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>With the jet stream focused over the Midwest, the weather has been active across Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. We have seen snowy conditions along with widespread severe weather. Wind reports in Pennsylvania and Ohio have been upwards of 60-70 mph on Saturday!</p><p>Another quick-moving low pressure system will help spark a few more storms Sunday through the Midwest. Damaging winds are our primary threat but we can't rule out an isolated tornado either.</p><p>Another round of storms develops around an area cold front and low pressure system, focused more into Indiana and Illinois with all modes of severe weather possible once again. Even if a storm does not reach severe criteria, heavy rain will still be a factor along with gusty straight line winds.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture-1679829494075.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Capture2-1679829510206.JPG"></p><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/FORECAST-1679829528803.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>With multiple rounds of heavy rain expected, there is growing concern for flash flooding. As soils become more saturated, expect flash flooding to become possible around the Ohio River with 1-2 inches of rain. This additional rain, combined with already saturated soils, is what's prompting the elevated flood threat.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-25 RNC accum-1679800118670.JPG"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the Severe and Rain forecast streaming 24/7.</p>

Strong Storms Target the Midwest Sunday

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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>The same front that spawned the severe storms and tornadoes in Mississippi on Friday and the large hail producing storms Saturday, hangs around Sunday, prolonging the severe weather threat for the Gulf Coast.</p><p>The Storm Prediction Center has issued an ENHANCED risk (Level 3 out of 5) through southern Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday, a bit further south than where the strongest of the storms hit on Friday. Still, for some communities impacted by the storms Friday, the risk of heavy rain and strong winds will lead to difficulty with cleanup efforts.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sun svr-1679822601198.JPG">Wind and hail will be the most widespread threats with Sunday's storms, especially in the Enhanced Risk region. Tornadic activity will also be possible with a significant tornado threat. This means there will be the possibility of an EF-2 in strength of stronger in the highlighted red region.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig tor-1679835542069.JPG">Very large hail is possible across central Louisiana through South Carolina Sunday afternoon and evening. Here, the environment is supportive of 2" thick hail, or larger. This equates to lime or hen egg size hail, which can do significant damage to property.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/sig hail-1679835570826.JPG">Storms will fire up early in the morning, with multiple rounds of storms possible through the day. Showers and storms continue to develop through the afternoon and evening along the front, becoming much more widespread along the I-20 corridor overnight Sunday into Monday. Please have multiple ways to get alerts as storms roll through overnight and remember that flash flooding can be deadly, and nighttime flooding is extremely dangerous.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/0326-1679822806219.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Rainfall totals could top 3-6 inches where thunderstorms train over the same location, leading to flood potential. Flash flooding is an equally dangerous and deadly threat with the severe storms, especially close to rivers, creeks, streams as well as urban communities. Please, turn around, don't drown.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1679772296671.jpg">Monday, a marginal risk of severe storms will be possible as these storms continue East. The risk for tornadoes, high winds, and large hail will be less compared to Sunday, but it will still be present.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/MON SVR-1679822846104.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the severe weather and flood threat this weekend and early next week in the south.</p>

Severe Storm Threat Continues Sunday Across the Southeast

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<p>Snow has fallen in the Denver metro and back through the Rockies on Saturday, producing a few inches of fresh snowfall with higher totals in the mountains. This area of low pressure now moves into the Great Plains of Nebraska and Kansas through Sunday, bringing additional snowfall. Winter storm alerts linger across Nebraska and Iowa for more snowfall and gusty winds. Parts of Nebraska have already seen totals in the last 24 hours of 10 inches.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/snow totals-1679823082815.JPG">The snow continues through Sunday morning before diminishing by the later afternoon. There is an additional low pressure system that will organize out of Colorado Monday, which brings additional heavy snow to parts of western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/0326 plains snow-1679823270893.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>In addition to the accumulating snow, gusty winds could lead to drops in visibility and difficult driving conditions on I-80 in western Nebraska.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/plains snwo-1679823290831.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the snow threat your central regional forecast is always :30 past the hour.</p>

Snow Chances Reach from the Rockies to the Plains

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<div>Lucy is originally from the Boston area but has spent the last four years forecasting and living in Colorado! She stayed in the northeast for her education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego with a B.S. in Meteorology. Just a few days after graduation, she made the cross country move to Colorado Springs, CO to begin her career at KKTV, the CBS affiliate. Lucy has covered historic blizzards, tornadoes, windstorms, the largest wildfires in Colorado state history and dust storms ... they truly "get it all" in Colorado! Lucy is excited to forecast on a national level and continue her passion of explaining the science behind the weather!</div>
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Lucy Bergemann

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<p>A ridge of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico is providing near record warmth and Gulf moisture in the Southeast, increasing the risk of severe weather as a cold front and surface low pressure system push through tonight. Severe storms are expected to continue tonight with the potential for damaging winds and tornadoes. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-25 Tor D1-1679765609052.JPG">The potential for severe storms will continue into the evening through the Carolinas and Georgia, before another round potentially starts in the overnight farther west into Alabama and Mississippi along the I-20 corridor.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Futurecast-1679772946494.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Records did occur on Thursday &amp; Friday across the South with highs in the 80s and 90s. Records broke on Friday for cities like Baton Rouge and Greenwood. Everywhere there is a pink dot is an opportunity to tie or break records Sunday and Monday. Most of the records will be in Florida, but a few of our coastal cities will get a crack at well above-average temperatures this week too. Highs will soar into the 80s with even some low 90s. Things turn cooler as the front passes through on Monday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/dots-1679749665839.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the temperature swings and severe concerns, streaming 24/7!</p>

Severe Storms & Record Heat in the Southeast Today

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<p>Another low-pressure system moving through the central U.S. will encounter cold air in our atmosphere and has been producing heavy snow and wind in the northern tier of the country. Snow alerts continue in northern Michigan and northern Maine tonight. Winter weather alerts continue Sunday with snow up to 10 inches and sleet up to .25". The winter storm warning is where we can see the highest snowfall totals. Rainfall totals of up to an inch are possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1679774540321.jpg"> <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1679739436162.JPG">Steady snow will continue through New England while tapering in the Great Lakes region as cold air and snow wrap around the back side of the low-pressure system Saturday before tapering down early Sunday morning. Snow totals will be heaviest through northern New England where locally up to 6" may be possible. Most in the mountains will see light accumulations though.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Futurecast-1679773328966.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>We will see another 3-6" of snow in northern Maine and across far northern Michigan and the U.P..</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/1-1679773398794.jpg"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/2-1679774483509.jpg">Looking deeper into the forecast, there is another round of winter precipitation for next Tuesday and Wednesday. There is still a bit of uncertainty in the forecast, especially when it comes to temperature profiles, which determines if we get wet, heavy snow, or sleet and freezing rain. Typically the last snow of the season in the Northeast is in early April. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the northeast winter forecast!</p>

Heavy Snow for the Great Lakes and Northeast Tonight

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<p>CALIFORNIA - We have had a incredible snow season and there is no sign of things slowing down in the near future. Snowpack continues to rise in the Sierra, and is inching closer to the snowiest year in history of 1952-53. We are about 10 feet shy of the snow totals of that winter! Additionally, these systems have been creating isolated strong thunderstorms and very heavy rain.</p><h2>Freezing Conditions</h2><p>It's been a chilly last few mornings, and Sunday morning will be no exception. Temperatures will once again drop in to the 20s and 30s, so please cover exposed plants or bring them inside. The cold air could be harmful for plants that are already into the growing season, especially for agriculture.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/cali cold-1679779253851.JPG"></p><h2>Next Wave Monday - Wednesday</h2><p>Looking ahead to next week, another round of wet weather is on the way. A Pacific low will move onshore, bringing more moisture to waterlogged California. There is confidence in meaningful snow for the Sierra, which will help creep up closer to the snowiest season on record.  Winter storm watches are in effect for the Sierra from Monday night into Wednesday with heavy snow anticipated over 3000 feet. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-25 RSW CA WWA-1679791583398.JPG">In addition to snowfall, we expect heavy rain to be a concern along the coastline, prompting more flood alerts and the risk of mudslides &amp; debris flow.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/3-24 RSW snow accum-1679703663295.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/rainfall-1679779480988.JPG">The extended pattern into the beginning of April remains active in the western U.S. with above average rain and snow conditions expected. </p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest in the snow amounts and timing for the Western U.S., the Western regional forecast is at :50 past the hour!</p>

Snowpack in California Creeping Closer to Top Spot - More Snow next Week

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<p>Heavy rain brought on by torrential downpours and severe weather has create widespread flooding issues through the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys and iwll continue into the nex few days. Sadly, the flooding has turned deadly in central Mississippi where a car was swept off the roadway and into a creek overnight Thursday into Friday, killing two. Please, turn around, don't drown, especially at night when the water and roadways are hard to see. Flood watches are in effect into Saturday from Oklahoma through Pennsylvania. Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches can be expected with locally higher amounts of up to 4 to 5 inches possible. Soaking rain is expected to extend from Oklahoma through the mid-south and into the midwestern states of Ohio, Indiana, and even through Pennsylvania. Storms had already produced rain totals of 1-3" Thursday into Friday across parts of the region, including Illinois, Indiana and Oklahoma. Storms are expected to continue along a frontal boundary with heavy soaking rainfall. Storms will "train" over the same areas, meaning repeated rounds of rain over the same areas, overwhelming the soils.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/rain reports-1679676536621.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/flood alerts-1679691390226.jpg"></p><p>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/#page=ero">Weather Prediction Center</a> has issued an excessive rainfall outlook for much of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys Friday due to the incoming heavy rainfall. A <strong>moderate</strong> risk (level 3 out of 4) for heavy rainfall has been issued. This means flooding is likely in the area as streams, creeks and low-lying areas fill up with water. Driving conditions can change quickly, so make sure to be weather aware and always turn around if you come across a flooded roadway.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/0324FriSatRainJPG-1679660245895.jpeg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/03/03-24 WPC Fri-1679660276540.JPG">If you feel like it has been a rainy year through the central and southern Plains, it certainly has been in Little Rock - the city is now at its 3rd rainiest in history. Tune in to Weather Nation throughout the hour for all your top weather headlines.</p>

Flooding Turns Fatal in Missouri

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After several weeks of deadly wildfires, much needed rain is finally headed to California, along with heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Travel will be impacted by several rounds of moisture to affect the state.

https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/1065089959084871685

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https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/1065252242318598144

Flash Flood Watches are now in effect as a parade of storms will bring moisture to the region mid-late week. Some areas could see 3" to 6" of rain by the weekend.

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Several waves of energy will bring the moisture from the Pacific Ocean to the region. The first round of rain for Northern California set to arrive Wednesday.

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After the arrival of Wednesday's rain, it's going to be a parade of storms through the weekend as additional rounds of moisture and energy swing through the area.

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There will also be a transition to much needed snow for the high country of the Sierra Nevada. Up to a foot of snow is possible by the weekend for higher elevations. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for elevations above 6000 feet.

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https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/1064993918637535232

It is important to stay up-to-date to changes with this forecast. The timing of this event makes for higher impacts as more people frequent the highways and interstates for the Holidays. Debris flows, mudslides can shut down area roads quickly so be sure to plan your routes accordingly.

Meteorologist Merry Matthews