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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CHICAGO, IL - Damaging storms moved through the Chicago area Wednesday, producing winds of up to 70-80 mph. Gusts all around the Midwest were causing issues on Wednesday from Iowa through Michigan. Another intense storm system has developed and will move through the region today (Thursday).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-10 175301-1781135698638.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2064820223862321377" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2064820223862321377"></div><h2>Severe Threat</h2>The Storm Prediction Center has parts of the Upper and Lower Midwest under an MODERATE (level 4 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms. This is primarily for WIND and TORNADOES. This includes widespread hurricane force wind gusts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 072902-1781184666075.png">Numerous tornadoes are expected, including the potential for intense tornadoes (EF2-3+) meaning winds in these storms could top 130 mph!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 072912-1781184636391.png">An MCS, or big cluster of thunderstorms, has been moving across Iowa through the morning hours with intense winds and a few tornadoes. As that features progresses, it is expected to intensify and bring the elevated threats mentioned. Large hail is possible in these storms as well.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-11 07-29-52-1781184619151.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>On Friday, storms move east into the northeast. As we heat up temperatures throughout the day and the cold front pushes in, thunderstorms will head closer to the I-95 corridor. The timing looks to favor the evening commute for I-95 thunderstorms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/friday sevv-1781141326760.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/06-10_rne friday-1781137111079.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Flooding Threat</h2>In addition to the severe weather risk, there is a slight risk of flash flooding on multiple days. Thunderstorms are expected to produce heavy downpours, and some locations could see multiple rounds of rain over the same areas. This could quickly lead to flooded roadways, overflowing creeks, and dangerous travel conditions, especially in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-10 152620-1781126787090.png">Stay alert and keep a close eye on forecast updates. With storms expected to intensify quickly, having multiple ways to receive watches and warnings will be important. Drivers are also reminded to avoid traveling through flooded roads, as just a small amount of moving water can be enough to sweep away a vehicle!

Brittany Lockley

Winds Slam Chicago Wednesday, Severe Storms Return Thursday

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Tracey Anthony

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<h2 style="text-align: center">WATCHING THE TROPICS</h2><h1>Atlantic</h1>The first disturbance out into the Atlantic was identified on Wednesday. In the latest outlook from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), it has a rather low chance of development. A broad low-pressure area is expected to develop over the Bay of Campeche on Friday, associated with a westward-moving tropical wave currently over Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Environmental conditions appear only marginally favorable for development before the system is forecast to move inland across eastern Mexico late Saturday or Sunday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-11 09-33-19-1781185507194.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h3>Eastern Pacific Becomes Focus of Early Hurricane Season Activity:</h3>While the Atlantic Basin remains quiet to start the 2026 hurricane season, forecasters are closely monitoring growing activity across the Eastern Pacific. The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Boris, and Tropical Depression Three-E, making the Pacific the most active tropical basin in the Northern Hemisphere right now. (See Above Image)<h3>Amanda Becomes First Named Storm of the Season:&nbsp;</h3>Tropical Storm Amanda formed on Wednesday, becoming the first named storm of the 2026 Eastern Pacific hurricane season.<h3>Cristina</h3>Boris, the second named storm of the Eastern Pacific, is now post-tropical. Cristina formed Monday morning and has weakened to a remnant low. .<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1781185591301.png">Signs Point to an Active Eastern Pacific Season:The early burst of activity is occurring as sea surface temperatures across parts of the Eastern Pacific remain warmer than average. Combined with the development of El Niño conditions, forecasters expect the basin to remain favorable for tropical cyclone formation through much of the season. NOAA’s seasonal outlook calls for an above-average Eastern Pacific hurricane season, with between 15 and 22 named storms possible. Several of those storms could reach hurricane strength, including multiple major hurricanes. &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-05 073331-1780666421832.png">Meanwhile, the Atlantic Basin is off to a slow start, with dry air associated with Saharan dust helping suppress tropical development across much of the region. While quiet conditions are expected to continue in the near term, the Eastern Pacific is already showing signs that the 2026 tropical season could be an active one. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Stay With WeatherNation This Hurricane Season:</h3>Whether storms threaten land or remain over open waters, WeatherNation is your destination for around-the-clock tropical coverage. Our meteorologists track every tropical wave, depression, storm, and hurricane with the latest forecast models, expert analysis, and live updates whenever conditions warrant.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a1C9h87MYTY" start="0"></iframe></div>

First Atlantic Disturbance of the Season

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A surge of tropical moisture streaming north from the Gulf is expected to bring an increased risk of severe thunderstorms and flooding across parts of the central and southern United States through the weekend and into next week. The combination of hot temperatures, humid air, and a slow-moving weather pattern will create favorable conditions for repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms, some of which could become severe.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 101210-1781194361761.jpg">The threat for strong to severe storms is expected to develop across portions of the Plains, Midwest and South. Storms may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and a few tornadoes, especially during the afternoon and evening hours when instability is at its peak. The abundant moisture in the atmosphere will provide plenty of fuel for storm development.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-11 10-14-19-1781194496239.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>While severe weather is a concern, flooding could become the more significant and widespread threat. Slow-moving storms and repeated rounds of heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding, particularly in areas that have already received recent rain. Rainfall rates could be intense at times, causing water to quickly accumulate on roads, in low-lying areas and near small streams and creeks.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-11 10-16-13-1781194600390.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The unsettled weather pattern is expected to persist into the middle of next week as a stalled frontal boundary remains in place across parts of the region. This setup could allow thunderstorms to repeatedly move over the same locations, increasing the potential for several inches of rain to fall in a relatively short period of time.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 101917-1781195298804.jpg">Residents across the central and southern U.S. are encouraged to stay weather aware in the coming days, especially in flood-prone areas. With both severe storms and heavy rainfall possible, conditions could change quickly, and additional watches and warnings may be issued as the event unfolds.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-11 10-29-03-1781195373161.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Tune into WeatherNation TV on youtube for the lastest!<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a1C9h87MYTY" start="0"></iframe></div>

Tropical Moisture to Raise Flooding and Severe Concerns Across Central and Southern U.S.

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El Niño has arrived! It didn't take long for La Niña conditions this spring to quickly be replaced in the equatorial Pacific over the last few months. A big surge of warm water has now reached the surface after traveling in deeper waters for months, taking sea surface temperatures up to the level needed for an El Niño designation.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2065059465326444738" src="https://x.com/NOAAComms/status/2065059465326444738"></div> El Niño is expected to continue for the foreseeable future (below), and will likely to continue to strengthen through the summer into fall and possibly winter (top of page). You've probably heard the term "super" El Niño mentioned - which is the same as a "very strong" El Niño in the graphic above. "Super" El Niño isn't a term officially recognized, but seeing temperatures that warm in the Pacific typically mean bigger impacts to global weather patterns, including hurricane season and the winter forecast in the United States. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 102033-1781194881870.png">A strong or very strong El Niño is different than a weak or moderate El Niño in terms of impacts. A very strong El Niño typically leads to a tighter and stronger sub-tropical jet, which increases wind shear in the Atlantic. If a moderate El Niño is in place through hurricane season, it's impacts in the Atlantic could be less pronounced. Regardless, WeatherNation will be monitoring the latest in the tropics and will bring you updates all season long.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 102059-1781195492270.png">To read the full release from NOAA about El Niño emerging - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://t.co/lS3v4K6TMC">click here!</a>

El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

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Dave Holder

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While the heat builds into the Northeast, rounds of thunderstorms are possible through the rest of the week. Hot and humid afternoons, with daytime highs reaching temperatures 15°+ above-average, will help to fuel the severe thunderstorm potential. Heat Advisories are in place across portions of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, as well as the Northeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062044-1781187322024.png">Several boundaries, including a surface trough and cold front, will be the focus for thunderstorm development, particularly during the afternoon hours when the atmosphere reaches peak instability. A slight risk is in effect for Thursday; this includes New York City down through Richmond.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-10 183611-1781138221879.png">A level 2 slight Risk has been highlighted for Friday. The cold front from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-flash-flooding-threaten-millions-across-the-plains-this-weekend">major, Midwest storms</a> will slam through the area Friday afternoon. This includes the New York City area and down the I-95 corridor through Richmond, VA. The risk area extends west into the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-10 183615-1781138231313.png">Timing out these storms on Thursday, severe weather is likely around the evening drive and then as we head into Friday our next front moves into the area.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/bamsne611-1781188963583.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Yet ANOTHER cold front is expected to move through the region over the weekend. After a brief break with a surface high pressure on Saturday, another low will traverse the region Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center is already highlighting the area from Albany, NY through much of Pennsylvania, down through the DelMarVa into Richmond, VA. Sound familiar? It's easy to get storm fatigue when multi-day threats continue. Stay alert, stay ready, and stay with WeatherNation for details on your forecast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-11 084349-1781189038588.png">

Tropical Moisture to Raise Flooding and Severe Concerns Across Central and Southern U.S.

El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

Hot and Stormy in the Northeast

Winds Slam Chicago Wednesday, Severe Storms Return Thursday

First Atlantic Disturbance of the Season

Tropical Moisture to Raise Flooding and Severe Concerns Across Central and Southern U.S.

El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

Hot and Stormy in the Northeast

Winds Slam Chicago Wednesday, Severe Storms Return Thursday

First Atlantic Disturbance of the Season

Tropical Moisture to Raise Flooding and Severe Concerns Across Central and Southern U.S.

El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

Hot and Stormy in the Northeast