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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Severe weather looks to return to parts of the Plains and Midwest this week as a big western trough cuts into record warmth to the east. As these air masses clash, tropical moisture from Simon will be pulled north, adding fuel for storms and downpours.<h1>Outlook &amp; Timing</h1>The fronts begin to clash Tuesday afternoon from Texas through Illinois. The SPC has issued a large marginal risk for Tuesday (level 1 threat) with a slight risk (scattered severe storms) issued from western Kansas through the Texas Panhandle. Hail will likely be a bigger threat early in the day, with a few tornadoes possible. Storms could develop into storm complexes, with wind threats increasing by the evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 120402-1791828246584.png">Scattered showers will kick the day off but will gain enough energy by the afternoon for severe storms to form. Storm coverage will likely increase gradually, then larger clusters will take over during the evening and overnight hours. Additional rounds of severe storms and heavy rain look to persist in the Plains and Midwest through at least Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/fssfaaaa-1791853612944.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With a multi-day storm threat in the area, we can't rule out some more severe storms on Wednesday. A MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe weather remains in place for areas in the Southern Plains and Texas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 120543-1791828348807.png"><h1>Flood Threat</h1>With the added moisture from Simon in the Pacific, heavy rainfall rates appear likely at times Tuesday through Friday morning. Rain could fall at more than 2 inches per hour in some areas, with totals surpassing six inches in a few locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 120607-1791828373135.png">The heavy rainfall rates will present a risk for flash flooding/ The WPC is highlighting areas from central Missouri through west Texas with a level 2 risk (slight) for flash flooding for multiple days in a row!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/10121-1791828422505.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>These outlooks and the timing will change as we inch closer to Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to check back in for updates!

Jackie Brown

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

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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. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a low-pressure system near the Cabo Verde Islands, giving it a low chance to develop as it moves NNW. This system is not a threat to the United States.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 052652-1791804423820.png"><h1>Pacific Basin</h1>The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active so far this hurricane season and looks to continue to create additional activity through the next week. Several systems could bring impacts to the United States.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/90 90 -1791840202367.png"><h2>SIMON</h2>We also have Hurricane Simon, which formed Wednesday afternoon off the coast of Acapulco. Simon is an impressive hurricane, at one point a strong Category 4. It is currently Category 2 and will be riding up the coast, bringing major impacts to Mexico.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/simon churnngggg -1791840243103.png">Simon could potentially make landfall as a Category 2 storm by Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121835-1791829122652.png"><h1>El Niño Fueling Pacific Activity</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-08 104818-1791478116096.png">The Eastern Pacific has already hit records for the year being so active.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121954-1791829204234.png">The surge in tropical activity comes as El Niño continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific. El Niño 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-28 194202-1790646127358.png">This year’s El Niño has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 063433-1789216512410.png">

Tropics: Another Area in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

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Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico, but the moisture, wind, and coastal hazards have brought impacts across the southwest. Heavy rain has already prompted flash flooding, with elevated winds reportedly leading to some damaged trees. Remnants of Rachel are also significantly impacting the Southern California coastline.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2109372509783232854" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2109372509783232854"></div>The California coast remains under Coastal Flood Advisories through Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121608-1791828991428.png"><h1>Rain &amp; Flood Forecast</h1>The Remnants of Rachel brought heavy rainfall. Las Vegas saw 1.08" of rainfall on Sunday, breaking the old record of .78". This ties the all-time wettest October Day!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121715-1791829042950.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2109622612250988652" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2109622612250988652"></div>Some areas across the Southwest saw multiple inches of rain, with Rachel's remnants prompting numerous flash flood warnings on Sunday. The flood alerts remain in place through Monday as additional rainfall totals of 1-2 inches will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/flood watch todayyyy-1791840073709.png">Numerous and significant flash floods are possible for areas like Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, St. George, and Cedar City. There is a SLIGHT threat of heavy rainfall and flooding through Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121550-1791828954435.png">More on your Western Regional forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

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Kevin Schneider

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A strong upper-level trough digging south from the Gulf of Alaska will bring some noticeable changes to the weather pattern. Wind, snow, and fire weather are possible, and this pattern will last into early this week.<h1>Upper-Level Trough</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051918-1791803974115.png"><h1>Snowfall Totals</h1>After this weekend, Montana picked up quite a bit of snow with this system! Elk Peak got up to 19"!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 052056-1791804157531.png"><h1>Forecast Snowfall</h1>Our in-house model is showing significant snowfall further south through Thursday. In combination with some tropical moisture, a lot of what ends up in higher elevations, will fall as snow. As for now, we could see totals above a foot across the Rockies by the end of the week!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 123137-1791829901402.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation at :50 past the hour for your full Western U.S. breakdown!

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, FL, around 8:30 pm CT as a Category 2 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds were reported at 105 mph with a minimum central pressure of 971 mb.On Wednesday evening, Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. This breaks the decades-old record of the latest to form in the modern, satellite era.The storm got off to a slow start, but quickly strengthened Friday, becoming a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph. Although it weakened slightly as it came ashore, there are widespread reports of wind damage and power outages along the coast. Isaias is now a post-tropical cyclone as it continues moving northward into the Mid-South.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2108724199535919547" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2108724199535919547"></div><h1>Flooding/Storm Surge Recap</h1>Isaias brought heavy rainfall totals across the southeast. Heaviest totals stayed stuck down into Alabama and Florida, with Bellwood getting real close to that 13" mark!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051330-1791803624676.png">The flooding concerns extended down to the coastline. Places like Panama City Beach in Florida, say peak storm surge up to 5.5 feet!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051029-1791803632011.png"><h1>Severe Weather Recap</h1>Isaias made landfall as a strong category 2 hurricane. The max wind gusts definitely reflected that, with some spots across the Sunshine State picking up category 3 level wind gusts!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051502-1791803779120.png">The remnants of Isaias brought flooding and many severe storm reports. North Carolina saw numerous tornado and wind reports. Flash flooding was also a concern as the tropical moisture moved through.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/remnantssss -1791769459868.png">Stay tuned to the forecast here on WeatherNation. We'll bring you the details you need, and cut out all the hype.

Adrian Hernandez

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

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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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Deep tropical moisture streaming north from the Gulf is combining with a slow-moving front, setting the stage for widespread showers and thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast. Apalachicola, Florida, saw 7.49 inches of rain on Monday; this was the wettest October day on record! More heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible Thursday into Friday, along with an isolated tornado or two. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2107561532381090282" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2107561532381090282"></div>A stalled front is taking the moisture from Isaias and pulling it across Central and Northern Florida. For more info on Isaias and its impacts, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Gulf-Braces-For-Tropical-Impact">read here</a>.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/2026-10-08 09-10-32-1791472273083.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Some localized totals of 5-6 inches of rain will be possible. Watch out for localized flash flooding and ponding on the roads in the usual spots.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-08 085923-1791472325822.png">In addition to heavy rain, extra rotational energy from Isaias could spawn a few tornadoes on Thursday. Stay tuned to WeatherNation TV for additional details and live coverage.

Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

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Brittany Lockley

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A major temperature divide is unfolding across the United States as millions experience a true taste of fall while parts of the West continue to deal with summer-like heat.&nbsp;A surge of cooler air has spread across much of the central and eastern United States, sending temperatures tumbling and bringing some of the chilliest conditions of the season so far. Meanwhile, unusually hot weather continues across portions of the West Coast, where temperatures are running well above what is typical for early October.&nbsp;Summer Hangs On in the West&nbsp;While jackets are coming out farther east, residents across portions of the West are still dealing with significant heat.&nbsp;Temperatures across parts of California and the interior West are running roughly 10 to 15 degrees above average in some locations. Triple-digit temperatures have even been recorded in portions of Southern California despite the calendar moving deeper into October.&nbsp;Los Angeles experienced consecutive October days with temperatures reaching at least 100 degrees, highlighting the intensity of the unusual fall heat.&nbsp;The persistent warmth stretches beyond Southern California, with above-average temperatures extending through portions of the Great Basin and toward the northern Rockies.&nbsp;Over the next 3 days, many cities will be near, tie, or break the current records.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035357-1791366853404.png">Heat alerts remain in place through Friday. Los Angeles is under an extreme heat warning, meaning use caution if working outdoors and make sure to drink plenty of water.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035446-1791366898851.png">Check out temperatures in Los Angeles: the average high is normally 80°, but temperatures will flirt again with the century mark even in the next few days. Temperatures will remain in the upper 90s for Las Vegas, and Phoenix will dig into the 100s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035550-1791366965841.png">The Northwest will also be threatening record-high temperatures. High temperatures will stay hot in most of the cities in the Northwest. These highs will be anywhere from 10-15° above average.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035630-1791367010235.png">Meanwhile, in the Northeast, Fall Air Settles In&nbsp;A strong cold front has helped usher cooler, drier air into a large portion of the country. Behind the front, daytime temperatures are struggling to climb out of the 50s and 60s in some areas.&nbsp;The cooler air is especially noticeable during the overnight and early morning hours. Temperatures are dropping into the 30s and 40s across parts of the northern tier, Great Lakes and Northeast, creating the potential for frost in some of the coldest locations.&nbsp;For areas that have enjoyed a relatively warm start to fall, the change may feel especially dramatic.&nbsp;The arrival of the cooler air is also pushing temperatures below seasonal averages across portions of the central and eastern U.S., signaling a more traditional October weather pattern.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 040003-1791367220514.png">A Coast-to-Coast Temperature Contrast&nbsp;The dramatically different conditions are creating a weather map that looks more like two different seasons.&nbsp;Much of the East is experiencing crisp mornings, cooler afternoons, and increasing frost potential, while parts of the West remain firmly locked in a pattern more typical of late summer.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 040204-1791367341750.png">Eventually, the western heat is expected to ease as the weather pattern shifts. Until then, millions of Americans will continue experiencing very different versions of October depending on which side of the country they call home.Tune in to WeatherNation for the latest on this forecast and records that break throughout the days to come.

Fall Chill Grips the East While Record Heat Bakes the West

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The workweek ended with lots of damage across parts of South Dakota and Wyoming, here's a look at some of the Weather Watcher reports on Friday.

<img class="wp-image-93311" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/tornado-1-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="496" height="278" /> Damage from a tornado that moved along Highway 212 near the Wyoming/South Dakota State Line

https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/10156618345434874/

<img class="wp-image-93309" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/Capture-45-420x235.jpg" alt="" width="502" height="281" /> Damage from large hail in Deadwood, SD

https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/videos/10156618716174874/

<img class="wp-image-93310" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/Capture.JPG-d-420x235.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="280" /> Damage from hail in Lead, SD

https://twitter.com/i/status/1012905724899282944

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Destructive Hail, Tornadoes in the High Plains

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe weather looks to return to parts of th

Tropics: Another Area in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

A strong upper-level trough digging south fro

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, F

Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

Deep tropical moisture streaming north from t

Fall Chill Grips the East While Record Heat Bakes the West

A major temperature divide is unfolding acros