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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Strong thunderstorms continue to impact the eastern U.S. as ridge-riding thunderstorms continue to influence the eastern U.S. The ridge of high pressure that caused this holiday heat wave is shifting off into the Atlantic, and thunderstorms are able to sneak through for the next few afternoons.Dangerous storms ripped through the northeast on Independence Day with severe wind reports gusting up to 87 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-05 060620-1783253209068.png">The Storm Prediction Center has a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms today.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-05 054638-1783252345440.png">On Monday, the Storm Prediction Center has kept the risk for severe weather going across the eastern U.S. with a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-05 054642-1783253106555.png">The timing of these storms looks most favorable during our afternoons. That is when temperatures are at their warmest and thus instability at its highest. The rest of Sunday will come along with some stronger storms focused on the DMV region and towards NYC. For any lingering 4th of July weekend activities be sure to have multiple ways of receiving severe weather alerts. On Monday and Tuesday, back to work brings back to back rounds of afternoon thunderstorms.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/07-05 east stormies-1783253081488.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.

Eastern U.S. Severe Threat

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Brittany Lockley

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An expansive ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the weather pattern across much of the eastern United States through the Fourth of July weekend, producing another round of dangerous heat and humidity for millions of people. The stagnant weather pattern has allowed temperatures to climb well above average for several days, with little overnight relief in many locations.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-04 094536-1783179947834.png">The heat is being driven by a strong upper-level ridge, often referred to as a heat dome. As air slowly sinks beneath the ridge, it compresses and warms, leading to widespread sunshine and hotter temperatures at the surface. With the ridge remaining firmly in place, daytime highs will climb into the 90s and lower 100s across portions of the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-04 094647-1783180021101.png">Humidity will make conditions even more dangerous. Dew points well into the 70s will push heat index values into the triple digits across many communities, making it feel significantly hotter than the actual air temperature. Warm overnight lows, with some locations struggling to fall below the upper 70s, will provide little opportunity for the body to recover from the daytime heat, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-04 093025-1783180256172.png">Several locations could challenge or break daily temperature records as the prolonged stretch of excessive heat continues. The combination of July sunshine, light winds, and persistent subsidence beneath the ridge will allow temperatures to rise quickly each afternoon.We spoke with the National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mt. Holly to get some perspective on just how unusual this heat is for the northeast.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlvJoWIawEw" start="0"></iframe></div>Records could be going down when the official highs come in this afternoon. Cities like Roanoke and Raleigh have a good chance at breaking a record high for the 4th of July.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/PIC 2-1783174506669.jpg">A gradual pattern change is expected later this weekend as a cold front begins to press southward into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The front will usher in slightly cooler and less humid air behind it, offering relief to some communities early next week. However, areas farther south are expected to remain under the influence of summer heat as the ridge weakens but does not disappear entirely.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-04 100037-1783180846117.png">With millions expected to spend time outdoors for Independence Day celebrations, meteorologists urge residents to take the heat seriously. Staying hydrated, taking frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces and limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day can help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.&nbsp;Heat waves become deadly when they are extended in duration, and complicated by overnight lows struggling to cool off enough. Be sure to mix in plenty of water this holiday weekend. Know the signs to look out for in friends and family.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043943-1782556806519.png">

Persistent Heat Dome to Keep Much of the Eastern U.S. Sweltering Through the Holiday Weekend

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Strong storms rocked the Midwest and Plains again on Thursday afternoon. Locations in both South Dakota and Iowa recorded hailstones of at least 3" in diameter!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/PIC 3-1783175640427.jpg"><h1>STORM TIMING:</h1>Storms from the previous day will likely persist into the overnights and mornings before a new round of storms gets triggered by the afternoon. As the frontal boundary drops to the south to end the week, storm initiation will track south with the boundary while storms continue to move to the east.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-04 15-10-34-1783199475343.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Outlooks / Hazards</h1>The outlook issued for Saturday has a large level 2 threat from the Front Range to the plains, plus there is an Enhanced risk for areas of Kansas and Oklahoma. Wind and hail will remain the primary concern. All modes of severe weather will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-04 151011-1783199495869.png">

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains for the 4th of July

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The Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colorado, near Pueblo, is over 55,000 acres with no containment. 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="2071956924137136402" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2071956924137136402?s=20"></div>Numerous additional wildfires continue to burn across Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, scorching tens of thousands of acres.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/PIC 2-1783174628287.jpg"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2072523156376752267" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2072523156376752267"></div><h1>Fire Outlooks</h1>The fire weather outlooks are minimal today, but there is a chance for some dry t'storms across the front range of the Rockies.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/PIC 2-1783174688088.jpg">This is especially important as we move towards the 4th of July, as it's possible to continue these fire conditions into the weekend.<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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Dave Holder

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While upper-level ridging dominates the weather pattern across the eastern half of the country, thunderstorm development has remained possible along the southern periphery. You can see it in the pattern of severe storm reports on Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-03-29 060538-1782995247093.png">As heat and humidity build each day, thunderstorm development will remain possible on the edge of high pressure. The main threat being straight-line damaging winds; gusts over 60mph will be possible. With locations like Nashville expecting a feels-like temperature over 110 degrees, there will be lots of instability for these storms to work with!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1783042964218.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-02 161524-1783030532244.png"> While not directly underneath the heat dome, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/dangerous-stretch-of-heat-leads-us-to-the-4th">strong heat and humidity</a> have helped to fuel the storms.

Jesse Kelley

Muggy and Stormy in the South

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Kevin Schneider

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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">

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

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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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The Storm Prediction Center has issued a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for portions of Minnesota, northern Iowa, and western Wisconsin. Hail will be the main threat but damaging winds will also be likely. This follows hail from the same system on Monday in the Dakotas.The peak of storm activity will be associated with warmer afternoon temperatures before letting up by the evening. Storms continue into the overnight hours, as more moisture and energy arrive from the west.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/05/mnstorms-1685490007006.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Forecast rainfall totals will be locally higher where stronger storms are expected to move through. Currently, there is a risk of excessive rain that may lead to localized flooding. Since there is a persistent and slow-moving pattern, some storms are capable of producing up to 3" of rainfall. This would be good news for the drought in western Iowa.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/05/rainfall-1685461597072.jpg">More on this story can be watched live at :30 minutes past the hour during the Central Regional forecast. Join us!

Strong Storms for Minnesota & Iowa

Eastern U.S. Severe Threat

Strong thunderstorms continue to impact the e

Persistent Heat Dome to Keep Much of the Eastern U.S. Sweltering Through the Holiday Weekend

An expansive ridge of high pressure will cont

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains for the 4th of July

Strong storms rocked the Midwest and Plains a

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

The Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colo

Muggy and Stormy in the South

While upper-level ridging dominates the weath

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

Early in the season, we watch closer to the c

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

As Summer settles in across the Central U.S.,