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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Several rounds of severe storms rocked the Lone Star state several times earlier this week, producing giant, 5-inch diameter hail and tornadoes! In addition, earlier on Friday, a wind gust of 119mph rocked the Victoria, TX area!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/VON_050126_RSC_POINT COMFORT, TX_2 OF 2 DURING VERY STRONG STORMS FRIDAY_FB_MS_E050126_1-1777688387543.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video> <h2>Severe Storm Outlooks</h2>The surface low continues to strengthen, increasing southerly flow and strengthening dynamics to create severe storms. Scattered severe storms producing damaging winds are possible Saturday, while lower risks for hail and tornadoes will also be present.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 3-1777754010732.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 4-1777754017092.jpg"><h1>Rainfall &amp; Forecast</h1>The severe threat across Central Florida should continue into the evening hours before losing some steam. By Sunday, the front settles over South Florida with additional scattered showers and storms, with flood potential for areas like Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Bad news for F1 fans.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/BARON 5-1777749428688.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Through Monday, a widespread 1-2 inches of rain will be possible but some heavier downpours in South Florida will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777749485713.png">With the potential combination of training storms and heavy rainfall rates, the flooding concern is elevated. The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted areas on Sunday with flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777749524594.png">There are many areas, especially across the southeast, that desperately need more rainfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 133607-1777404986134.png">

Patrick Crawford

Storms Leave Texas, Move Through the Southeast

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Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

Jesse Kelley

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<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777750618936.png">The last week of April was pretty stormy for the South. As we turn the page into the first full week of May, severe weather is back in the cards for parts of the Southern Plains and Deep South. Severe weather chances will ramp up Tuesday and Wednesday. We are still a bit too far out in advance to see what the main threats will be but stay tuned to further forecasts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777750295853.png">Along with the severe weather chances, heavy rain will be likely across the Ohio Valley. The forecast is calling for 2-4" of rain by Thursday and some flooding could be possible with the repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms. We are slowly trying to put a dent in the drought for the South will it take more consistent rains over the next few months to make some significant changes. The long term outlook stays slightly above average in the next 6-10 days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777750394631.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777750569990.png">

Another Round of Severe Weather for the South

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Portions of the Midwest just wrapped up their rainiest April on record and the active pattern looks to continue to start the month of May. Several cold fronts are expected to take aim at the middle of the country this week after a brief warm up Sunday into Monday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 053542-1777721889478.png">Those clashing fronts could tap into limited moisture to lead to a few severe storms on Sunday. By Monday, moisture is much more plentiful with a better chance for strong and severe storms.<h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 052338-1777721897763.png">Severe Storm Outlooks</h2>Isolated severe storms are possible Sunday across Missouri and Illinois, though our forecast models like portions of Nebraska for isolated severe storms as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 052345-1777721906233.png">By Monday, the threat expands as showers become more widespread. Isolated to scattered severe storms are possible from eastern Kansas through Ohio.<h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 052350-1777721918798.png">Timing &amp; Rainfall</h2>A few passing showers will move across the Midwest late Saturday into Sunday morning. Severe storm potential looks to hold off until the late afternoon and evening hours on Sunday for the risk area (Missouri &amp; Illinois), as well as in Central Nebraska. By Monday, scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected, with some storms reaching severe weather criteria by the afternoon hours. Some of these strong storms may persist overnight as the front continues to work its way south and east.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-02 05-36-24-1777721933263.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Pockets of 1-3 inches of rain are possible, meaning flash flooding is possible but not likely outside of the heaviest downpours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 052355-1777721926941.png">Get the latest forecast for the Central region anytime with the WeatherNation app, or at :30 past the hour in our broadcast.

Cold Fronts Could Bring the Midwest More Severe Weather

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Ready for hurricane season? The Climate Prediction Center is highlighting a region in the Eastern Pacific basin for potential tropical development during the first week of the season. As a reminder, waters here tend to warm faster than in the Atlantic, thus, the season starts about two weeks earlier in the Eastern Pacific. If a storm were to form and reach tropical storm status, it would be named Amanda. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 080308-1777731407202.png">Ocean heat content has been rapidly increasing in the Eastern Pacific this Spring, which is not surprising. You might've heard about the potential for a "super" El Niño this summer, well, the warm water created in the Eastern/Central Pacific by El Niño can lead to supercharged hurricane seasons in the Eastern and Central Pacific. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 080401-1777731353504.png">Global circulations influenced by El Niño tend to create less disruptive wind shear in the Eastern Pacific as well. Weak upper-level winds combined with warm waters tend to lead to many tropical systems. At the same time, wind shear tends to increase in the Caribbean during these events, leading to a tougher environment for tropical system to form and survive.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 080343-1777731377186.png">Last season was quite active in the Eastern Pacific, with 20 named storms and 5 major hurricanes. The Mexican National Meteorological Service issued an early outlook for the 2026 season in April, calling for another active year with near 20 named storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 081157-1777731386253.png">CSU's outlook for the Atlantic is quite a bit lower in terms of activity, calling for a slightly below average season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 080411-1777731397553.png">We're going to get you ready for hurricane season at the beginning of June. Be sure to tune in for updated forecasts, information, and tips to prepare!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 083105-1777732279156.png">

Potential for Tropical Development Mid-May in the Eastern Pacific

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While the eastern United States is under upper-level troughing, bringing frost and freeze conditions, the Northwest will be warm this weekend. High pressure is building in for the next few days, especially for the Pacific Northwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-01 173209-1777678338792.png">The warmest days in the forecast period will be this weekend. Heat Advisories have been issued for parts of the Portland metro with daytime highs in the lower 90s. Sunday record highs could fall for multiple cities in both Washington and Oregon. Have ways to stay hydrated and check on the vulnerable people who may not have ways of adequate cooling!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 061019-1777723944350.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 2-1777668022076.jpg">Temperatures are expected to cool down a little but remain above average into next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1777749727222.png">

Cold Fronts Could Bring the Midwest More Severe Weather

Potential for Tropical Development Mid-May in the Eastern Pacific

Record Heat for the Northwest

Storms Leave Texas, Move Through the Southeast

Another Round of Severe Weather for the South

Cold Fronts Could Bring the Midwest More Severe Weather

Potential for Tropical Development Mid-May in the Eastern Pacific

Record Heat for the Northwest

Storms Leave Texas, Move Through the Southeast

Another Round of Severe Weather for the South

Cold Fronts Could Bring the Midwest More Severe Weather

Potential for Tropical Development Mid-May in the Eastern Pacific

Record Heat for the Northwest