Kevin Schneider

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<p><strong>WHAT TO EXPECT </strong></p><p>A severe weather threat is taking shape across the southern Plains this week as a stalled boundary, a sharpening dryline, and an upper-level disturbance come together over a record-breaking warm and increasingly humid central airmass.</p><h2>OUTLOOK</h2><p>An <strong>ENHANCED </strong>risk has been issued through the overnight hours.  Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes will be possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/fjfjfjss-1775063569605.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/wind s-1775063505900.png"></p><h2>TIMING</h2><p>Storms continue to fire along a dryline, producing gusty winds and large hail. These storms will continue to move to the east overnight, so have multiple ways to get alerts. Things will  wind down midday Thursday. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/FORECASSSTTTTTTT-1775091363575.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p></p>

Rob Bradley

Severe Threat Wednesday in the Plains

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<p><strong>ABOVE - </strong>The month of March has been setting record after record, with nearly 100 locations nationwide breaking <strong>all-time March records</strong>. Each red dot above denotes a city that has tied or broken its all-time March record.</p><h1>Heat Continues</h1><p>The ridge of high pressure has slid east, and plenty of records fell again, this time in the eastern third of the country. Both New York City and Philadelphia felt their daily record highs on Wednesday. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 171907-1775085571771.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 171850-1775085571776.png"></p><p></p><p>We'll threaten records for a few more days. And then things change...</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/fjfjfjdss-1775063897988.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>Temperatures are above average on Friday and Saturday, but dip back down to the 40s on Sunday for cities like Chicago and Cleveland.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/thsjsjfff-1775009380824.png"></p><p>Above-average temperatures will remain in place in the south on Friday, and will be near average to below average after this weekend's system pushes through. </p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/friday through sattttt-1775009391137.png"></p><p></p>

Jackie Brown

April Brings Cooler Temperatures

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<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">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></span></p>

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2038956981763903857" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2038956981763903857"></div><p>Several waves of low pressure will traverse the northern tier of the country through the end of this week, bringing plenty of lift and clashing temperatures to set the stage for heavy rain and severe storms.</p><h1>Severe Weather Outlooks</h1><p>Through tonight, the SPC has two regions of <strong>SLIGHT</strong> risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms. Wind is the primary risk, but all hazards (hail &amp; tornadoes) are also possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 142642-1775075209802.png">A trailing storm system will bring another threat back to the Great Lakes on Thursday, with an elevated risk around Lake Michigan and the northern Mississippi River Valley. Wind is expected to be the most widespread hazard, but hail and tornadoes are possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 133756-1775075310390.png">The tornado potential will be elevated around Lake Michigan on Thursday, with even a few strong tornadoes possible (hatched area). Have multiple ways to get tornado alerts and review your tornado safety plan - have a safe location at work and at home.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 065253-1775047985918.png"></p><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><h2>Wednesday</h2><p>Storms developed Wednesday afternoon, producing damaging winds, hail, and flooding. Things should taper off through the overnight hours due to loss of energy. Expect more storms to develop on Thursday. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/NE STORMSSSSS-1775091991290.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h2>Thursday</h2><p>Thursday's storms could be feisty a bit earlier in the day, as leftover energy from Wednesday's storms moves north overnight. After the early morning sizzle, storms take a break while energy rebuilds ahead of the next front. As the cold front moves through during the afternoon, a new round of storms blooms ahead of the cold front while racing to the northeast. Storms will gradually lose energy through the overnight hours.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-01 07-12-01-1775049159182.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Heavy rain could lead to flooding, with 1-3 inches possible in heavier downpours. Isolated flash flooding is possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-31 152917-1774992562417.png">Tune into WeatherNation for the latest on these storms.</p>

Several Severe Storm Chances For the Midwest, East Coast

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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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<p>While much of the country, and in particular the Southwest, baked underneath a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/record-heat-rolls-east-this-week"><strong><em>historic heatwave</em></strong></a> in March, a shift in the jet stream has brought cooler and wetter weather back to the area.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2038436047768670271" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2038436047768670271"></div><p></p><h1>Alerts</h1><p>Winter alerts are in effect across the higher elevations of Utah and Colorado. Some areas are expecting a foot of snowfall, with isolated locations seeing higher totals. Winds will also be gusty across the higher terrain. Winter Weather Advisories were reissued across northern Utah for another round expected on Thursday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 164533-1775083550601.png"></p><p>The Sierra Nevada Mountains also have winter alerts in place that will continue through most of Thursday morning. Travel delays and slick roadways are likely. Stay safe as this much-needed moisture arrives across the higher terrain.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 164841-1775083739866.png"></p><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><p>While one system is departing, another area of disturbance will move across Northern California and back into Utah and Colorado. This system will continue to bring impacts through Friday morning.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/FORSS-1775091796749.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 165239-1775083975535.png">Although not a "drought buster" by any means, these systems will at least help put a dent into the record-low snowpack across the West, along with some relief from the heat!</p>

SW Pattern Change: Tracking Rain & Snow

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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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<p><strong>LIFTOFF -</strong> At 6:35 PM ET on April 1, 2026, NASA launched astronauts on a historic mission to the Moon. This marks the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years, dating back to the Apollo era.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2039477801787769177" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2039477801787769177"></div><p>NASA’s Space Launch System sent four astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, aboard the Orion spacecraft on a test flight around the Moon and back. This 10-day mission will demonstrate life support systems and help lay the foundation for future deep space exploration.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 091928-1774711352235.png">What's Next for Artemis II?</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Day 1: </strong>focused on launch and entering Earth orbit.</p></li><li><p><strong>Days 2-4: </strong>outbound transit toward the Moon.</p></li><li><p><strong>Days 5-6</strong>: Orion will fly by the Moon, entering its sphere of influence, where the Moon becomes the dominant gravitational force.</p></li><li><p><strong>Days 7-10</strong>: return trip to Earth, followed by re-entry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where the U.S. Navy will recover the capsule.</p></li></ul><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 180532-1775088336863.png">What is the Future of the Artemis Program?</h2><p>In simple terms, Artemis is the first step in a broader effort to send humans to Mars. Before that, NASA aims to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustained presence while testing humanity’s ability to live and work beyond Earth’s orbit. Artemis II, specifically, will send astronauts around the Moon and back.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 091131a-1774710738504.jpg">This will be the first mission since 1972 to take humans beyond low Earth orbit, and potentially farther from Earth than any human has traveled before. NASA currently plans a series of Artemis missions, with Artemis IV expected to land astronauts on the Moon.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-01 180027-1775088036041.png">Artemis II marks a major step forward in human space exploration, pushing us farther than we’ve gone in decades, and bringing us one step closer to returning to the Moon… and eventually, reaching Mars.</p>

Several Severe Storm Chances For the Midwest, East Coast

SW Pattern Change: Tracking Rain & Snow

First Crewed Lunar Mission in 50 Years: Artemis II Lifts Off

Severe Threat Wednesday in the Plains

April Brings Cooler Temperatures

Several Severe Storm Chances For the Midwest, East Coast

SW Pattern Change: Tracking Rain & Snow

First Crewed Lunar Mission in 50 Years: Artemis II Lifts Off

Severe Threat Wednesday in the Plains

April Brings Cooler Temperatures

Several Severe Storm Chances For the Midwest, East Coast

SW Pattern Change: Tracking Rain & Snow

First Crewed Lunar Mission in 50 Years: Artemis II Lifts Off