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 strong cold front raced across the Midwest Thursday producing numerous severe thunderstorms. Tornado warnings were issued but no reports have come in yet to confirm more than a funnel, but gusty winds topped 60 mph while large hail was the main issue.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044015-1774608059978.png">Hail topped the size of tennis balls in Mount Etna, Indiana, with quite a few more significant hail reports over the size of golf balls! Thankfully the hail was no where near the size of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/destructive-tornadoes-hail-rip-through-central-us">record breaking 6"+ hail stone that fell about two weeks ago</a>. <h1>Next Storm System</h1>Cool and drier conditions are expected behind the front, but temperatures and humidity will recover quickly across the east through next week. A large trough is expected to move off the Rockies late in the week, bringing back several ingredients needed for severe storms. Models are still less certain about exact timing and locations for severe weather, but heavy rain and strong storms will be possible. Check back for updates!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044152-1774608384293.png">The CPC is highlighting a large area from the Great Lakes to the Lower Mississippi for heavy rain that could lead to flooding. Severe storms will be possible in the Plains, Midwest, and South as well. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044200-1774608391680.png">While it's still a bit too early to determine locations and threats for this next event, climatology tells us where tornadoes are more likely heading into the month of April. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044209-1774608399915.png">

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

Alana Cameron

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ABOVE - The month of March has been setting record after record, with nearly 100 locations nationwide breaking all-time March records. Each red dot above denotes a city that has tied or broken its all-time March record.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 203348-1774578837064.png">This heatwave will continue to dominate the southwestern portion of the country. Still, through the weekend, the potential for record-breaking temperatures will persist across the Great Plains as well. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 202452-1774578311652.png">Afternoon highs in several locations are continuing into the 100s, shattering daily temperature records and creating a dramatic contrast to the colder conditions that typically dominate early March. In some areas, temperatures are running 20 to 40 degrees above seasonal averages.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 202653-1774578433280.png"><h2>Central U.S.</h2>Friday will be a cooler day for many after record heat, as a cold front continues to advance south. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 202753-1774578547783.png">The milder temperatures will only last temporarily, as temperatures warm quickly back up through the weekend. By Monday, high temperatures will again be running 10° to 20° above-average. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 202933-1774578582891.png">There are signs that the pattern is beginning to change, with higher confidence in above-average temperatures shifting to the southeastern half of the country as we begin April. This would also suggest more of a classic, springtime severe thunderstorm pattern. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 203106-1774578673420.png">

Dave Holder

More Records Obliterated - Heat Soars Into Central U.S.

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It's been unbearably hot across the west for the last week, after warm and dry conditions for a good chunk of the winter season. This has led to drought conditions, with dry vegetation ready to burn.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 132958-1774553409830.png"> As a cold front drops south to end this week, dry and gusty conditions are expected to develop that will lead to a elevated fire risk Friday and Saturday. Fire threat extends from the Southern Plains back into the Upper Midwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774578346064.png">Further updates on the more recent Morrill Fire (the largest in Nebraska state history) have shown increasing containment. However, two additional fires broke out overnight into early Thursday 3/26. The Ashby and Minor fires very quickly grew by tens of thousands of acres very close to the Morrill burn scar. Given the continued fire weather conditions, these fires will likely continue to grow at a rapid pace.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 132905-1774553363826.png">Keep it locked in on WeatherNation, as we continue to update you on these fires and their impacts!

Jesse Kelley

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

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Top Image Credit: National Parks Service<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div>Spring is here and so are the blooms of flowers all across North America. This includes the famous cherry tree bloom around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 080814-1774534143457.png">On Thursday, March 26th, the National Mall announced peak bloom has been reached! The peak is expected to last about a week or so, depending on weather conditions. On March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026, which was only off by about 3 days, an impressive forecast! <h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2>The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm">many types of cherry trees</a> in the area. Peak bloom usually lasts for several days, with the blooms taking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm">about two to three weeks to reach peak</a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 080844-1774534352362.png"><h2>Past Blooms</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"> Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).Visiting the blossoming cherry trees has become a favorite springtime tradition for Americans and tourists alike, dating back to 1912 when Japan gifted the U.S. about 3,000 cherry trees. The cherry trees in Japan have been putting on a show for thousands of years, with the dates of blooms being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/date-of-the-peak-cherry-tree-blossom-in-kyoto">recorded all the way back to the 9th century</a>. The dates for this year's peak blooms in Japan are expected from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/">late March through late April</a> from north to south across the nation.

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated the Hawaiian Islands late last week is on the move. It's being funneled around an area of high pressure, taking aim at the Pacific Northwest. Thankfully, it won't be nearly as heavy or intense as what Hawaii faced.Related: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/flash-flood-emergency-for-oahu-additional-rain-expected-for-hawaii">Kona Low Recap</a>This round looks like it will be a little different than the previous round, which brought only rain to the area. Snow levels with this system will drop a bit, bringing a shot at some wintry impacts to the mountain passes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-24 033707-1774345071882.png">An active Jetstream will bring more energy into the region on Tuesday. That's when you can expect the most widespread rain, with only scattered coverage from Wednesday onward.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-24 03-38-07-1774345113637.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>There will be winds with this latest batch, with some of the mountain peaks expecting the worst of them. Sporadic power outages will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-24 033943-1774345194700.png">Make sure you're staying tuned to WeatherNation for your northwest forecast at :50 past the hour!

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

More Records Obliterated - Heat Soars Into Central U.S.

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

More Records Obliterated - Heat Soars Into Central U.S.

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain