WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/we1-1773228612033.png"></p><p>After the Storm Prediction Center upgraded parts of Illinois and Indiana to a Moderate (Level 4/5) Risk on Tuesday, destructive severe storms ripped through the heart of the country. A large supercell on the ground for up to 45 minutes produce a large and dangerous tornado in the town of Kankakee, IL. Our field crews were on the ground to capture it as it happened:</p><p></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031867768505598421" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031867768505598421"></div><p>This tornado, causing loads of damage in it's wake. First responders worked tirelessly, picking up debris and searching for survivors in the aftermath. Loads of footage came out of this tornado, many of them heartbreaking to see.</p><p></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031730530631434633" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031730530631434633?s=20"></div><p>A highly unstable atmosphere lead to strong updrafts creating large hail with severe storms. Hail stones the size of softballs and larger were reported in Texas and Illinois.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 082436-1773239081623.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/AAA_WEB5-1773228556681.png"></p><p>A hailstone from the Kankakee, IL supercell looks likely to be state records, and could challenge national records for biggest hail. The photo posted by a Kankakee resident looks to be upwards of 7-8 inches in diameter! The stone will have to be examined to determine if it breaks the record set by hail from Vivian, South Dakota from 2010 that measured 8 inches.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 115507-1773251922303.png"></p><p>Severe Storms is still expected to impact millions today as this system works it's way east. Read the latest details here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/another-round-of-severe-weather-likely-next-week">Severe Threat Wednesday</a></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031525994843214069" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031525994843214069"></div>

Tracey Anthony

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.

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<p><em>Top Image Credit: National Parks Service</em></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div><p>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.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png"></p><p>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!</p><h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2><p>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"><strong><u>many types of cherry trees</u></strong></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"><strong><u>about two to three weeks to reach peak</u></strong></a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.</p><h2>Past Blooms</h2><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"><br>Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).</p><p>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"><strong><u>recorded all the way back to the 9th century</u></strong></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/"><strong><u>late March through late April</u></strong></a> from north to south across the nation.</p>

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released For 2026

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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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<p>On the heels of an active opening week to Meteorological Spring, another threat of severe weather will be in the cards yet again for Wednesday. With plenty of unstable air to tap into, as this system chugs East, the threat for severe weather persists. The Storm Prediction center has issued a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast.</p><p></p><p>Hail is another big concern. More widespread, 1" in diameter hail is possible, but many locations could also encounter 2" in diameter hailstones Tuesday. Some portions of Texas and Illinois have already seen hailstones over 3.5", which is in between the size of a softball and teacup.</p><p><em>RELATED ARTICLE: </em><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/destructive-tornadoes-hail-rip-through-central-us"><strong><em>Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.</em></strong></a></p><p>A <strong>SLIGHT</strong> (level 2 out of 5) risk remains in place following the cold front through tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282080141.png"></p><p>During the overnight, a tornado risk remains in place especially across the Gulf Coast. Have a few ways to receive alerts to wake you up if warnings are issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282254705.png"></p><p></p><p>The threat for severe weather continues Thursday morning as the squall line moves through the Carolinas and Georgia. The biggest threat will be damaging winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282360616.png"></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/New Baron Video 3-1773282503903.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>Tune in to WeatherNation live for the very latest.</p>

Jesse Kelley

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

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Patrick Crawford has always been a huge weather buff! He grew up in Plano, Texas, and it was there that he experienced what Mother Nature was capable of doing. He would always turn on the television to see what local meteorologists were saying about the weather. That's when he realized he wanted to be a meteorologist.

Patrick graduated from Northern Illinois University (’04) with a degree in Meteorology and a double minor in Mathematics and Geography. Broadcast Meteorology has been great to him and he has been able to work in television markets all across the country. Some of his stops have included New Orleans, Green Bay and even Yuma, Arizona. He is so excited to be part of the WeatherNation team.

He has been awarded the prestigious CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) weather seal from the American Meteorological Society.

Feel free to catch up with Patrick Crawford on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://twitter.com/MeteorologistPC">Twitter</a> pages.

Patrick Crawford

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<p>A strong ridge of high pressure building over the Western U.S. will bring warm, dry, and windy weather conditions. This will set up a strong fire weather risk for the next few days. Outdoor activities that could spark or ignite should be avoided over the next few days. Here is a look at the forecast.</p><h1>Fire Weather Alerts<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282944542.png"></h1><h1>FIRE OUTLOOK</h1><h3>THURSDAY</h3><p>The fire weather outlook for Thursday shows strong intensity. Critical outlooks have been issued for parts of Nebraska and Colorado. Also, down to New Mexico and Texas, we could see critical fire conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282977324.png"></p><p>Fire weather conditions should begin to improve this weekend. It is always important to know some tips on how to prevent fires, so here are some tips.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/pic4-1773244322444.png"></p>

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Wednesday and Thursday

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>The relentless weather is going to continue in the heartland this week. However, instead of severe storms, a few fast-moving systems look to stir up trouble late this week. We're going to the other end of the spectrum, with snow and winds returning. Winter alerts are now issued for parts of the Canadian border from North Dakota to the UP of Michigan.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282797509.png"></p><h1>THURSDAY-FRIDAY</h1><p>A potent shortwave trough will dive south out of Canada fairly quickly on Thursday. That looks to fire up a windy area of low pressure, cutting into the Great Lakes by Friday. Winds will pick up throughout the day on Thursday, with some gusts approaching 70 mph.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 092745-1773242898649.png">Winds plus snow is not a fun recipe to drive in. Expect blowing snow leading to whiteout conditions, possibly teetering on blizzard conditions.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 09-32-15-1773243168701.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>THIS WEEKEND</h1><p>Another day, another system. This one follows in the footsteps of the previous one. That will funnel EVEN MORE cold air southward.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 093339-1773243234730.png">Even more snow and winds will greet us getting into the weekend. By the time Monday rolls around, many locations could be looking at another few inches of snow on the ground!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 09-35-11-1773243337525.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Wednesday and Thursday

Old Man Winter Roars in This Week

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released For 2026

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Wednesday and Thursday

Old Man Winter Roars in This Week

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released For 2026

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Wednesday and Thursday

Old Man Winter Roars in This Week