WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Several frontal systems will cross the country over the next few days, leading to severe weather risks in their associated regions, along with flood potential.<h1>Severe Weather Outlooks</h1>Fronts on Friday will target the Plains/Midwest, as well as the South. The Midwest front will shift east on Saturday, with severe weather chances in the Lake Erie/Ohio Valley Region, as well as in Arkansas. Fronts across the Rockies will begin to create severe weather threats on Saturday that persist into Sunday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787365445668.png"><h1>Friday's Focus</h1>An isolated tornado threat persists across parts of the Upper Midwest in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Have a few ways to receive weather alerts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-21 072730-1787318868088.png">Significant hail and wind threats have been outlines on Friday across Nebraska and Kansas. Gusts could top 75 mph for areas in blue, while areas in purple could see hail bigger than golf balls (2"+ diameter).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787365625231.png"><h1>Storm Timing</h1><h2>Plains / Front Range</h2>As the cold front slides southward into Nebraska and Kansas, it will produce severe storms capable of the large hail and gusty winds. Saturday's threat shifts west, with storms bubbling up in the mountains by midday, pushing into the Plains through the afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/BARON 5-1787365769935.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Southeast</h2>Some overnight storms are possible across the Carolinas and in the Southern Plains. Thunderstorms across the Central Plains will move down into Oklahoma and Texas for Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/BARON 5-1787365931925.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flooding</h1>Watch for areas of isolated to scattered flooding over the next few days in many of the same areas severe storms are expected. Monsoon storms in the Southwest will still present a daily threat for isolated/scattered flash flooding.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-21 07-22-17-1787318565187.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on your top weather headlines, watch WeatherNation live on-air or online!

Jesse Kelley

Severe Storms Stick Around the Country This Week

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Tracey Anthony

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As we get through the work week, high pressure returns westward to the Desert Southwest. Extreme Heat Warnings (in pink) have been issued for cities including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Yuma. Heat Advisories (in orange) have been issued across the Valley of California.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 4-1787355127895.png">We started the week with plenty of triple digits across the Southwest, and the heat will continue through the weekend. Temperatures will run above average for folks across an already hot Southwest into next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 3-1787355117121.png"><h2>Storm Threat</h2>With a high-pressure system sliding in, we'll manage to pick up some moisture, increasing the heat index and the chance for some storms for the Four Corners throughout the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/FORECAST-1787354975091.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on this, be sure to join us:50 past the hour for your west regional forecast.

Patrick Crawford

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms Return to the Southwest

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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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<h1>TROPICAL STORM MOKE</h1>Just days after Hurricane Lala impacted Hawaii, another system has formed in the Central Pacific. Tropical storm Moke has formed and could bring some wind and rain to Hawaii. It is gaining in organization as it heads west northwest. A ridge of high pressure will continue to steer it west. It will gradually strengthen through the weekend, before likely passing south of Hawaii. Still, high surf, gusty winds and heavy rain are possible. Interests in Hawaii should watch model track trends in the coming days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 4-1787355315253.png">Early forecasts expect the earliest arrival of tropical storm force winds Saturday afternoon into Sunday. The probabilities remain low with the track likely staying south. Heavy rainfall is a more likely threat. The Big Island could see 15"+ of rainfall. These are early forecasts, so please continue to check in for more details.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061654-1787318546877.png"><h1>HURRICANE LALA</h1>Lala did not make a direct landfall on the Hawaiian Islands but it still brought significant impacts. Rainbow Falls in Hawaii saw a large surge of water compared to what it typically looks like (above).The Hawaii Department of Transportation reported that parts of Highway 11 on the Big Island were shut down due to flooding. More than 130,000 customers lost power Saturday at the height of the storm. As the storm moves west-northwest, expect conditions to slowly improve as the blustery showers back off. WeatherNation's field correspondent, Jonathan Petramala, was there bringing the views on the ground.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088807962383143316" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088807962383143316"></div>Totals for rainfall exceeded 30+ for many locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 101407-1786983268612.jpg"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2089171101914223009" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2089171101914223009"></div>Lala briefly strengthened to a category 4 hurricane. It is not expected to bring any additional impacts to land as it continues to move over open Pacific waters. It will steadily weaken in the coming days.Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Tropical Storm Moke Has Formed in the Pacific; Impacts to Hawaii Possible.

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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.

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El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in the Atlantic this summer, with three named storms to date but only 16% of average cyclone energy! 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. Right on que, we are seeing 3 areas of potential development in the Atlantic Basin. Even though the chances are low at the moment, we will continue to monitor the tropical conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 3-1787356329358.png">The Climate Prediction Center was actually hinting at some development in the far eastern Atlantic waters next week. There's a good chance something could form. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/pic4-1787361633063.png">Here is a look at what 2 different forecast models are showing for that potential development next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/pic4-1787361896418.png">Stay tuned...this is the time of the year when the Atlantic Waters can get a little rowdy.

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Next Week

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A ridge of high pressure has dominated the southern U.S., with multiple records being broken daily. Miami, Florida, saw a record high of 100° on Tuesday, tying the previous record of 100° set in 1942. This is only the second time Miami has reached this temperature since records began in 1895! More records were broken on Wednesday. The heat alerts will remain in place across the south through Friday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061724-1787319111166.png">Feels-like temperatures remain dangerously hot across the central and southern United States. Many areas will feel like 110-115 in the afternoon. Charleston will have a high of 94 on Thursday, but a feels-like temperature of 112°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787277519466.png">But into the weekend, relief is on the way for some across the Southeast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062145-1787319192505.png">Many cities across the South will be challenged in their attempts to break records, as this high-pressure system dominates. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062205-1787319147507.png">Heat alerts are in place across the Southwest too. This includes Las Vegas, Phoenix, and parts of California.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-20 071601-1787231776550.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787277566043.png">

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

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Brittany Lockley

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A stormy end to the week is taking shape for parts of the eastern U.S., where rounds of thunderstorms will bring torrential rain, localized flash flooding, damaging winds, and tornadoes.&nbsp;Thursday, storms produced significant damage across parts of Delaware and Pennsylvania. In Dover, a tornado hit, causing damage throughout the city. A high school near Lancaster, PA had its roof ripped off. Friday, storm surveys will be performed to assess some of the damage.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VON_082026_RNE_DOVER, DE_DRIVING THROUGH THE DAMAGE IN DOVER_FB_CAITLIN HARVEY_BH_082016-1787279216568.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VO_082026_RNE_YORK, PA_DAMAGE TO EASTERN YORK HIGH SCHOOL_YORK EMS_BH_082026-1787279282869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Showers and storms will linger into early Friday morning over areas of the Mid-Atlantic. The severe risk will diminish for the morning, and then the risk picks up during the afternoon and evening.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/FORECAST-1787270277549.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Urban communities will be particularly vulnerable. Heavy downpours can quickly overwhelm storm drains, leaving streets, underpasses, and other low-lying areas flooded. Areas that experience multiple storms could see the flooding risk increase as the ground becomes increasingly saturated.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 2-1787274133924.jpg">A cold front moving east will provide the trigger for showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. With plenty of moisture available, some storms will be capable of producing a large amount of rain in a short period of time.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-20 080419-1787234676441.png">Friday, the focus for heavier rainfall and thunderstorms is expected to extend from parts of Virginia and North Carolina toward the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of South Carolina.&nbsp;Severe storms could extend all the way down to the Gulf Coast for Friday afternoon and evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-21 040323-1787306617672.png">The front could linger near the East Coast rather than quickly clearing the region, allowing additional showers and storms to develop into the start of the weekend. Several inches of rain could accumulate in some locations, especially where thunderstorms repeatedly track over the same areas.&nbsp;If a roadway is covered by water, drivers should turn around and find another route. The depth of floodwater can be difficult to determine, and even relatively shallow moving water can create hazardous conditions for vehicles.&nbsp;Tune into WeatherNation TV for more details.

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

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Kevin Schneider

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MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in the Midwest, today we enjoy a break from the relentless rainfall. However, many remain under flood watches and warnings as rivers remain swollen.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088604118151479464" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088604118151479464"></div>FLOOD THREATAdditional rainfall could increase the risk of flash flooding across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Appalachian region. As the front works through, some localized flooding will be possible overnight. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/OVERNSSSS-1787016460932.png"><h2>Overnight Severe Threat</h2>The Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service have issued a severe thunderstorm watch through tonight across the Southern Appalachians. The SPC has us under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms through the overnight hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 193201-1787016747073.png">

Alana Cameron

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

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A 67-year-old man in Russellville, Arkansas has died from a lightning strike Friday. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/courieronline/posts/10156415968522488">According to a Facebook post from the Russellville Courier</a>, the man was outside doing yard work when he was struck. The post goes on to say that he was transported to the hospital but pronounced dead on arrival. His name has not been released as of Friday night.

<img class="size-full wp-image-93673" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/07/Capture-6.jpg" alt="" width="1868" height="1028" /> The radar imagery at 12 p.m. Friday, July 6.

From a meteorological standpoint, the thunderstorms that allegedly caused this lightning fatality popped up very quickly. The image above is at noon Friday where the radar over Russellville, AR was quiet.

<img class="size-full wp-image-93674" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/07/Capture2-4.jpg" alt="" width="1859" height="1026" /> The radar imagery at 1:06 p.m. Friday, July 6

The storm near Russellville first started to show up on the radar around 12:26 p.m. By 1:06 p.m. it was producing lightning. At 1:23 p.m. the National Weather Service office in Little Rock, Arkansas issued a Significant Weather Advisory for Russellville and several other towns. The lightning fatality occurred at some point between 1 and 2 p.m. and the NWS estimates near 1:30 p.m. based on radar data.

<img class="size-full wp-image-93675" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/07/Capture3-3.jpg" alt="" width="1881" height="1034" /> The radar imagery near 2 p.m. Friday, July 6

We show you the hour-by-hour radar imagery to show you how quickly some storms pop up and how quickly lightning can develop within these growing storms. This storm first showed up on radar around 12:26 p.m. and within 30-40 minutes it was producing dangerous lightning. We urge you to be weather aware and monitor your surroundings when outside this summer. We can't speak to the circumstances with this particular lightning fatality in Arkansas because we don't know the  whole story, but we urge you to please seek shelter if you see lightning or hear thunder.

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The lightning incident in Arkansas Friday came one day after a deadly strike in Missouri Thursday. It marks the fourth lightning-related fatality in two weeks. July is historically the deadliest month regarding lightning strikes.

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Remember these helpful tips from the National Weather Service for thunderstorms!

<img class="size-full wp-image-93678" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/07/images_wrn_social_media_2017_Lightning_Do_and_Dont.png" alt="" width="768" height="768" /> Courtesy NOAA/NWS

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier

Arkansas Man Struck by Lightning Dies Friday

Severe Storms Stick Around the Country This Week

Several frontal systems will cross the countr

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms Return to the Southwest

As we get through the work week, high pressur

Tropical Storm Moke Has Formed in the Pacific; Impacts to Hawaii Possible.

TROPICAL STORM MOKEJust days after Hurricane

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Next Week

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

A ridge of high pressure has dominated the so

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

A stormy end to the week is taking shape for

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in t