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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<h1>SETUP</h1><p>An upper-level low broke off from the flow aloft earlier this week, and that same low was being monitored by the National Hurricane Center for Tropical development as early as Wednesday morning. Now a subtropical storm named Josephine has formed.</p><h1>JOSEPHINE FORECAST</h1><p>Josephine formed Wednesday afternoon as a subtropical storm. That means this storm is not forming and churning because of warm sea surface temperatures. Subtropical means this storm is using warm water, but it also has cold air aloft that it's using to grow and increase in intensity. A way of noticing a subtropical storm is no well-defined eyewall.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/fjsjsssss-1792633320368.png"></p><h3>FORECAST WAVE HEIGHTS</h3><p>Wave heights between 10-20 feet will be possible at times, making for dangerous conditions.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/fjajjffff-1792633390267.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h1>IMPACTS</h1><p>High winds with Josephine will wear down many beaches along the eastern seaboard. What's of most concern are the beaches in North Carolina, which stick out farthest, and places like Virginia, which will have to endure days of breezy winds agitating the seas. Waves of 10-15 feet can be expected, which will help push a few feet of seawater onshore into normally dry stretches of the coast.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-20 050623-1792494397482.png"></p><p>Wind gusts could reach 40-50 mph at times throughout the week as well. The questions about rainfall hinge on the location of the low. At this time, only areas along the coast could get a few showers, with the best chance looking like Wednesday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-21 054357-1792583048244.png">More updates on this evolving setup will be coming up all day and night on WeatherNation.</p><h1></h1>

Sub-Tropical Josephine Becomes Tenth Atlantic Named Storm

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<h3>WHAT TO EXPECT</h3><p>A ridge of high pressure will build this week, keeping temperatures above average across the central U.S. Temperatures across the south will run 5°-10° above average, but in the northern Plains and Midwest, 10°- 20° above average! This will make for some warm weather for any fall activities you have planned.</p><h3>NORTHERN PLAINS AND MIDWEST:</h3><p>Temperatures will be quite warm in this part of the country over the next few days. Most cities will see highs in the upper 60s and 70s! Rapid City normally averages 58°, but on Thursday it will reach 81° and even warmer on Friday!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/pic6-1792617394670.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/pic5-1792617499188.png">As we look ahead through the end of October, there is high confidence that much of the country will remain above average. That looks to include and Trick or Treaters if the pattern holds up!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/pic4-1792617661505.png"></p>

Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

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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>Looking ahead to this week, a low-pressure system will drop south from Canada down into Southern California. WPC favors most of the Western United States for above-average precipitation, which is good news after the fires that broke out across Southern California last week.</p><h2>FORECAST TIMING</h2><p>Storms continued to fire up today, bringing damaging winds, large hail and even tornado warned storms. The severe threat will continue into the overnight hours.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/ddsss-1792633930372.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h2>SEVERE STORMS</h2><p>There are two areas to watch out for in relation to severe storms on Wednesday. There is an <strong>Enhanced</strong> risk for severe storms across Central Arizona. The enhanced is due to significant hail potential, along with isolated to scattered tornadoes, and strong damaging winds. There is also a <strong>Marginal</strong> risk for severe weather across Southern California. Isolated tornadoes and damaging winds will be possible here.</p><p>A <strong>marginal to slight </strong>risk for severe weather will stick around through Thursday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/jfjfjfs-1792633774736.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/thssss-1792633814786.png"></p><h2>EXCESSIVE RAINFALL &amp; SNOW</h2><p>The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has a <strong>slight</strong> to <strong>moderate</strong> risk for heavy rainfall and flooding across portions of the Southwest Wednesday and Thursday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/sss-1792633891340.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Precipitation should really get going on Wednesday, especially in Central and Southern California. Throughout the week, the precipitation will slide eastward into the Four Corners. Thankfully, these alerts die off by Friday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-21 053604-1792582578918.png">This event could bring some snowfall to the Sierra Nevada. This also means some decent totals for the Rockies as well! Our in-house models suggest some isolated spots getting up to a foot by Friday!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-21 083620-1792593389713.png">For all the latest details, tune into the West Regional forecast every hour, at :50 past the hour.</p>

Severe Weather & Heavy Rainfall Aims for the West This Week

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hurricanes in the Atlantic, but how will the rest of the season shape up? Record-breaking wind shear is likely to continue to limit most tropical systems in the Atlantic, but a few more storms are still possible.</p><h3><strong>Tropical Storm Vance </strong></h3><p>Tropical Storm Vance has formed in the Eastern Pacific, south of Mexico. It is expected to strengthen to a major hurricane over open waters. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/fssss-1792634265538.png"></p><p>There is another area of tropical interest brewing west of the Hawaiian Islands. Right now it has a low chance of tropical development in the next 7 days.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/xxxvvvv-1792634313317.png"></p><h1><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">El Nino Fueling Pacific Activity</span></strong></h1><p>The Eastern Pacific has set a new record for the most energetic season since record-keeping began. The ACE has surpassed 318, which was the previous record set in 2018.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">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.</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-28 194202-1790646127358.png"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">This year’s El Nino has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 063433-1789216512410.png"></p>

Tropical Storm Vance Forms In The Pacific

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<p>Santa Ana winds helped several fires grow quickly on Thursday and Friday around Southern California, forcing a closure on I-5 near Camp Pendleton. Unfortunately, more fires grew on Friday, one of which was the Norte Fire near San Juan Capistrano. Evacuation orders remain for the Norte Fire and the Bryson Fire. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/"><strong><u>Check on the latest status with CalFire</u></strong></a>. Santa Ana winds are expected to continue into Saturday before backing off into Sunday. Warm and dry conditions are also increasing the fire danger. Power is being shut off to prevent additional fires from getting started, primarily in areas around northern Los Angeles into the Simi Valley and surrounding mountain communities. Weather conditions will help in containment efforts moving forward.</p><p><strong>Bryson Fire: </strong>146 acres, 74% contained. This fire began in Los Angeles County near Encinal Canyon Rd. in Malibu on Thursday, Oct. 15.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2110928718306615510" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2110928718306615510"></div><p><strong>Norte Fire: </strong>570 acres, 60% contained. The Norte fire began in Orange County, right along the border between San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. This fire started on Friday, October 16th. Orange County fire officials say six homes have been damaged or destroyed. The burn scar remains an active fire hazard area and is closed until further notice.</p><p></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2111192490997125311" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2111192490997125311"></div><p><strong>Henderson Fire: </strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">3,260 acres, 85% contained. This was the largest of the fires that broke out. The Henderson fire began on Thursday afternoon near Camp Pendleton. The fire forced closures of north and southbound lanes of I-5 as it grew rapidly. All evacuation orders are now lifted.</span></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2111479851412832613" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2111479851412832613"></div><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-18 183715-1792370245286.png">Fire Outlook</h1><p>There is a <strong>Elevated</strong> risk for fire danger across portions of Northern California, Nevada, and Southeastern Oregon on Monday. A strong trough is dropping down the coast today, kicking up the winds in these locations.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-19 073620-1792417058638.png">Keep checking with WeatherNation for more updates on the California wildfires.</p>

Tracey Anthony

Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

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<p>Across portions of the Ohio Valley through the Mid-Atlantic, temperatures will be cool to start your Monday morning. There are widespread frost and freeze alerts for temperatures into the 30s.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-18 185729-1792371454398.png">Ridge of high pressure builds back in by Wednesday, bringing temperatures back above average across the central U.S.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-18 185752-1792371502912.png">Temperatures start to climb on Wednesday and will continue to stay warm through the work week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-18 185829-1792371519268.png">It's not just the south, the north will climb well above normal too. Minneapolis will reach the 70s when temperatures should be under 60 by now.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-18 185834-1792371541054.png">The longer-range outlook holds on to a higher confidence that temperatures will remain above normal through the end of October across a large portion of the country.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-18 190004-1792371633934.png">Tune into WeatherNation :10 past the hour for more on your eastern regional forecast.</p>

Kevin Schneider

Another Cold Morning Before Things Warm Back Up

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<p></p><h1>Severe Storm Potential</h1><p>Severe risk is decreasing into Saturday morning. Some lingering storms still could produce some heavy rain and strong winds as the cold front departs the region.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 4-1792198726852.png"></p><h1>Timing</h1><p>You can see the lingering storms through the first half of Saturday into the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast. Some rain could be heavy enough to impact travel and produce some isolated flash flooding.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/FORECAST-1792198978545.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h1>Cooler Air</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 4-1792198992928.png"></p><p>Temperatures will drop quickly behind the front, dropping into the 40s for highs this weekend parts of the Northeast and Great Lakes!</p><p></p>

Rob Bradley

Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

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The lack of significant rainfall in Amarillo, Texas continues to be a concern.  In fact, the last significant rainfall occurred almost 6 months ago!  Rainfall of 1.04 inches was observed at Amarillo International Airport on October 5, 2017.  Since then, only a quarter-inch of rain has fallen.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-89385" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/amarillo-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Looking ahead, there is a chance for a few rain showers Tuesday.  Unfortunately, the chance for rain is less than 50% and totals will be very light.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-89390" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Tue_8am-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-89389" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Tue_10pm-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Beyond Tuesday, Amarillo can expect dry weather into the weekend.  Temperatures will remain near and above normal.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-89384" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/7day-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Sadly, the rainfall deficit isn't just confined to West Texas.  Many areas throughout the Southern Plains and Four Corners are dealing with extreme drought.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-89388" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Drought-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

With no rain, the earth's vegetation dries out and the risk of grass fires and wildfires increases.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-89386" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Fire_Tue-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

For more top weather stories, be sure to follow WeatherNation on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/WeatherNation">Twitter</a>.

-<a href="http://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistJoeAstolfi">Meteorologist Joe Astolfi</a>

Amarillo Drought Continues

Sub-Tropical Josephine Becomes Tenth Atlantic Named Storm

SETUPAn upper-level low broke off from the fl

Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

WHAT TO EXPECTA ridge of high pressure will b

Severe Weather & Heavy Rainfall Aims for the West This Week

Looking ahead to this week, a low-pressure sy

Tropical Storm Vance Forms In The Pacific

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Santa Ana winds helped several fires grow qui

Another Cold Morning Before Things Warm Back Up

Across portions of the Ohio Valley through th

Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Storm PotentialSevere risk is decreasi