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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After several tornadoes ripped through the Midwest on Monday, another round of severe storms is expected in parts of the Midwest to end the week. A cold front will drop across the region from the Rockies, tapping into warm temperatures and abundant moisture to fuel storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 103838-1785429555962.png"><h1>Outlooks</h1>Thursday's outlook covers a massive area from the Upper-Midwest through the Western Plains (top of page). Damaging winds and hail are expected to be the primary threats, though an isolated tornado can't be ruled out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 103808-1785429562935.png">Storms continue to push east on Friday, bringing tornado potential to areas around Eastern Missouri, along with wind and hail threats.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 103814-1785429568694.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>Numerous, even widespread, storms are expected Thursday along the front, with heavy downpours also posing a threat for flash flooding. By Friday, storms push east into the Mississippi Valley region with heavy rain fairly widespread. People attending Lollapalooza in Chicago should stay aware of the weather and have a place to shelter in mind.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-30 13-49-33-1785441056117.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals could surpass 2-4 inches in some areas, with scattered flash flood potential Thursday and Friday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 103824-1785429575241.png">Get the latest forecast for the Central Region on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in to our feed at :30 past the hour!

Severe Storm Threat Returns to the Midwest

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Tracey Anthony

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Conditions have been really dry out west. We've been tracking major fires across Oregon. With multiple fires burning in the same general region, they form complexes. We have two large ones we're tracking now, with containment improvements underway. Unfortunately new ones are exploding. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2082851208969019614" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2082851208969019614"></div>One of the biggest issues we'll track with these fires will be the smoke. Unfortunately, upper-level winds will send this moderate to even dense smoke across the Pacific Northwest that will impact air quality.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061724-1785428737323.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061724-1784899203154.png">This smoke is expected to lower the air quality considerably across the area through the work week. Air quality alerts are in place over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061922-1785428779063.png">Stay tuned to the forecast here on WeatherNation at :50 past the hour for your full Western U.S. breakdown!

Fire Weather Continues This Week

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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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An area of high pressure continues to bring the heat across the United States! Extreme heat warnings, extreme heat watches, and heat advisories are all in place across the south and west. Find ways to stay cool!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 062513-1785414953145.png">Another hot day is expected across the country with cities like Denver, Atlanta, and Wichita all digging into the 90s. Phoenix will see a high of 112°, which is above average for a city that is already hot! It normally averages 106°. Areas in the Southeast could have heat index values over 110°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 063600-1785414966415.png"><h1>Southern Plains</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 064439-1785415525798.png">High heat index values will be the issue across the South and Southeast. Southern Georgia through central Oklahoma are expected to see the heat index between 105 - 115°.<h1>Southwest</h1>Extreme Heat Warnings and Advisories have been issued for parts of the Desert Southwest into the upcoming weekend. The same area of high pressure responsible for heating up the plains will backtrack into the Great Basin region. That will bring the dangerous heat with it, with many areas warming well above normal getting into Saturday and Sunday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 081730-1785334655961.png">Temperatures for Los Angeles will climb into the 90s, with Las Vegas climbing into the 110s. <h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 063634-1785415002534.png">Northwest</h1>Another round of heat is building in the Northwest as well. Highs in Boise, Billings, and Missoula are expected to top 100° this weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 064109-1785415756437.png">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.

Over 90 Million Under Heat Alerts

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<h1>Pacific</h1>Fausto is now a post-tropical cyclone. The latest advisory was issued Wednesday morning. The only other named storm across either basin is Genevieve in the Eastern Pacific.Genevieve formed on Friday south of Acapulco, Mexico. Chewing up loads of warm water, Genevieve rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane; after moving into cooler waters it started weakening, and is back to a Category 1 hurricane. 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-30 074328-1785419015499.png">This storm could bring some high surf conditions to Southern California beaches this week. Waves heights 5-9 ft. are possible, especially for South-to-Southwest-facing beaches. This high surf will also occur alongside high tides. Coastal Flood Alerts have been added for Southern California into the beginning of the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 041147-1785319918565.png"><h1>Atlantic</h1>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!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-30 07-43-54-1785419058159.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

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Tuesday, heavy rainfall moved across the Northeast in association with an upper-level low. Totals exceeded 6-7 inches for portions of New York and New Jersey.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 081020-1785334228344.png"> An Excessive Rainfall Outlook remains through today as more storms are expected throughout this region. The Weather Prediction Center has placed portions of the New England area, under a MODERATE (level 3 out of 4) risk for flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/overnighsssss-1785371222121.png">Rainfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour, allowing several inches of rain to fall in a short amount of time. This could quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to dangerous flash flooding. Come Thursday, the flash flooding threat is expected to fall off. A MARGINAL (level 1 out of 4) risk remains in place, however. Cities like Boston will be under that threat for flash flooding for two days in a row.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 040556-1785319565288.png"> Rainfall totals through Thursday morning could exceed an additional 5 inches across parts of western Massachusetts. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 163039-1785364260721.png">For the latest forecast and updates, be sure to join us on WeatherNation.

Over 90 Million Under Heat Alerts

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

Severe Storm Threat Returns to the Midwest

Fire Weather Continues This Week

Over 90 Million Under Heat Alerts

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

Severe Storm Threat Returns to the Midwest

Fire Weather Continues This Week

Over 90 Million Under Heat Alerts

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area