png">The ridge of high pressure will continue to push east, bringing the heat east through the week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-17 161437-1771370084805.png">More record high temperatures will be possible through Friday as the heat builds east.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 051534-1771416986243.png">Temperatures to the south will push towards the 80s on Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 051639-1771417012668.png">The warmest temperatures this week will be Thursday across the Southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 051706-1771417037090.png">The southern Plains will also be feeling the anomalous warmth, helping to increase the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/active-weather-weekend-ahead">severe weather threat</a> there over the next couple of days. Confidence is very high in spring-like warmth sticking around as we head deeper into February. The chance for thunderstorms in a more spring-like pattern will continue along with it!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-18 051729-1771417063572.png">Through late February and early March, there is a high confidence that above average temperatures will stick around.

Wildfire Danger: Critical Conditions Today

Stormy Pattern Continues This Week with More Rain, Mountain Snow Ahead for California

Weirdly Warm February on the Plains

Severe Storms Target the Midwest, Ohio Valley on Thursday

Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

Wildfire Danger: Critical Conditions Today

Stormy Pattern Continues This Week with More Rain, Mountain Snow Ahead for California

Weirdly Warm February on the Plains

Severe Storms Target the Midwest, Ohio Valley on Thursday

Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

Wildfire Danger: Critical Conditions Today

Stormy Pattern Continues This Week with More Rain, Mountain Snow Ahead for California

Weirdly Warm February on the Plains