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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The last couple of days we have been tracking heavy rain across parts of the Ohio Valley and Northeast resulting in numerous flood reports. Unfortunately, a slow moving cold front will aid in daily rain chances which could lead to more flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1png-1783648980374.png">Check out this stat below on the city of Philadelphia. Thursday was the first day the city recorded over two inches of rain in the last 837 days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783649134804.png">Along with the flooding risk, severe storms will be possible for Friday through the weekend. Thunderstorms will be scattered so not everyone will pick up rain. However, the slow movement of the front will guide repeated rounds of storms over the same area until some drier air moves in late this weekend into early next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783649319643.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/BARON 5-1783649385986.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Several inches of rain will be possible especially across the Ohio Valley in states like Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. With the grounds very saturated, it will take much to cause more flooding. So remember TURN AROUND AND DON'T DROWN.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783649503181.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783649521082.png">

Stalled Boundary Increases Flood Threat into the Weekend

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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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Hazy skies will be hovering over portions of the Gulf and the Southeastern United States through this weekend, possibly extending into next week! Why so hazy? Saharan dust will be sent flying over the region at times, thick enough to make a difference in the color of the sun and potentially to air quality. Expect some of the thickest dust to hover over Florida this weekend (forecast below).<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/BARON 5-1783635188031.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This is not unusual for this time of year. Outbreaks of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) typically occur in the Atlantic during the summer months as strong westerly waves move off of Africa, sending dust out over the Atlantic. Depending on the speed and intensity of the SAL outbreak, these plumes of dry, dusty air can reach parts of the U.S. at times, even the middle of the country!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-08 083614-1783521420831.png"><h1>Heat</h1>Hot and humid conditions will persist in the Southeast while the Saharan Air moves through. While the SAL does dry-out the mid-levels of the atmosphere, the bottom 5,000 feet is typically unaffected, meaning humidity won't change much even though there may be fewer storms. Record heat occurred in Florida where several cities reach over 95 degrees and more record heat will be possible on Friday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783648749230.png"> These are dangerous heat index values, especially over 110°. Consider avoiding strenuous activity during the middle of the day, take many breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and drink plenty of water!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783635284828.png">Highs could challenge several records in Central Florida in the days ahead. With highs approaching the upper 90s, it will be incredibly hot, especially when humidity is factored in.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783635309968.png">

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

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Kevin Schneider

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A ridge of high pressure is building in our west, bringing the return of warm temperatures. Temperatures soaring past 115 could lead to heat illness toward the middle of the week. Temperatures, even in the Phoenix area, will stay above average for much of the week, peaking on Wednesday. An Extreme Heat Warning covers the area and extends into far southern California, where Heat Advisories are also in place.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/pic5-1783633837576.png">Forecast highs will be running upwards of 10 degrees above average, but no records are in jeopardy.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/pic4-1783634690597.png">Temperatures will stay hot through the next few days. Even though this is not record-breaking heat, it's still dangerous and difficult on your body.Long-term models suggest this might be something to get used to, however. This ridge looks to linger in the area and could strengthen by next weekend. The Climate Prediction Center is highlighting much of the West with above-average temperatures into the middle of July.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-07 161953-1783462799142.png">Some of these forecast highs for cities like Billings, Montana could could close to beating their all-time record highs. If we get above 108 on Sunday, this would be an all time record. The current forecast for Sunday is 108.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783634433548.png">Extreme heat watches, warnings, and advisories have been issued from Utah and Colorado up into the Dakotas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/pic5-1783634182145.png">Heat safety will be a key concern going forward. Be sure to stay hydrated and keep looking in the back seat before locking the car. Here are a few heat safety tips for people impacted by the hot temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783635475547.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/pic5-1783634512392.png">

Patrick Crawford

Warm Weather Returns Out West

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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The Aspen Acres fire continues to burn in Southern Colorado. Evacuations remain in place but containment is increasing around Pueblo.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2074856035924205678" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2074856035924205678"></div>The Babylon and Cottonwood fires burning in Utah are now among some of the largest fires the state has ever seen.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783633931789.png">Numerous additional wildfires continue to burn across Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, which have scorched tens of thousands of acres over the past week. Below is the most recent acreage of the larger fires in Utah and Colorado, along with their containment.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061131-1783603203805.png"><h1>Fire Outlooks</h1>The fire weather outlooks are minimal as we head through the week, but there is a chance for some dry thunderstorms across the Front Range of the Rockies this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061724-1783603442497.png">Heat will build into the weekend so make sure you are doing your part to not be the problem!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043144-1782556311355.png">Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow local evacuation orders, and do their part to help prevent the start and spread of wildfires this summer.

Babylon Fire in UT Surpasses 100,000 Acres, CO Fires Continue to Grow

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Brittany Lockley

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Colorado State University researchers have lowered their outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season as atmospheric conditions become increasingly favorable for the development of El Niño, a climate pattern that typically suppresses tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin.&nbsp;The updated forecast now projects&nbsp;nine named storms,&nbsp;four hurricanes, and&nbsp;one major hurricane&nbsp;of Category 3 strength or higher. While those numbers are below the long-term seasonal average, the outlook reflects activity across the entire Atlantic Basin. It does not indicate where storms may eventually track or make landfall.&nbsp;The expected increase in El Niño is one of the primary reasons behind the reduced forecast. During El Niño events, stronger-than-normal upper-level winds spread across the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, increasing vertical wind shear. This hostile environment can disrupt the structure of developing tropical systems by separating thunderstorms from their low-level circulation, making it more difficult for storms to strengthen into hurricanes.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-08 095127-1783525916256.png">Despite the anticipated increase in wind shear, ocean temperatures across parts of the Atlantic remain warmer than average. Warm water serves as the fuel source for tropical cyclones, meaning any storm that develops in a favorable pocket of lower wind shear could still intensify. How these competing factors evolve during the peak of hurricane season will play a major role in determining the basin’s overall activity.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-08 095236-1783525964091.png">The climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season occurs from mid-August through October, when sea surface temperatures are at their warmest and atmospheric conditions are generally most supportive of tropical development. Although seasonal forecasts help estimate how active a season may be, they cannot predict where individual storms will form or who may be impacted.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-08 095047-1783525931294.png">Residents along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic coastline need to prepare now rather than focus solely on the seasonal numbers. History has shown that even quieter hurricane seasons can produce devastating landfalls if a single storm reaches a populated coastline.&nbsp;

Warm Weather Returns Out West

Babylon Fire in UT Surpasses 100,000 Acres, CO Fires Continue to Grow

Colorado State University Scales Back 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

Stalled Boundary Increases Flood Threat into the Weekend

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

Warm Weather Returns Out West

Babylon Fire in UT Surpasses 100,000 Acres, CO Fires Continue to Grow

Colorado State University Scales Back 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

Stalled Boundary Increases Flood Threat into the Weekend

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat Impact the Southeast

Warm Weather Returns Out West

Babylon Fire in UT Surpasses 100,000 Acres, CO Fires Continue to Grow

Colorado State University Scales Back 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast