Kevin Schneider

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We’re not all that close to the summer solstice—in fact, we’re not even a month removed from the Spring Equinox, but it certainly feels like many of us have skipped spring and jumped straight into summer. A strong ridge of high pressure is dominating the eastern half of the country this week, and it’s doing two key things: heating temperatures up and steering storms farther north.Record highs were broken Sunday across parts of the eastern U.S., including at Tri-Cities Airport in Tennessee and Shelby County Airport in Alabama, where temperatures surged into the 80s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 170140-1776034930479.png">Starting Tuesday, that record heat expands across more of the eastern United States. Over the next several days, multiple cities could challenge or break daily records, with temperatures running more than 20 degrees above average.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-13_potential record highs-1776104010989.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Across the Southeast, temperatures will remain well above normal. Many cities are expected to approach 90 degrees today, Tuesday, and Wednesday, far above the typical April highs in the 70s.<h3><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 120218-1776104038687.png">Fire Danger</h3>With this kind of warmth, fire concerns increase. Hot, dry conditions can quickly dry out soils and vegetation, creating more fuel for fires. Through tonight and into tomorrow, the Storm Prediction Center has issued an elevated fire risk.Today’s outlook includes East Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 120435-1776104074486.png">By Tuesday, East Tennessee is dropped from the elevated risk area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 120441-1776104373579.png">We’ll continue to monitor drought conditions, as ongoing dryness could keep fire danger elevated, even if rain chances remain limited.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 121639-1776104208839.png">

Alana Cameron

Eastern Heat + Fire Danger

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After a busy start to the week, the weekend doesn't look like it will let up much. Another trough will swing in, replacing another that kept severe chances around all week. This next trough (above) that will drop in looks like it could be a touch stronger even. It's early in the forecast, but let's talk about what we know.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 062927-1776083428095.jpg">There looks like there will be just as much unstable air to work with, helping power storms in the afternoon. Because many of the ingredients don't change, just their origin, the severe outlook will look familiar.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 063106-1776083498821.jpg">Right now, the Storm Prediction Center is more concerned with Friday from Iowa to Oklahoma. This early on, all modes of severe weather are still on the table, but there's plenty of work to be done concerning the details. Get in the habit of checking back with the forecast if you live in these areas, although that might be already formed given the severe chances preceding all of this.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-13 06-33-49-1776083680273.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>These storms that form on Friday will likely lead us into the start of the weekend, but whether the severe threat will, too, remains to be seen.

Severe Threat Spills into the Weekend

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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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<h1>Multi-Day Severe Storm Set-Up</h1>We continue to see the busy April pattern from Texas to the Great Lakes. A huge trough will swing through, bringing a severe threat risk on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. All severe threats will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Heavy rainfall will also be embedded in some storms, raising concerns about flooding. Make sure to stay with us for the latest updates and shifts in the forecast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 115108-1776102715378.png">There is already an enhanced risk for Tuesday too. All threats remain possible. Hailstones could exceed 2" in diameter.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 115131-1776102720441.png">A marginal and slight risk for severe weather continues through Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 115150-1776102724741.png">Daytime heating will help to spark up thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. Some storms will remain strong into the evening and nighttime hours, so make sure to have multiple ways to get alerts.In addition to severe storm hazards (wind, hail, and tornadoes), heavy rainfall rates are expected to lead to flash flood potential. It doesn't appear to be a high-end flooding threat, but as the forecast draws closer, we will keep you updated!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-13 061131-1776075102958.png">

Active Pattern This Week Across U.S.

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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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Spring is in full swing which means it's time to start looking ahead to this year's upcoming hurricane season in the Atlantic! Each year, Colorado State University's Tropical Weather Department releases multiple forecasts for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, including one of the earliest issued among major forecasters.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 065207-1775740414924.png"> CSU just released their first forecast for 2026, which is calling for a near normal to slightly below average season with 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. The average season in the Atlantic is just slightly higher than this initial prediction, meaning several impactful storms are still possible. As a reminder, even below average seasons can have major impacts depending on where storms form which is impossible to predict months ahead of time.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 065246-1775740421912.png">You've probably heard rumblings about the burgeoning El Ni­­ños, and possible Super Ni­­ño, shaping up in the tropical Pacific. The expectation for an El Ni­­ño event during the peak of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane season is a big factor in CSU's below average forecast, along with near normal sea surface temperatures, which have been much above average in recent seasons.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 065226-1775739587003.png">The confidence in an El Nino developing this summer is quite high, but the remaining question is how strong will the event be? Weak El Ni­­ños typically have a lower impact on the tropics in the Atlantic while strong El Ni­­ños have a more consistent impact. This year's El Ni­­ño is trending toward the strong side, but it's still too early to say for certain.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2042226020179161097" src="https://x.com/NWSCPC/status/2042226020179161097"></div>Why do El Ni­­ños typically reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin? The warmer water in the equatorial pacific often leads to a more energetic sub-tropical jet, leading to stronger winds in the upper-atmosphere over the Caribbean. Surface winds in the Caribbean most often comes from the east, known as the trade winds. When these winds lay under strong winds from the opposite (or even the same direction), it leads to strong wind shear which tears hurricanes apart.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 063418-1775740706915.png">Even with a slightly below average season, two major hurricanes are expected with many other named storms. Any named storm that hits land can have major to extreme impacts, so stay prepared and stay tuned. WeatherNation will always keep you updated on the latest in the tropics!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 065301-1775741404492.png">

Tracey Anthony

CSU Releases First Hurricane Forecast for 2026

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The peak of spring severe weather season is fast approaching and the outlooks are here to prove it! The Storm Prediction Center has outlooks for severe storms through Wednesday of this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-10 100804-1775837299426.png"><h1>Outlooks</h1>The SPC has maintained a SLIGHT risk for severe storms through Monday morning in Texas. This is a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather. In Minnesota, there is a MARGINAL risk for severe storms along the surface low.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 200100-1776045668479.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>Storms have fired up in west Texas and are expected to continue moving into the I-35 corridor through the morning hours. Models anticipate these storms clustering together as the drag through into the morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-12 rsc hrrr-1776034819721.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Rainfall &amp; Flood Threat</h1>Heavy downpours are expected with these thunderstorms. Rainfall totals could surpass 3-5" in some areas that see multiple thunderstorms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-11 043616-1775903842893.png"><h2>MONDAY</h2>A lot of the same question marks move into Monday, with a bimodal severe threat. The area of greatest concern looks to be up around the Great Lakes, where a higher tornado threat resides.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-12 122005-1776018029088.png">

Active Pattern This Week Across U.S.

CSU Releases First Hurricane Forecast for 2026

Weekend Closes With More Storms

Eastern Heat + Fire Danger

Severe Threat Spills into the Weekend

Active Pattern This Week Across U.S.

CSU Releases First Hurricane Forecast for 2026

Weekend Closes With More Storms

Eastern Heat + Fire Danger

Severe Threat Spills into the Weekend

Active Pattern This Week Across U.S.

CSU Releases First Hurricane Forecast for 2026

Weekend Closes With More Storms