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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Time to wax the skis and grab the winter gear, skiing is back for the season in the United States. Arapahoe Basin became the first major ski area in the country to open for the season on October 28th, with Keystone just behind, opening on Friday the 30th.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-30 132247-1793389841718.png"> While the snow guns have had some help from mother nature so far this fall, a big storm system will roll through this weekend with heavy snow and gusty winds, but also with warm temperatures that will limit snow to high elevations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-30 133639-1793389660493.png">A big trough will spin through the Rockies Saturday through Monday before ejecting into the Plains with severe weather potential. Pacific moisture will be pumped in from a storm system farther south, allowing for flooding around the Four Corners, but also heavy snow above 9,000-10,000 feet. You read that right, snow levels will still be WAY up there, but where it will snow, it will be heavy. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-30 134628-1793389914270.png">Thankfully for the ski areas open this weekend, they have very high base elevations, with Keystone around 9,300 feet, but A-Basin and WOlf Creek are even higher, over 10,000 feet! Snow will start coming down heavily through Sunday morning, persisting well into Monday. Gusty winds could cause issues, however, with gusts over 40-50 mph possible at higher elevations. Chair lifts may need to be shut down for the gustiest of times.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/FORECAST-1793404496750.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy snow will fall where ski resorts and areas have yet to open, but it will provide a nice base for higher elevation areas. Mountain travel could be difficult at times this weekend, especially in higher elevations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-30 133617-1793389969455.png">

Patrick Crawford

Skiing Opens in the Rockies, Heavy Snow on the Way

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Kevin Schneider

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Hopefully the costume's picked out by now, the candy receptacle is made or purchased, and physical conditioning is in peak form! It's the week of Halloween, which has all of the spooky lovers in a good mood. The only thing that might get in the way is Mother Nature.<h1>TREATS</h1>Here is how temperatures are shaping up as kids are heading out for some goodies. Jackets will likely be needed with costumes across the Northeast and the Northwest. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/pic6-1793394324970.png">Roughly, a line from the Front Range into the High Plains should be good to go if the timing/placement of this ridge is nailed down. That means we just have to prepare for the festivities, with some help from the Red Cross<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-26 080023-1793024061010.png">TRICKS</h1>This is where things get...tricky. Right now, the two different areas that are of some concern are the Southern Plains and the West. Another strong trough will pour onshore late in the week, keeping things out west pretty active. Ahead of that trough, plenty of moisture will get pulled north out of the Gulf, which could help fuel stronger storms, depending on how things come together.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/2026-10-28 07-16-00-1793193391574.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Along and downstream of that feature rippling through the Midwest and eventually the Mid-Atlantic might want to watch the timing on things, just to be sure an umbrella doesn't need to become a part of the costume too. It's too soon to know if it'll be a washout that affects plans all day or splash-n-dash storms that pick on a particular timeframe.<h1>FALL BACK</h1>Also, remember to set the clocks back an hour going into Sunday. Otherwise, you'll be waking up an hour early when you could have been sleeping off the candy coma instead. Might be a good weekend to replace the batteries in the smoke detectors and weather radios, too!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-26 080329-1793024897195.png">Or maybe take the day to ease into a new way of life, with sunsets closer to 5:00. Although latitude has something to do with it, location within your timezone has a lot to say too.

HALLOWEEN 2026: Is the weather a Trick or a Treat?

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The Southwest is getting active once again, just a week after the region experienced extreme river flooding, hail, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weather.gov/fgz/text-product?site=FGZ&amp;product=PNS">even tornadoes</a>. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2114696042398761025" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2114696042398761025"></div>A trio of low pressure systems will swing through the Southwest starting on Friday, lasting through the weekend, bringing several rounds of rain, storms, and snow to the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-29 063736-1793277472792.png">Heavy rain is expected to create a widespread threat for flash flooding. Flood watches have been issued and the WPC (Weather Prediction Center) has issued outlooks for scattered to numerous flash flood events through Sunday. A moderate risk has been issued for Sunday that includes areas around the San Juans of Colorado and through the San Juan River Basin through Farmington and Ship Rock. Theses areas saw record breaking river levels and terrible flash flooding the previous weekend, leaving the region susceptible again.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/FORECAST-1793404122576.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Severe weather chances will be back into Mexico and West Texas on Sunday. Here is the latest outlook from the Storm Prediction Center.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 4-1793404224967.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>This could mean a soggy and cold Halloween for Trick or Treaters on Saturday. There looks to also be some snowfall accumulation for the higher elevations. Specifically, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado look to get some fresh snowfall. Check out the latest forecast!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/FORECAST-1793404331836.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 4-1793404376394.png">More on your Western Regional Forecast can always be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Another Round of Heavy Rain Targets the Southwest This Weekend

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Brittany Lockley

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A surge of tropical moisture associated with the remnants of Vance (EPAC) is increasing the threat of heavy rainfall and flash flooding across portions of Texas as the state prepares for Halloween.&nbsp;Even a tornado near Uvalde, TX Thursday gave locals a scary sight.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2115960860254642544" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2115960860254642544"></div>Moisture streaming northward from the remnant tropical system is expected to interact with Gulf moisture, creating favorable conditions for widespread showers and thunderstorms. Some communities could experience repeated rounds of heavy rain, increasing the potential for flooding in vulnerable areas.&nbsp;Flood watches are in effect for the western half of Texas.Keep up with WeatherNation LIVE for the latest on Flash Flood Warnings: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dDyjHc8DkA">YouTube LIVE STREAM</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-30 070255-1793365386255.png">Most of the storms will move from West to East Texas by Friday night. After a brief break, a wave of energy from the Four Corners will sweep through early Saturday. Trick-or-Treating should be fine for much of West Texas, as it should all move out by Saturday night. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/tx-1793365981551.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Additional rainfall totals of up to an inch are possible across parts of the region, with locally higher amounts where thunderstorms repeatedly develop over the same locations. These heavier downpours could overwhelm drainage systems and cause rapid rises in creeks, streams and low-lying roadways.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-30 070850-1793365759127.png">Flash flooding remains one of the most dangerous weather-related threats because water levels can rise quickly, sometimes with little warning. Motorists should never attempt to cross water-covered roads, as even relatively shallow moving water can sweep vehicles away.&nbsp;

Flash Flood Concerns Across Texas Ahead of Halloween

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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NEW HOME, JAMAICA - October 28, 2025, will be remembered as the day the island of Jamaica changed forever. Hurricane Melissa slammed into the western side of the island with 185 mph sustained winds, flattening areas of the island. Agencies have been reporting that insurance payments have been slow over the past year, leaving a shortfall of capital heading into what is the peak season for tourism there.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-28 065457-1793192735289.png">Hurricane Melissa devastated islands in the Caribbean in late October in 2025. Four months later, the National Hurricane Center has completed the post-storm analysis of Melissa, finding that the winds reached 190 mph, tying it with Hurricane Allen for the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin's history.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-28 070552-1793192770453.png">The folks at the National Hurricane Center concluded that Melissa reached a central pressure of 892 mb at its strongest, which lashed the western side of Jamaica with high winds, incredible storm surge, and prolonged rainfall. All of these factors contributed to 95 known fatalities as of the report, released February 26, 2026.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 095044-1772038470377.png">The origins trace back to a tropical wave emerging off of the western coast of Africa on October 13th. By midnight on the 26th, Melissa had rapidly developed into a major hurricane. With weak steering, the forecast track was HIGHLY uncertain. Even with this uncertainty, the forecast track was incredibly accurate by the National Hurricane Center (below)<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 095418-1772038476153.png">What's going to gain more attention is the upgrade to 190 mph winds. According to the National Hurricane Center, even though they didn't directly observe the winds specifically:<blockquote>"Based on a blend of satellite estimates, flight-level wind and dropsonde data"</blockquote>This ties it with Hurricane Allen from 1980, which was the previous strongest hurricane recorded in the Atlantic Basin.In March, the World Meteorological Organization <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/wmo-retires-the-name-melissa-following-devastating-impacts-last-fall">announced they were</a> retiring the name in the wake of the devastation. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-28 065440-1793193323670.png">The storm also produced the strongest wind gust ever recorded: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/hurricane-melissa-produces-strongest-gust-recorded-in-a-hurricane">Watch Here</a>Official Report from the National Hurricane Center: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL132025_Melissa.pdf">READ IT HERE</a> Josh Morgerman reliving Melissa: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/iCyclone/status/2009330402310381611?s=20">WATCH IT HERE</a>

Anniversary: Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica

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This week, the ocean is coming to low-lying areas near you! King tides are back for the next several months, which will lead to sunny day ocean water flooding for vulnerable areas at times. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2115058432051126377" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2115058432051126377"></div> The exact highest tide will vary for different locations, but through the end of the next several months, when the moon is nearly full, high and low tides will be elevated. In 2026 into 2027, this will occur during the end of the month, through January.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2115783209619210352" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2115783209619210352"></div><h1>What Causes King Tides?</h1>The Earth's orbit around the Sun is offset a bit, meaning the distance to the Sun varies throughout the year. The Earth's closest point to the Sun occurs in early January, meaning the gravitational effects of the Sun on the oceans increase through early January. When the moon is full and closer to the Earth (perigee), this adds another pull of gravity and increases the tides further. This will occur toward the end of October, November, December, and January, increasing the range of tides.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 053902-1792843085873.png">In October, the full moon occurs on the 26th while the moon's closest point to Earth happens just a few days later. This will help create some of the highest tides of the year for many areas along the U.S. East Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 054717-1792843101424.png"><h1>East Coast</h1><h2>Florida</h2>Coastal flood alerts are in effect for the Atlantic Coast of Florida, all the way up into Virginia. High tide flooding could leave vulnerable areas under a foot or two of water at times, leading to various impacts, including closed roads.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/WEB 1-1793279864445.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2115171683250344379" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2115171683250344379"></div>Florida's highest tide cycles of the fall season will occur in October and November, with the highest tides of October's cycle happened Tuesday morning. Low-lying areas will have several rounds of flooding this week, so it's best to avoid low-lying areas during high tide times.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/WEB 2-1793279914610.png"><h2>Carolinas</h2>The latest forecast is showing the tides are decreasing in height over the next few days. While this is good news, if you are traveling along the coast stay vigilant driving through flood waters!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/WEB 3-1793279979406.png"><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 055652-1792844169803.png">Mid-Atlantic &amp; Northeast</h2>Minor coastal flooding is expected in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast during the October cycle of king tides. Low-lying areas could see flooding inundate areas with about a foot of water. In New England, the highest tides should occur during the November and December cycles.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 061926-1792844685757.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 061930-1792844699823.png"><h1>West Coast</h1><h2>California</h2>California is already experiencing elevated tides due to El Niño and a surge of warm water up the coast, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/incoming-kelvin-wave-to-southern-california-one-piece-of-the-el-nino-puzzle">known as a Marine Kelvin Wave</a>. Several large wave events this fall have damaged numerous homes along the coast as well. As a result, King Tide impacts in California could be more significant this season compared to past years. Alerts have been issued from San Diego up past the Bay Area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/WEB 5-1793280107889.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 063244-1792845194824.png">The highest tides of the October cycle occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, though the highest tides of the year are expected in December.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/WEB 4-1793280080491.png"><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 061945-1792844713149.png">Oregon &amp; Washington</h2>The highest tides of the year for Washington and Oregon are expected later this year as well, during the December high tide cycle. A full "supermoon" will aid in making these tides quite impactful.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-24 063406-1792845257233.png">

Tracey Anthony

Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

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Things are getting active again after a long break from storms in the Midwest. A developing area of low pressure looks like it might have all of the ingredients to spin up a few tornadoes, some of which could even be strong later this afternoon.<h1>SETUP</h1>As this area of low pressure comes together, storms will ignite in the heat of the day. While it won't be Spring- or Summer-like energy to tap into, it looks like it will be just enough as temperatures make a run at record highs in Wisconsin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-28 041715-1793183302202.png">The biggest concerning ingredient is the amount of wind shear present, with winds at the surface out of the south or even southeast, turning to the southwest with height.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-28 041748-1793182843267.png">Storms are expected to be organized shortly after firing in the afternoon. Because of the high amounts of shear, all modes of severe weather will be on the table. That includes the potential for an EF-2+ tornado. Have ways to get alerts as we go through our Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-28 063732-1793191060076.jpg"><h1>Timing</h1>Because we're expecting storms to fire near the surface low, they might go up and become severe in a hurry. The severe threat is active now into the evening hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/BARON 5-1793224753314.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Jesse Kelley

Tornado Threat Develops Around the Twin Cities Today

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Minnesota has air quality concerns for the weekend. An Air Quality Alert has been issued for fine particulate matter across all of the state through midday Sunday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued this alert due to smoke from wildfires in western Canada continuing to impact the state's air quality.

The <a href="https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&amp;stateid=24&amp;mapcenter=0&amp;tabs=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air Quality Indices</a> (AQIs) will range from 101 to 150, which is a range where the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups of people - people with lung or heart disease, older adults and children that are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. These groups should limit their prolonged exertion, especially if outdoors or near a source of pollution.

<img class="wp-image-95266 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/AQI-Saturday-1.jpg" alt="Air Quality Concerns for Entire State of Minnesota" width="525" height="400" /> Source: AirNow.Gov

The forecast late Saturday into Sunday does call for improving air quality as wind speeds up and turns southwesterly, helping to clear the smoke out of the region.

For WeatherNation, I am Meteorologist <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/marcus-walter/">Marcus Walter</a>.

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