WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p><strong>SPOKANE, WA - </strong>On Saturday, August 1st, the Old Trails Fire ignited northwest of Spokane. This fire was fueled by hot, dry conditions and wind gusts up to 45 mph, which helped the fire spread rapidly through grass and brush before reaching neighborhoods. The fire eventually crossed the Spokane River, creating additional challenges for firefighters.</p><h3>Impacts:</h3><ul><li><p>Thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders</p></li><li><p>Approximately 900 structures have been destroyed, and thousands more are threatened</p></li><li><p>Containment remains at 0% for the Spokane Complex</p></li></ul><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2083726162212298857" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2083726162212298857"></div><p>The Governor of Washington, Bob Ferguson, has declared a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-declares-statewide-wildfire-emergency-issues-statewide-burn-ban"><strong>statewide wildfire emergency</strong></a>, including a statewide burn ban due to the current drought conditions, high temperatures, and high winds.</p><h2>Forecast Ahead</h2><p>Forecast winds are expected to ease through tonight, but active fire behavior will likely continue in these areas. The SPC has an elevated risk for fire danger through tonight across the northwestern region, as well as numerous <strong>Red Flag Warnings</strong>.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 161039-1785795044964.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 161102-1785795067692.png">Residents should have a go bag packed and an evacuation plan in place in case evacuation orders expand into their area. If your community is placed under an evacuation order, leave immediately and follow instructions from local emergency officials.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 163825-1785710315388.png"></p><h2>Air Quality</h2><p>Smoke from the ongoing wildfires has prompted air quality alerts across much of the northwestern United States. People in affected areas should limit or avoid outdoor activities while poor air quality persists, especially those with respiratory conditions, older adults, and young children.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 161116-1785795081872.png">Forecast models indicate areas of dense smoke will spill southward. As temperatures cool after sunset, a temperature inversion often forms, trapping smoke close to the ground and leading to deteriorating air quality near the surface.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/fjfjfjfjssssss-1785808939823.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>Residents should expect reduced visibility and degraded air quality through Monday morning before seeing improvements.</p>

Jackie Brown

Spokane Complex Continues to Burn

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>A large area of high pressure continues to bring the heat across the United States.<strong> Extreme heat warnings </strong>and<strong> heat advisories</strong> are all in place across the western U.S. Find ways to stay cool and stay out of the sunshine.  Multiple records were broken on Monday. Pueblo, CO set a new record of 107° today, beating out the old record of 103°, which is  the all-time August record. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/fjsjsjfaaaaa-1785809047265.png">In addition to the heat alerts, the <strong>HeatRisk</strong> is up to major to extreme levels, especially across the southwest. This means that the heat will be dangerous for everyone, even if you're used to the desert heat.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/ttuesdyaaa-1785809183626.png">Temperatures for Los Angeles will climb into the 90s, with Las Vegas climbing into the 110s. Normally this region is known for hot and dry conditions, but with monsoonal moisture in the area, the heat index values will be abnormally high!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 132322-1785698610402.png"></p><h1>Northwest</h1><p>Temperatures across the interior Northwest will spike over the next few days as well, with heat alerts issued for Wyoming and Montana for Sunday. Smoke from nearby wildfires is expected to filter some sunshine out and curb temperatures by a degree or two, but won't keep some from threatening the century mark again.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 044218-1785753755665.png"></p><p>For everyone across the country dealing with the intense heat, practice heat safety, take frequent breaks, and stay hydrated as best as you can in the days upcoming.</p>

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

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<p>FINALLY! A sizeable cooldown, even if it is only here for a day or two. After the mid-to-upper 100's on the High Plains on Sunday, we'd do anything for cooler weather. This front is going to test those theories.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 070832-1785762569757.png">Storms developed this evening and will continue into the overnight hours. These storms will follow along the frontal boundary, and some will bring heavy rain and strong to severe storms.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/FJFJFJFLLSS-1785808619953.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Another threat to keep an eye on is the flooding threat. This front isn't going to be in a hurry, so as it walks southward, it will focus a few rounds of storms somewhere. Right now, that looks to take aim at Iowa and northern Missouri. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 160739-1785794875290.png">As the front drops south, the severe threat will follow it. On Wednesday, a MARGINAL threat for severe storms stretches from eastern Kansas to central Illinois.</p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 071748-1785763133908.png"></h1>

Next Front Drops into the Midwest

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<p>The threat for flooding rain continues across the Northeast today after heavy downpours have already hit the region. Places like Williamsport picked up more than 5 inches of rain, making it the 5th wettest day on record there!</p><p><strong>Flood watches</strong> have been extended to include New York City Monday morning.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 120506-1785780314860.png"></p><h2>Severe Potential</h2><p>With this low that's driving storm chances spinning so much, there will be a tornado threat, especially into this afternoon. Damaging winds could accompany any storm that becomes organized this afternoon as well. The Storm Prediction Center is monitoring areas from New England all the way to New Jersey.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 120536-1785780354657.png"></p><p>Storms in the morning will continue into the afternoon. Thankfully, they'll be out of here by the time many are going to bed tonight.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/08-03_rne bams-1785780453236.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Forecast Rainfall</h2><p>Rainfall rates up to 1-2 inches per hour could overwhelm many spots of the northeast, especially areas that have more concrete and asphalt.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-03 120754-1785780490389.png"></p><p>Be sure to follow along on <strong>WeatherNation</strong> or on <strong>Youtube</strong> - where we're streaming 24/7 with the latest forecasts and weather updates.</p>

Alana Cameron

More Storms for the East Through Monday

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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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<h1>Pacific</h1><p><strong>Genevieve</strong> formed last Friday south of Acapulco, Mexico. Chewing up loads of warm water, Genevieve rapidly intensified into a <strong>Category 5</strong> hurricane; after moving into cooler waters, it started weakening and is back to a tropical storm. Luckily, the storm will stay away from land. However, choppy waters and rough surf can be expected from the coast of Mexico up to Southern California.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 132115-1785698498667.png"></p><h1>Atlantic</h1><p>All remains quiet in the Atlantic for now. Saharan dust is working it's way across the ocean. As waters continue to warm into early fall, stay vigilant! The tropics can create systems quickly this time of year. WeatherNation will always keep you updated with the latest!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/xxxzzz-1785722471047.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p>

Next Front Drops into the Midwest

More Storms for the East Through Monday

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

Spokane Complex Continues to Burn

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

Next Front Drops into the Midwest

More Storms for the East Through Monday

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

Spokane Complex Continues to Burn

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

Next Front Drops into the Midwest

More Storms for the East Through Monday

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific