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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WEST - Heatwave would be putting this stretch of extreme weather mildly. One of the most intense heat event the U.S. has seen since record keeping began is unfolding. More daily and monthly March records kept falling on Friday across the West.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1png-1774059912687.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774060007562.png">The heat is expected to intensify Saturday, before temperatures drop slightly. Even though temperatures will drop somewhat, record heat will persist through at least the middle of next week, if not longer.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774060090229.png">Afternoon highs in several locations are expected to climb into the 80s, 90s, and even 100s, shattering daily temperature records and creating a dramatic contrast from the colder conditions that typically dominate early March. In some areas, temperatures are running 20 to 40 degrees above seasonal averages.Heat alerts are in effect through the weekend across portions of California, Nevada, and Arizona. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-21 044406-1774089854111.png">The heat will fade only slightly for most SW locations this weekend before the ridge rebuilds next week. A sharper drop in temperatures is possible toward the end of next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-21 044525-1774089933909.png">The Climate Prediction Center has a high confidence that temperatures will stay above normal through the end of March.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774060186982.png">More on your Western Regional Forecast can be found:50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

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After record shattering rain and hurricane force winds last weekend, Hawaii is already dealing with another strong low pressure system moving in from the west, known locally as a Kona Low.<h2>FRIDAY</h2>Catastrophic flash flooding unfolded overnight Thursday into Friday morning on the northern side of O'ahu, after 5-9 inches of rain fell from slow moving thunderstorms. As a result, a dam failure was possible but officials say that the dam is in good condition so far. More heavy rain is possible to change the status. Evacuation orders have been issued for Haleiwa and Waialua as intense flooding cut off roads and inundated low lying areas. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 101325-1774023297460.png">The heavy rain was created by an approaching Kona Low, which will keep the weather pattern rainy through the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 105948-1774026224554.png">Flood watches are in effect for all of the islands through the end of the weekend. The low is forecast to shift east into next week, leading to sunnier conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 101245-1774023297462.png">Bands of heavy rain will move through the islands at times over the next several days, with intensity of the showers fluctuating. Thunderstorms could lead to the development of flash flooding, especially with saturated soils from the previous Kona low.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/New Baron Video 3-1774059173915.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals could easily surpass 1-4 inches where thunderstorms train, or move over the same locations multiple times. Most areas can expect lower totals.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774059222130.png"><h1>Previous System Record Rain &amp; Wind</h1>Rainfall totals from the previous system are almost unfathomable. Each island had at least one weather station record over 20 inches of rain with hurricane force winds recorded as well. These intense conditions left the islands more prone for impacts from following storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 110451-1774026907445.png">

Jesse Kelley

Flash Flood Emergency for O'ahu, Additional Rain Expected for Hawaii

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Dave Holder

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As heat builds across the western states, precipitation has also been hard to come by. Along with low humidities and breezy conditions, the increasing fire danger has prompted widespread Red Flag Watches and Warnings for the upcoming weekend!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 143524-1774039230829.png">For this weekend, fire alerts have been issued from the Black Hills of South Dakota, south through the Texas Panhandle.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 143606-1774039285554.png">While the actual temperatures of this heatwave have been the main focus, increasing temperatures lead to low relative humidities. While cities such as Denver and Amarillo feel the hottest March days ever, single-digit humidity levels look likely. Winds will kick up at times, too, in response to systems riding around the periphery of the upper-level heat dome.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 143540-1774039590169.png">The Storm Prediction Center has also highlighted areas of the greatest fire danger, with Wyoming being a particular focus through Saturday.<h2>24 Fire</h2>Unfortunately, some fires have already sparked and continue to grow. The 24 Fire, located to the southwest of Colorado Springs, has expanded to over 1000 acres after breaking out earlier on Wednesday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 144930-1774039787361.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-20 143555-1774039733292.png">

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

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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 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png">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!<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.<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 Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2033702354504323511" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2033702354504323511"></div>It wouldn't be March without a good ol' fashioned blizzard. The Upper-Midwest experienced intense blizzard conditions last weekend, and while the blizzard has cleared, additional rain and snow makers are on the way. While additional snow, ice, and storms are in the forecast, these systems are not expected to be as impactful.<h1>Timing</h1>Clipper systems with limited precipitation and impacts are expected to phase through the Great Lakes and Northeast through Friday. Stronger systems begin taking shape this weekend, with heavier precipitation and gusty winds. Friday into Saturday can expect heavier rain and snow in New York and New England, while the Upper-Midwest gets a new round of moderate snowfall from the trailing system. By Sunday, that next system is expected to move from the Great Lakes into the Northeast, bringing ice, snow, rain, and wind!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-20 10-29-40-1774017019380.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Rain and Snow Totals</h1>I-95 and the Central Appalachians are likely to stay on the rainy side of these systems, but higher elevations in the Northeast, along with areas that see lake-enhanced precipitation, will see some snowfall. Mountain areas could see some 6"+ totals.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-19 201431-1773972882164.png">Make sure to check in with us here on WeatherNation! We'll be covering these clipper systems all week, so follow along to stay updated on the latest!

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Clippers Keep the Great Lakes and Northeast Gusty, Cooler

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

Flash Flood Emergency for O'ahu, Additional Rain Expected for Hawaii

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Clippers Keep the Great Lakes and Northeast Gusty, Cooler

Records Obliterated - Extreme March Heatwave Bakes the West

Flash Flood Emergency for O'ahu, Additional Rain Expected for Hawaii

Fire Danger Continues Through the Weekend Across Central States

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Clippers Keep the Great Lakes and Northeast Gusty, Cooler