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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The Pacific hurricane season is showing no signs of slowing down as multiple tropical systems churn across the basin, with warm ocean temperatures and a strengthening El Nino helping create favorable conditions for development.Hurricane Karina (now a major hurricane) and Tropical Storm Lowell are among the latest systems to form over the open Pacific. Both storms are forecast to strengthen as they remain over warm water.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 043511-1788258928033.png">The active pattern may not end with the current systems. There is another area southwest of Mexico that could form into a tropical depression by mid to late week. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions are expected to become favorable for additional organization, giving the disturbance a high chance of tropical development over the next several days. Behind Karina and Lowell, Marie is brewing and could potentially bring some impacts to the lower 48.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-01 04-36-16-1788259005396.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>El Nino Helping Fuel Pacific Activity</h1>The surge in tropical activity comes as El Nino continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific. El Nino is characterized by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures across portions of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. Those unusually warm waters can influence weather patterns around the globe while also creating an environment that can favor tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-30 070106-1788094892764.png">This year’s El Nino has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.While the Pacific remains crowded with tropical systems, many of the current storms are expected to remain over open water. Still, with several additional areas being monitored, the active stretch of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season is far from over.Click here for more on what is happening in the Atlantic Basin:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/atlantic-tropics-watching-several-areas-strong-tropical-wave-next-week"> Atlantic Tropics.</a>

Adrian Hernandez

El Nino Powers a Party in the Pacific

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The storms that materialized Sunday were NOT playing around. We clocked winds at 100 mph out of South Dakota (above)!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2093859694444155210" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2093859694444155210"></div>It has been an active summer for portions of the Northern Plains, with several rounds of severe weather even during the last week. Another low will spur additional severe weather threats Monday and Tuesday. Damaging winds and large hail will be the biggest threats. Daytime heating will provide instability, with afternoons and evenings offering the best chance of severe storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 043020-1788258678518.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 043031-1788258678518.png">With some spin in the atmosphere, we cannot rule out an isolated spin-up tornado today, either.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 043043-1788258759645.png">Strong to severe storms will be possible as this frontal boundary lingers over the next few days.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-01 04-32-59-1788258809035.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Most will see around a quarter of an inch or less of rain, but there will be localized heavier rainfall in the storms that develop over the next few days.For the latest updates on these storms, make sure to tune into the central regional forecast:30 past the hour.

Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

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Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Each week there's been a storm system that ridges from the Plains into the Northeast, and we've got another one headed our way. Each wave has brought severe chances and renewed flooding concerns - this one's not much different.<h1>Rainfall &amp; Flooding</h1>Repeated rounds of storms have led to swollen riverways in areas around the Midwest, like Indiana, in the past week. This week, the concern is more centered around flash flooding, when it simply rains too hard for too long. Portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey look to see some of the heavier rain totals over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 042243-1788258178873.png">A slight risk for flooding has been added by the Weather Prediction Center for Wednesday. Cities like New York, Poughkeepsie, and Syracuse in New York State should stay vigilant of the flooding potential. This is especially true considering the heavy rainfall we have seen here over the last several weeks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 042310-1788258202825.png"><h1>Severe Storms</h1>As these systems dive southeast out of the Great Lakes, they will have a few ingredients to turn storms severe, potentially. Right now, the timing looks a little later than usual for severe weather events. Generally favoring the afternoon and evening on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. However, data continues to point more toward the early overnight hours, with storms holding together even into daybreak. With a slow-moving system, this is subject to change, so keep up with the latest forecast over the next few days.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-01 04-24-13-1788258281244.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The Storm Prediction Center has even issued outlooks for severe weather starting Tuesday with a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. All threats will be possible, including an isolated risk for tornadoes in some major cities!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 042622-1788258398784.png">Isolated tornadoes will be possible with these storms from Ithaca, NY to Philadelphia, PA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 042651-1788258424239.png">Another SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather sticks around the Northeast. A lot of these major cities under the gun for severe weather for two days in a row!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 042811-1788258504929.png">The pattern remains consistent into the end of the week. On Friday, there are outlooks for severe weather across Washington D.C., through New York City and Pittsburgh, PA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 042848-1788258541619.png">

Northeast: Soaking Showers & Severe Storms

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Flood Watches are in effect throughout Arizona, Utah, and portions of Colorado (above). Watch for flash flood warnings, especially over recent burn scars. Many areas have been seeing heavy rainfall and flooding over the last few days.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2094198484853457139" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2094198484853457139"></div>Flooding in Bright Angel Canyon has led to two confirmed fatalities and over 15 people missing.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 134703-1788205659306.png">Pacific moisture continues to inundate the region, with days of heavy downpours for areas around the Four Corners. 1-4 inches of rain are expected in the favored locations, with scattered flash flooding possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 040659-1788257481476.png"><h1>Drought Relief</h1>September is favored for above-average precipitation across a majority of the Western United States. This would be a great way to end a solid monsoon season, which runs through the end of the month.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 075355-1788011658558.png">With more rain on the way, drought improvement is likely for some areas, while drought removal is even possible in others. Keep doing your rain dance (take video and tag us if you do!).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 075403-1788011667031.png">

Monsoon Moisture Brings Flooding Across the Four Corners

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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Tropical Storm Edouard has formed over the Northern Gulf. Some strengthening is expected before it makes landfall on Tuesday. Areas along the Gulf can see 3-6 inches of rain and a storm surge up to 4 feet. The Biggest concerns will be along the coast, with flooding being the main concern. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 035717-1788256649654.png">Tropical storm warnings are in effect for portions of the Upper Texas and Southwestern Louisiana Coast. These conditions are expected Tuesday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 035738-1788256671159.png">Peak storm surge of 1-5 feet will be possible across the coastline of Texas and Louisiana.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 035803-1788256694592.png">As this tropical system moves through, it will bring heavy rain and gusty winds.This moisture then pushes through Texas and up the I-45 corridor towards Dallas by Wednesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-01 03-58-44-1788256751294.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Threats for heavy rain and flooding have been issued from the Weather Prediction Center. There is a SLIGHT risk on Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 035928-1788256786232.png">As this system pushes farther inland, the level 2, SLIGHT, risk for excessive rainfall expands up the I-45 corridor into more of east Texas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 035956-1788256811841.png">El Nino has been smothering tropical waves in the Atlantic this summer, with four named storms to date but only 11% of average cyclone energy!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-30 061729-1788092360286.jpg">This doesn't mean the rest of the season will be just as quiet, however, as 66% of all hurricane activity in the Atlantic occurs between August 20th and October 10th. The climatological peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season is September 10.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 090839-1787843332378.png">

Tropical Storm Edouard  Forms In The Gulf

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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!

Alana Cameron

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SEPT 1 - Today marks the beginning of meteorological fall. Meteorologists measure seasons using three-month periods for easier record-keeping, which means meteorological fall lasts from September 1 to November 30.<h2>A Look Back at Meteorological Summer</h2><h3>June 2026</h3>So how did this summer shape up for many Americans? Starting with June, the average temperature of the CONUS was 70.6°F. This ranks June 2026 as the third-warmest June on record, with temperatures 2.2°F above average.<h3><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 162715-1788215448140.png">Other Notable Events of June 2026</h3><ul><li>Record June tornado activity in the Midwest , with 91 tornadoes in Illinois and 69 in Indiana.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2068830531098436001" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2068830531098436001"></div></li><li>June 16 - 19: the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur produced 10-20 inches of rain along the central Gulf Coast.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2067812111733149721" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2067812111733149721"></div></li><li>June 29: a derecho moved across South Dakota producing 131 mph winds in Highmore.</li><li>Wildfires burned more than 120,000 acres in Utah and Colorado late June, including the Cottonwood Fire.</li></ul><h3>July 2026</h3>According to the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202607"> NCEI</a> where these statistics were retrieved, July was also well above average. In fact, it was the hottest July on record, with an average temperature of 76.89°F, 3.3°F above normal.The average daily maximum temperature was 89.5°, and the average daily minimum temperature was 64.2°. <h3><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 163826-1788215986705.png">Other Notable Events of July 2026:</h3><ul><li>July 9-11: training thunderstorms in IL, KY, and MO caused widespread flash flooding.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2075761995668726223" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2075761995668726223"></div></li><li>July 12: multiple sites across ID, WY, UT, and MT set all-time high temperature record, including Salt Lake City (109°), Sheridan, WY (109°), Billings, MT (111°), Idaho Falls, ID (103°), and Miles City, MT (115°).</li><li>July 13 - 17: persistent rain in the Texas Hill Country produced 28" near Knippa, causing major flash flooding.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2077913674120135043" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2077913674120135043"></div></li><li>July 27: An EF-3 tornado struck Appleton, WI, causing extensive damage</li></ul><h3>August 2026</h3>NCEI's climate report for August has yet to be released, but several notable weather events took place this month.<ul><li>August 11: A Midwest derecho produced widespread damaging winds and power outages.</li><li>Wildfires near Spokane, WA forced approximately 64,000 people to evacuate.</li><li>Persistent rain, flooding, and severe weather impacted portions of the Midwest throughout the month.</li></ul><h2>Meteorological Summer</h2>The Southwestern United States experienced some of the hottest and driest conditions of the summer. Cities like Aspen, Colorado, averaged temperatures about 7 degrees above normal.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 162726-1788218275334.png">Aspen also experienced its driest summer on record, receiving only 1.28 inches of rainfall. Several other cities recorded their driest summer on record as well, including Spokane, Washington; Los Angeles; and San Diego.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 162738-1788217624611.png">Meanwhile, in the Northeast, some locations experienced their wettest summer on record. Paducah and Cape Girardeau received more than 22 inches of rain this summer.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 162753-1788217686842.png">For more on what to expect this fall, be sure to join us on WeatherNation for the latest outlooks!

A Look Back At Meteorological Summer 2026

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During El Nino, temperatures across the Eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer, or above normal. For the hurricane season, this means an increase in tropical activity across the Eastern Pacific.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-26 160007-1787781615977.png">These warmer sea surface temperatures also mean an increase in shark activity for Southern California beaches. Meteorologist Taban Sharifi spoke to Dr. Christopher Lowe, professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach on how El Nino brings changes to marine life along the coast.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1FcXy4BQcgA" start="0"></iframe></div>As the waters continue to warm through the Fall, Dr. Lowe talked about the changing species that will be seen across the Southern California waters that are not typically there. This includes hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and even manta rays. This also includes white sharks. The water farther south will get too warm for the white sharks, that are normally off the Baha of California, and they will begin to push north. Dr. Lowe said, "It's going to push those juvenile white sharks that are normally in Mexico into Southern California waters." This is something they have already started to see happen during July and August of this year, and the numbers of these sharks are increasing. Dr. Lowe said the sharks could reach as far north as Santa Cruz, CA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-26 155905-1787784580682.png">There's a sweet spot for water temperatures for these sharks that sits between 64°-72°. Above 82° is when sharks begin to move north. Currently, water temperatures in the Eastern Pacific are significantly warmer than that 82° threshold.A message to beach goers: "Believe it or not, having all those white sharks off that beach might actually keep people safer. Because they are eating sting rays, there are fewer sting rays that might hurt people," said Dr. Lowe.Watch the full interview for more on how close these sharks get to the coastline and how scientists track their behavior.

Tracey Anthony

El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

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https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/10156156888389874/

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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.

https://www.facebook.com/NWSAlaska/videos/1563489913704396/

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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.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-86243" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/AK-RECORD-DECEMBER-TEMPS-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

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>