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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A stormy pattern in the Plains states looks to persist through Mother's Day Weekend before high pressure takes over the bring hot and dry conditions to the region next week. For now, a series of cold fronts will continue to work south from Canada, tapping into warm and humid air to help triggered scattered thunderstorms. The front on Friday triggered major hail storms across portions of Oklahoma, with some stones over the size of baseballs! In Yukon, the hail was so thick it looked like heavy snow!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/VON_050826_RSC_YUKON, OK_LOOKS LIKE A SNOW PILE_FB_MS_E050826-1778292944564.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Weekend Outlooks</h1>Saturday's risk will be focused in Oklahoma some as another cold front comes into the Plains. Hail is a big concern once again, with stoens over the size of golf balls possible. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 042148-1778322262388.png">A strong tornado or two will also be possible, primarily for areas west of I-35.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 042158-1778322294111.png">By Sunday, the front drops farther south into Central Texas. An elevates risk for severe storms is expected for areas in yellow and orange, where scattered to numerous severe storms are possible. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 042203-1778322269834.png">Intense winds and massive hail will be possible on Sunday, and are expected to be the most widespread hazards. Some gusts could top hurricane strength (74+ mph) and hail stones could be bigger than golf balls (2"+ diameter). Prepare your property ahead of time for these storms!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 042213-1778322304701.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>Strong storms are more likely to pop-up in the mid-to-late afternoon hours as the cold front taps into daytime (diurnal) heating, leading to a moderately unstable airmass. Storms could persist late into the evening, with some overnight storms not out of the question. On Saturday, a new round of storms looks to pop-up in the late morning/early afternoon before expanding and dropping south through the evening. On Monday, isolated severe storms may be possible early for parts of Louisiana. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-09 04-22-35-1778322424802.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We are anticipating some heavy rain with the repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Models are forecasting up to 1-3" of rain with some isolated heavier totals before drier air arrives on Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 042219-1778322326513.png">

Severe Storm Threat Increasing for the Southern Plains

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Brittany Lockley

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A widespread stretch of wet weather is expected to impact millions of people across the southern and eastern United States through Mother’s Day weekend, bringing the threat of flooding rain and strong thunderstorms from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.&nbsp;In the past 24 hours, Louisiana saw over 5 inches of rainfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 050200-1778324536913.jpg"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2052184135439901068" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2052184135439901068"></div><h3>WHAT TO EXPECT:</h3>A slow-moving frontal boundary&nbsp;will tap into deep Gulf moisture, fueling repeated rounds of heavy rain across parts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Some communities could see several inches of rainfall in a short amount of time, increasing the risk for flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas where drainage issues can quickly develop.&nbsp;Saturday, this front will linger towards the Gulf Coast, presenting a Slight (level 2 out of 4) risk for flash flooding. This includes cities like Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Gulfport, MS.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 043740-1778323078779.png">By the time we hit the weekend, we can see totals toppling over 3-4" across the South.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 044301-1778323402496.png">The flood threat is expected to continue into the weekend as the system gradually pushes eastward. Cities across the Southeast may deal with periods of torrential rain and thunderstorms on Mother’s Day, while parts of the Northeast could also see soaking rainfall and travel delays. The storms may repeatedly move over the same locations, which can rapidly overwhelm creeks, roads, and drainage systems.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-09 04-39-34-1778323226400.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The next three days this heavy rainfall comes with the threat of severe weather.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 050823-1778324931768.jpg">Considering how dry things have been across the south, all of this rainfall will benefit. 98.9 % of the Southeast is in a moderate to exceptional drought.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-09 044036-1778323255115.png">Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to stay weather-aware throughout the weekend and monitor forecasts closely for possible flash flood watches and warnings.&nbsp;Stay tuned to WeatherNation, as we track all this rainfall into the end of the work week!

Flood Threat Expands Across Southeast for Mother’s Day Weekend

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Ready for hurricane 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 Niño this summer. Well, the warm water created in the Eastern/Central Pacific by El Niño can lead to supercharged hurricane seasons in those regions.<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 systems 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 roughly 20 named storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-02 081157-1777731386253.png">El Niño typically increases wind shear in the Atlantic, which is a primary reason why some forecasts are calling for a slightly less active season. The Atlantic averages 14 names storms a season but, despite the El Niño, the forecast is barely below average with 13 names storms. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-08 065820-1778245110818.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">

The Countdown to Hurricane Season

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<h1>Wednesday</h1>A cyclic supercell produced a damaging tornado across a large swath of southwestern Mississippi on Wednesday afternoon. The tornado caused damaged to homes in several towns, including Purvis and Brookhaven. WeatherNation field correspondent Brandon Clement was in the town of Brookhaven shortly after the tornado went through, showing significant damage to one neighborhood. The Brookhaven tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF-3, but surveys are expected to be finalized on Friday so check back for the final report.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2052365331382108233" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2052365331382108233"></div>Two supercells raced across Southern Mississippi Wednesday. These cells both took on the classic supercell appearance at times, including showcasing hook echoes and a donut signature. Both cells produced damaging tornadoes.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-07 07-07-38-1778159496391.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Friday- Sunday</h1>The severe weather risk will persist along the Gulf coast through at least Sunday as multiple fronts move across the region and stall. Wind and hail are expected to be the primary threats, but a tornado or two will be possible.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/BARON 5-1778292623471.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Storms look to have the greatest severe weather potential in the afternoon and evening hours. However, some strong storms could linger into the overnight hours through the Mother's Day weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/BARON 5-1778292777795.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Along with the severe weather chances, heavy rain is likely across the Deep South. The forecast is calling for 2-4" of rain with some locally higher amounts up to 7". Flash flooding is possible as rainfall rates will be quite high, over 2" per hour at times. We are slowly trying to put a dent in the drought for the South, as it will take more consistent rains over the next few months to make some significant changes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1778292685768.png">

Jesse Kelley

Tornadoes Cause Damage in Mississippi, Strong Storms Linger in the South

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Tracey Anthony

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WEST - Denver just received 5.8" of snowfall from May 5-6 and is now in store for well-above-average temperatures heading into early next week. In fact, the forecast high a week later is in the upper 80s for the Mile High City!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-06 164523-1778107597662.png">So, what’s causing this rapid warming trend? An upper-level ridge. As the ridge moves onshore, temperatures will begin to climb heading into the weekend. Dozens of records are expected to fall starting on Mother’s Day and continuing into next week. Each city represented by a pink dot is a location where record highs could be broken or tied.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-03-29 060538-1778246141677.png">Temperatures on Sunday for cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix are expected to soar into the triple digits, which is around 15 degrees above average for this time of year. Excessive Heat Warnings and Advisories have been issued into early next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1778292474995.png">Mother's Day could be a very hot one across the Desert Southwest. Record highs are likely in cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-06 164307-1778107915078.png">The heat continues into the long-range forecast as well, with the Climate Prediction Center showing high confidence that the Southwest will remain above average through the middle of May. Notice how by mid-May the dome of heat will shift East into the Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/pic5-1778279659519.png">For more details on just how hot your Southwestern city could get, be sure to join us at 50 past the hour for more in your Western Regional Forecast.

The Countdown to Hurricane Season

Tornadoes Cause Damage in Mississippi, Strong Storms Linger in the South

Weekend Warm-up for the Southwest

Severe Storm Threat Increasing for the Southern Plains

Flood Threat Expands Across Southeast for Mother’s Day Weekend

The Countdown to Hurricane Season

Tornadoes Cause Damage in Mississippi, Strong Storms Linger in the South

Weekend Warm-up for the Southwest

Severe Storm Threat Increasing for the Southern Plains

Flood Threat Expands Across Southeast for Mother’s Day Weekend

The Countdown to Hurricane Season

Tornadoes Cause Damage in Mississippi, Strong Storms Linger in the South

Weekend Warm-up for the Southwest