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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NORTHERN PLAINS - Severe weather is in the forecast across the Northern Plains as we head through the work week. A mid-level trough is expected to move into the area, which will bring us unsettled weather and thunderstorms over the next few days.Through Tuesday morning, there's a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather across North Dakota, South Dakota, and northern Minnesota. Significant winds and hailstones will be possible for cities like Fargo, ND, and Watertown, SD.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191407-1783386909884.png">Tuesday's severe weather risk looks a bit more widespread across the Plains, with organized clusters of thunderstorms possible later in the day on Tuesday. There is a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather across South Dakota and Minnesota.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191535-1783386977098.png">The risk continues through Wednesday with a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk extending from the High Plains through the Great Lakes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191609-1783387010308.png"><h2>Timing</h2>Storms have been moving along a frontal boundary across the High Plains; most of our storms in this area will start to peak into the later afternoon and through the later evening. This pattern is likely to repeat a little further south on Tuesday and Wednesday. Same timing, just further south. Make sure we have multiple ways to get alerts, as some of these storms could track into those nighttime hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/07-06 rnc overnight bams-1783387070948.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A few locations could get hit a couple of times by thunderstorms this week, which means that some areas may see some locally heavier rainfall totals. Keep an eye on flood alerts in your area. With repeated rounds of storms, you may be at risk for flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191810-1783387100504.png">For more on this active forecast, be sure to join us on WeatherNation!

Alana Cameron

Stormy Pattern Ahead for the Northern Plains

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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!

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NEW JERSEY - Heavy rainfall rates of around 2 inches per hour produced an intense burst of rain in a short period of time. These downpours caused a partial roof collapse Monday morning at a BJ's Wholesale Club in Ocean Township, New Jersey. No injuries were reported.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 152920-1783374268634.png">The forecast ahead maintains the risk for additional rainfall across the Northeast, so flood watches have been issued until Tuesday. In addition to these alerts, excessive rainfall outlooks have been issued too. The greatest risk for excessive rainfall through tonight stretches across the Mid-Atlantic into southern New England, including the I-95 corridor from Philadelphia to Boston, this is where the WPC has downgraded the risk for flooding from a MODERATE (level 3 out of 4) to now a level 2, SLIGHT risk for excessive rainfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 151623-1783374594660.png">Some of these areas could still receive an additional 3-5" of rainfall with rainfall rates as heavy as 2-3"/hr. Local maximums may surpass 8+ inches in some neighborhoods.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 190358-1783386247114.png">In addition to the flooding risk, the front that's causing all of this rain will also bring a risk for severe thunderstorms. Through Tuesday morning along the East Coast the SPC has kept a severe weather outlook.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 190456-1783386321696.png">Through Tuesday, Virginia and North Carolina remain under a risk for severe thunderstorms as the tail end of the front still pushes through.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 190625-1783386392485.png">Following the frontal boundary, afternoon storm chances are expected to stay in the forecast through Tuesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/eas-1783386497663.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more details on the threats and timing of these storms, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your Eastern Regional Forecast.

Flash Flood Threat Across the Northeast and New England

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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The Aspen Acres fire continues to burn in Southern Colorado. Evacuations remain in place as the fire is still expected to grow due to strong winds.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2074131250290257963" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2074131250290257963"></div>Numerous additional wildfires continue to burn across Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, which have scorched tens of thousands of acres over the past week. Below is the most recent acreage of the larger fires in Utah and Colorado, along with their containment.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191150-1783386729298.png"><h1>Fire Outlooks</h1>The fire weather outlooks are minimal as we head through the week, but there is a chance for some dry thunderstorms across the Front Range of the Rockies.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191200-1783386745132.png">This is especially important as we move past the 4th of July, especially as warmer temperatures build.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043144-1782556311355.png">Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow local evacuation orders, and do their part to help prevent the start and spread of wildfires this summer.

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

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Kevin Schneider

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A ridge of high pressure is building in our west, bringing the return of warm temperatures. Temperatures soaring past 115 could lead to heat illness toward the middle of the week. Temperatures, even in the Phoenix area, will stay above average for much of the week, peaking on Tuesday and Wednesday. An Extreme Heat Warning covers the area and extends into far southern California, where heat advisories are in place.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191933-1783387181005.png">Forecast highs will be running upwards of 10 degrees above average, but no records are at jeopardy this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 191936-1783387239685.png">Long-term models suggest this might be something to get used to, however. This ridge looks to linger in the area and could strengthen by next weekend. The Climate Prediction Center is highlighting much of the west with above-average temperatures into the middle of July.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 034749-1783331280754.png">This all comes on the heels of a warmer-than-normal June, which featured 18 days above average before a brief break heading into this month.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-06 112909-1783358964049.png">Heat safety will be a key concern going forward. Be sure to stay hydrated and keep looking in the back seat before locking the car.

Warm Weather Returns Out West

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SOUTHEAST - It's been muggy and stormy in the southeast and as we wrap up the holiday-long weekend, that trend will continue. Forecast highs and heat index values through Monday will likely reach the triple digits all across the southeast. Cities like Charleston, SC, will be feeling like 110 through Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-05 144142-1783284197832.png">This heat and humidity will also help to drive diurnal thunderstorms (storms that are driven by daytime heating). There is a marginal risk across the southeast for severe weather through Monday morning but as we head into the day on Monday thunderstorms will continue to pop through the southeastern U.S.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/07-05 rse bams-1783284239258.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Muggy and Stormy in the South

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Early in the season, we watch closer to the coasts here at home for development in the Hurricane Season. Until the waves coming off the coast of Africa start to fly and quit losing the battle to Saharan Dust, old fronts are the leading source of development.Currently, a frontal boundary moving through the southeastern U.S. has prompted a marginal risk for severe weather across portions of the Southeast. Main threat will be damaging winds. Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center was monitoring an area of potential tropical interest. That area is no longer expected to form into a tropical system. For now, the only name we have crossed off for the Atlantic season is Arthur.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063531-1782563982336.jpg">In the Eastern Pacific, on the other hand, Tropical Storm Douglas formed on Wednesday. This system is set to strengthen a little bit before weakening over open waters, with no impacts to land.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/douglassssss-1782952012931.png">

Jackie Brown

Slow-Moving Front No Longer Expected to Develop Tropically, Monitoring Eastern Pacific

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As Summer settles in across the Central U.S., MCSs, also known as Mesoscale Convective Systems, become more prevalent. These large clusters of thunderstorms can organize and persist for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and produce all modes of severe weather. The weather pattern over the next few days will favor repeated rounds of these storm complexes across the Plains &amp; Midwest.Strong and severe thunderstorms remain possible in the Mid South over the next few days as storms ride a ridge of high pressure. This will target the same areas through the end of the week to see severe weather. <h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/what-is-an-mcs">WHAT IS AN MCS: READ MORE HERE</a></h4><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782612588554.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the overnight, a few storms could still be severe across parts of the Ohio Valley before being steering into the Carolinas for Sunday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 133648-1782589019330.png">These storms will dump rain on the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding in some of the same spots that already flooded earlier this week. For more on the flooding risk, read this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-this-weekend">related article</a> on the flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782612765591.png">

Jesse Kelley

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

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One of Alaska's Warmest Decembers on Record 
If you live in Alaska or visited The Last Frontier State during the month of December you might have asked yourself, "where's the cold weather?". That's just it, there wasn't any! Of course there were a few nights and days where temperatures dipped into the typical Alaskan freeze, but overall, the state saw its fifth warmest December on record.

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December 2017 was ranked as the fifth warmest December on record with an overall state temperature of 26.5 degrees. That's not to far behind the warmest December on record with an average temperature of 28.4 degrees set back in 1969. However, it's significantly higher than Alaska's average monthly temperature of 19.0 degrees.

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These averages take into consideration both the daytime highs and nighttime lows. If we break it down, December 2017's average high temperature for the state was 31.5 degrees with a low of only 21.4 degrees. That's significantly higher than the normal daytime average high of 24.8 degrees and a low of 13.2 degrees. Overall, Alaska saw 22 days above average with only seven days below average. There were only two days with normal average temperatures. Where did all the cold air go? Those living in the Upper Midwest during the month of December might have a clue of where the cold air went....

For <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WeatherNation</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JoshCozartWx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Cozart</a>