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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As we head into the work week, active weather will become favorable by Tuesday as a low-pressure system forms along a front to draw in Gulf moisture and possibly create severe storms. The severe risk will be very isolated to Texas, but the heavy rain risk will encompass a large coverage area. Here is the very latest.<h1>Set-Up</h1>A cold front will push into a moist and unstable atmosphere by Tuesday and early Wednesday morning. This will be the focus for training storms and flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/PIC1-1675607587651.JPG"><h1>Severe Risk (TUE - WED)</h1>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/">Storm Prediction Center</a> has issued a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms across southern Texas on Tuesday. Organized storms including a few supercells are possible throughout the day and then later organize into a line of storms later in the day. This means a risk of damaging winds will be possible. By Wednesday the cold front shifts east and brings another chance for severe storms Wednesday. Here are the very latest severe outlooks for Tuesday and Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/PIC3-1675684741337.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/PIC2-1675684683935.JPG"><h1>Forecast</h1>As we take an early look at the timing of this system, a low-pressure system will form along a frontal boundary and move through Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas to bring rain and storms throughout the day Tuesday. A limiting factor for the severity of storms will be the amount of cloud coverage we have throughout the day. Currently, the forecast looks to bring in more widespread cloud coverage, which may cap the atmosphere and limit the amount of diurnal heating to strengthen storms. This could limit the severity of severe thunderstorms. As this system moves east and north, Gulf moisture will continue to build and create showers and storms through the middle of the week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Forecast-1675684296584.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Rainfall &amp; Flooding Threat</h1>Based on the latest forecast here at WeatherNation, heavy rain will impact the Ark-La-Tex and up into the Mississippi River Valley.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/PIC3-1675684344100.JPG">The Weather Prediction Center has issued a slight risk for excessive rainfall for the ArkLaTex on Tuesday. Rainfall rates may reach 1-2" per hour at times bringing in over 2" rainfall totals. Some localized areas may see even more than that.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/PIC3-1675684374989.JPG">As we get closer to the event, we will have a much more detailed look at the severe risk. More updates on this forecast will come up in the Central Regional Forecast every hour at :30 past.

Heavy Rain and Severe Risk From the Gulf Coast to the Mid South This Week

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Dave Holder

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Winter alerts are in place for parts of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies for heavy snow and gusty winds, through Monday. Heavy snow could amount to more than 10" here, and blowing snow and tricky travel is possible due to the gusty winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675642815491.JPG">Through Monday, the Blue Mountains of Oregon could see up to 8-14" of total snow and 5-12" into the Cascades. Winds may also gust up to 45 mph. In addition, Winter Storm Watches have been posted in anticipation of the next system.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675655896491.JPG"><h1>Forecast Precipitation</h1>The heaviest precipitation will continue moving into the intermountain west through Monday morning. A brief lull in the precipitation is expected for some before our next low-pressure system moves into the Pacific coast.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/NW Fun-1675656021080.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video> Snowfall totals of up to a foot will be possible in the Cascades. Those who see warmer temps, and a rain event, can expect those rainfall totals of around an inch with isolated higher amounts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-05_RNW_forecast precip-1675625789029.png">Highs along the coast remain in the upper 40s and low 50s through early next week while inland communities drop to the 30s and 40s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-05_rnw_fcst highs-1675625816848.png">More details can be found :50 past the hour in your Western regional forecast, on WeatherNation.

Northwestern United States Rain and Snow

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Even though we just kicked a system out of the Northeast along with some brutally cold air, further systems will make their way across the area bringing additional rain and snow.Fast-moving clipper systems don't usually produce hefty snow amounts, and with this system, some of the higher totals will be around 3 to 5 inches. The timing for snow accumulations will be through Monday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/NYSnow-1675655740917.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Where we see the higher snowfall accumulation, we can see some slick conditions for your Monday morning commute. The highest snowfall totals look to be in Northern Maine. Light rain is also expected in eastern Massachusetts, along with Rhode Island and Long Island. This comes from a coastal low that will brush the shore.Look for a break in the precipitation for much of Monday, but the next wave will bring further chances Tuesday into Wednesday morning. With a much warmer air mass in place, much of this will fall as plain 'ol rain!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/clipper 2-1675627714341.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The highest accumulations of snow through the next few days will come across upstate New York and into northern New England. Look for mostly rain across western New York, and also out towards the New England coast, where a coastal low will bring heavy rain at times to parts of Long Island and the Cape.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675627755332.JPG">After a brutally cold start to the weekend with record-breaking low temperatures, daytime highs will return back to well above-average numbers!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675627974662.JPG">For more on the changing forecast ahead for the Northeast, join us for your top headlines and our eastern regional forecast, always :10 past the hour.

Warmer Temperatures but More Rain and Snow for the Northeast

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Lauren Bostwick grew up in the small town of Aledo, Texas. Her interests have always involved sports, science, and of course, the weather! After interning at KBTX in College Station, she graduated from Texas A&amp;M University with a B.S. in Meteorology. During her time at Texas A&amp;M she became efficient in many areas of meteorology such as analyzing the radar, detecting severe weather, and forecasting for different regions. Straight out of college, Lauren started her career as a Weekend Meteorologist and Multimedia Journalist at CBS7 in Odessa, Texas. Due to the large coverage area, she was responsible for forecasting for many types of terrain stretching from the Big Bend National Park to southeastern New Mexico. She has experienced reporting on a variety of severe weather events, such as tornadoes, disastrous flooding events, and the devastating February 2021 winter storm. Lauren is thrilled to be a part of the WeatherNation team. Say howdy to Lauren on <a href="https://twitter.com/LBostwickWX">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LBostwickWX">Facebook</a>!

Lauren Bostwick

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A wet Pacific system continues to move across California and the Great Basin, bringing rain and snow to the Four Corners into Monday. Travel impacts will primarily be limited to minor in the higher elevations, with over a foot of snow expected in some areas. Winter alerts have been issued for the I-15 and I-70 corridors in Utah for 8-18" of snow and gusty winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675643221703.JPG">Rain and snow are expected to move into Utah throughout Sunday and increase in intensity during the afternoon. Snow also expands into Colorado Sunday afternoon, with snow showers continuing into Monday around the Front Range.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/4corn-1675643354239.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The heaviest snow though Monday will likely be in the Wasatch and Uinta mountains of northern Utah. The San Juans and areas around Steamboat Springs in Colorado could also see accumulations top a foot in the highest elevations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/15-1675608397468.jpg">Travel along the mountain passes may be tricky at times, for example around the Vail area on I-70 for Sunday. Make sure you check road conditions before heading out! Temperatures will mostly be above average before the front passes, but then drop 5-10 degrees to start the week as cold air drains in behind the front.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675628649256.JPG">For the latest forecast in the Four Corners, tune in to the Western Regional, airing at 50 past each hour.

Flurries Fly in the Four Corners Into Monday

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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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After a few dry weeks in California, more systems are forecasted to impact the western U.S. and bring heavy snow back to the Sierra Nevada. This comes after a February 1 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/california-snowpack-update-highest-snow-reading-in-6-years">snowpack reading at the highest levels in 6 years</a> by the California Department of Public Resources.This system has brought strong winds to the area! Winds gusting to over 100 mph have been recorded across the higher peaks on Sunday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675643126825.JPG">Impacts from the heavy snow will be felt the most near Reno, Bridgeport, Bishop, and Lone Pine. This includes difficult travel over the Donner Pass, near Truckee along I-80 and the Hwy. 50 corridor west of South Lake Tahoe.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675642932518.JPG">While the system moves onshore there is the chance for strong thunderstorms through the foothills and coastline of California. Although widespread severe storms are not likely, a few storms could produce gusty downdraft winds and heavy downpours at times. Rain and snow will remain scattered behind the front, gradually tapering tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-05_rsw_sun 6pm-1675626124562.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-05_Rsw_sun 9pm-1675626133162.png">Model indications up to 6-8" of snowfall through the highest peaks by tonight. Although the highest snowfall totals will be in California, accumulating snow is possible all the way into the northern Four Corners.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-05_rsw_fcst precip sun 9pm-1675626118953.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest forecast and for the Western-specific regional forecast, always 50 past the hour.

Impactful Sierra Snow Continues Into Sunday Night

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Although the snow has cleared out, blowing snow has been causing difficult travel and limited visibility in Maine. A blizzard warning is in place for Northern Maine to account for this. In addition, wind chills will also be extremely dangerous.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/BLIZZARD WINTER ALERTS-1675526010059.jpg">We spoke to James Sinko from the National Weather Service in Caribou, Maine. Here he explains what makes this blizzard different.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/SOT_020323_TRT 0.51_WHAT MAKES THIS BLIZZARD SO DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS_RNE_CARIBOU, ME_KS_E020323-1675525880216.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Gusty winds and dangerous wind chills will be around today. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will be possible with wind chills reaching as low as 60 degrees below zero at times! In these conditions, frostbite is possible in minutes. This alert is in place until 7 pm this evening. Please use caution if going outside.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675533906550.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/wind chilllls-1675522258767.jpg">Blowing snow can cause whiteout conditions making travel very difficult to dangerous. Power outages will also be possible. If you must travel, please have a winter survival kit with you. Gusty conditions are forecast for today, with isolated gusts reaching 50 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/BLIZZARD GUSTS-1675522031264.jpg">For more info on this blizzard and more on the Northeast tune in :10 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Blizzard Impacts For Northern Maine

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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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The Northeast continues to experience some of the coldest temperatures on record for the region. Temperatures will be well below zero throughout New York and New England into Saturday afternoon, leading to the risk of damage from the cold (frozen pipes, burst pipes) and danger to people and pets. Wind chills have dropped to -39 in Boston and below -60 in parts of Maine.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-04 ME WCs-1675523505704.JPG">Check out some of the wind chills Friday through the Northeast (TOP OF PAGE), anywhere from the -30s to -60s. Mt. Washington, NH experienced a minimum wind chill of -108° Friday afternoon, unofficially the coldest on record in the country! Temperatures were in the -40s with winds 100+ mph at the time.With wind chills around -30 to -50 Saturday morning, frostbite can set in as quickly as 5 or 10 minutes on any exposed skin. Cover up any exposed skin before you venture outside, especially if you have to work outside, and try and limit time outdoors if possible. Layers, layers, and more layers!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-02 NE Wind Chill-1675428847747.JPG">It's not just wind chills, air temperatures are well below zero as well, with records already broken and more likely to fall throughout the day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675296330965.JPG">Boston's record low of -2° was set in 1886. Brr!! To the north closer to the Adirondacks of New York, temperatures of -25 degrees could rival records as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2-3 RNE rec low list-1675483047098.JPG">Highs on Saturday will be in the teens and single digits with gusty winds continuing to make those temperatures feel even colder.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/sat highs-1675459094284.JPG">In addition to starting the day Saturday with record cold lows, record cold high temperatures are also possible Saturday afternoon from Bangor, Maine south through Westfield, Massachusetts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2-3 RNE rec cold high list-1675483200541.JPG">The worst of the cold is through Saturday. The cold air moderates signifcantly on Sunday, thanks to southerly flow bringing up warmer air.Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the cold in your Eastern Regional Forecast, always :10 past the hour.

Life Threatening Cold in the Northeast Continues Saturday

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Many locations that are under a blizzard warning could still see whiteout conditions even after the snow stops falling.  

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The National Weather Service officially defines a blizzard as a storm which includes large amounts of falling OR blowing snow, with winds higher than 35 mph and visibilities less than 1/4 mile for an extended period of time (at least 3 hours). The National Weather Service will issue a “Blizzard Warning” when these conditions are expected.

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The heavy snow that fell across parts of the plains to end the weekend doesn’t by itself constitute blizzard conditions. The ingredients required for a blizzard are high wind and BLOWING snow.  We will have enough of that light, fluffy snow and the winds to blow it around even after the snow stops falling. This means that visibilities of less than ¼ mile and blowing and drifting snow could impact your Monday right through Monday evening.  

Mike Morrison