WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p><em>Top Image Credit: National Parks Service</em></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Spring is fast approaching, 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.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png"></p><p>On Thursday, March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026. The peak is expected around late March into early April (between the 31st and 2nd). Still, the forecast for the peak is generally difficult to make beyond ten days, as blossoms will be impacted by weather conditions. Check back in for updates!</p><h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2><p>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"><strong><u>many types of cherry trees</u></strong></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"><strong><u>about two to three weeks to reach peak</u></strong></a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.</p><h2>Past Blooms</h2><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"><br>Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).</p><p>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"><strong><u>recorded all the way back to the 9th century</u></strong></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/"><strong><u>late March through late April</u></strong></a> from north to south across the nation.</p>

Tracey Anthony

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

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Patrick Crawford has always been a huge weather buff! He grew up in Plano, Texas, and it was there that he experienced what Mother Nature was capable of doing. He would always turn on the television to see what local meteorologists were saying about the weather. That's when he realized he wanted to be a meteorologist.

Patrick graduated from Northern Illinois University (’04) with a degree in Meteorology and a double minor in Mathematics and Geography. Broadcast Meteorology has been great to him and he has been able to work in television markets all across the country. Some of his stops have included New Orleans, Green Bay and even Yuma, Arizona. He is so excited to be part of the WeatherNation team.

He has been awarded the prestigious CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) weather seal from the American Meteorological Society.

Feel free to catch up with Patrick Crawford on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://twitter.com/MeteorologistPC">Twitter</a> pages.

Patrick Crawford

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<p></p><p>A strong ridge of high pressure building over the Western U.S. will bring warm, dry, and windy weather conditions. This will set up a strong fire weather risk for the next few days. Outdoor activities that could spark or ignite should be avoided over the next few days. Check out the strong wind gusts below as several locations recorded wind gusts over 100 mph!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773356604431.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/WEB 4-1773406793322.png"></p><p>Several fires have sparked and spread with the strong winds. Power companies have started to cycle power in areas of Colorado to mitigate fire risk. It makes sense when winds are clocking up to 90+ mph in Colorado. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/WEB 3-1773406830852.png"></p><p></p><h1>Fire Weather Alerts</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/WEB 1-1773406418094.png"></p><h1>FIRE OUTLOOK</h1><h3>FRIDAY</h3><p>Winds will relax a tad bit as elevated fire threat will be likely. However, critical fire threats return this weekend as the winds pick up again.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773356717056.png"></p><h2>SATURDAY</h2><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/WEB 2-1773406400467.png"></p><p>It is always important to know some tips on how to prevent fires, so here are some tips.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/pic4-1773244322444.png"></p>

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains

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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>

Rob Bradley

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<p>After severe storms slammed the Midwest earlier this week, another set of storm systems is trekking through the region with more of a wintry feel. The first system moved into the Midwest on Thursday with very gusty winds. It will continue to shift through the Great Lakes on Friday with wind and snow, clearing into early Saturday. The next system begins to send light snow across the Plains and Midwest early Saturday, but intensifies quickly Saturday night into Sunday with very heavy snow and gusty winds that linger through Monday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-13 063811-1773405868205.png">Winds have been extreme with this system. Gusts in have topped 80 -100 mph in multiple states with the strongest winds expected over the Great Lakes on Friday. High wind warnings are in effect where gusts are expected to surpass 55-60 mph.</p><h1>FRIDAY SYSTEM</h1><p>Wind will continue to be the most widespread impact from our first system, with strong winds lingering into Saturday. Secure loose objects like trash cans, patio furniture, and trampolines.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-13 06-58-56-1773407742422.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Winds plus snow is not a fun recipe to drive in. Expect blowing snow leading to whiteout conditions, teetering on blizzard conditions, especially around Lake Superior. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-13 06-39-47-1773407785781.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-13 063941-1773406172263.png"></p><h1>Saturday - Monday</h1><p>Another day, another system. This one follows in the footsteps of the previous one. That will funnel EVEN MORE cold air southward.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 093339-1773243234730.png">Even more snow and winds will greet us getting into the weekend. By the time Monday rolls around, many locations could be looking at another few inches of snow on the ground!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 09-35-11-1773243337525.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-13 064953-1773406208033.png"></p>

Multiple Systems Bring Gusty Winds, Heavy Snow to the Midwest

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<p>You may have heard the news but a large heatwave is coming to the West. Temperatures will be in the 90s and 100s at times during the next seven days. Daily and all time March records could fall too! Thursday, a few records fell but the intense heat really cranks up next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773369042210.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/ahs-1773322054993.png"><strong>Heat Advisories </strong>are in effect through Friday across portions of Southern California. There is a high risk of heat illness for most of the population on Friday as temperatures peak 20-30 degrees above normal.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773356386409.png"></p><p>Los Angeles has a shockingly warm week ahead with numerous days expected to be in the 80s and 90s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773368112045.png"></p><p>Take heat related illnesses seriously and find ways to stay cool if you need to spend long periods of time outside or without air conditioning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773356460203.png"></p><p>More details can be found :50 past the hour in your Western Regional Forecast.</p>

Record-Breaking Heat Builds Out West

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<p></p><p>Severe storms continued into this morning, with dozens of overnight tornado warnings as the line moved east.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 174429-1773359087251.png"></p><p>Things are finally quieting down from this multi-day severe weather outbreak, but not before 200+ severe wind reports, 150+ hail reports, and 30+ tornado <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/260310_rpts.html">reports to the Storm Prediction Center</a>.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 174440-1773359116917.png"></p><p>Tuesday, March 10, will go down as record-breaking for at least one state in the Midwest. After the Storm Prediction Center upgraded parts of Illinois and Indiana to a Moderate (Level 4/5) Risk, destructive severe storms ripped through the heart of the country. A large supercell on the ground for up to 45 minutes produced a large and dangerous tornado in the town of Kankakee, IL. The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued preliminary damage assessments rating this tornado as an EF-3 with max winds of 150mph. Our field crews were on the ground to capture it as it happened and to speak with the families impacted.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031867768505598421" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031867768505598421"></div><p>First responders worked tirelessly, picking up debris and searching for survivors in the aftermath. Loads of footage came out of this tornado, much of which was heartbreaking to see.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031730530631434633" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031730530631434633?s=20"></div><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 073153-1773322362766.png"></p><p>A highly unstable atmosphere led to strong updrafts, resulting in large hail during severe storms. Hailstones the size of softballs and larger were reported in Texas and Illinois.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 082436-1773239081623.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/AAA_WEB5-1773228556681.png"></p><p>A hailstone from the Kankakee, IL supercell looks likely to be a state record, and could challenge national records for biggest hail. The photo posted by a Kankakee resident looks to be upwards of 7-8 inches in diameter! The stone will have to be examined to determine if it breaks the record set by hail from Vivian, South Dakota, in 2010 that measured 8 inches.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 115507-1773251922303.png"></p><p></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031525994843214069" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031525994843214069"></div>

Multiple Systems Bring Gusty Winds, Heavy Snow to the Midwest

Record-Breaking Heat Builds Out West

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains

Multiple Systems Bring Gusty Winds, Heavy Snow to the Midwest

Record-Breaking Heat Builds Out West

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains

Multiple Systems Bring Gusty Winds, Heavy Snow to the Midwest

Record-Breaking Heat Builds Out West

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak