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>SET-UP</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 3-1780015341246.jpg">An upper low is sitting and spinning over the Great Basin out west. That puts our friends in the northwest on the northern side of this feature. Usually, you're looking at areas on the southern and eastern peripheries with the best dynamics for storms. Regardless, a strong corridor of winds is expected to spark storms each afternoon over the next few days.<h1>IMPACTS</h1>Check out some of the damaging wind reports from Thursday's storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 2-1780015303746.jpg">The wind threat will be the primary severe weather threat for Friday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1780061390025.png"><h1>TIMING</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/FORECAST-1780015366094.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Showers will be sporadic but strengthen each afternoon. Notice they'll rotate from east to west since we're staying north of the low spinning up these severe chances.

Patrick Crawford

Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

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Brittany Lockley

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TEXAS - A renewed threat of severe weather is expected to unfold across the Red River into the Front Range through the weekend as a powerful weather system fuels thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-29 052835-1780055562735.png"> Jet stream energy likely won't be high enough on Thursday for organized thunderstorms in the Southern Plains, but into Friday and Saturday that energy will increase as a trough moves across the Rockies.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-28 070943-1779975572876.png">The first round of storms is expected to develop Friday across portions of eastern New Mexico, western Texas, western Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas. The strongest storms could generate large hail and powerful straight-line winds, creating hazardous conditions for travelers and residents across the region.&nbsp;The severe weather threat is expected to expand on Saturday, stretching from Texas northward into Montana and the Dakotas. Some storms may produce wind gusts strong enough to cause power outages and damage to trees and structures.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-29 052907-1780057760662.png">Flooding is possible with the intense rainfall rates. While the severe weather poses a threat to many communities, the rainfall could provide some drought relief across portions of the northern Plains and northern Rockies.Farther south, Gulf Coast states will continue to monitor the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding as moisture-rich air fuels rounds of thunderstorms through the weekend.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-29 06-30-07-1780057854629.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-29 063133-1780057923472.png">For more on the Texas severe threat, tune into WeatherNation at :30 past the hour.

Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Friday & Saturday

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More rounds of heavy rain are expected to move across parts of the South over the next several days, increasing the risk for flash flooding in areas that have already seen significant rainfall. The wet weather pattern is expected to linger into the weekend as moisture from the Gulf continues fueling repeated thunderstorms across the region. In the past 24 hours, parts of Mississippi received over four and a half inches of rainfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-29 045317-1780052013049.png">Flood concerns remain high in parts of the south where the ground is already saturated from recent storms. Some areas have dealt with flooded roads, high water rescues, and strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail. With additional rain in the forecast, it will not take much to trigger more flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas.&nbsp;<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2060179321956762045" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2060179321956762045"></div>The flood threat is expected to stretch from eastern Texas into Louisiana, Mississippi, and portions of the Southeast. Several inches of rain could fall in some locations as storms repeatedly move over the same areas. Coastal communities along the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast could also experience periods of torrential rainfall.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/FORECAST-1780001470989.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Use caution if you are travelling in these hard-hit areas—a good reminder to avoid driving through flooded roadways at all costs. You never know what's under that water.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 053417-1779190502548.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2060111372751360184" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2060111372751360184"></div>While this rain is causing flash flooding, it is beneficial in many areas, as drought conditions are widespread and severe in many of these locations. The persistent storm pattern is being driven by a slow-moving system interacting with deep tropical moisture from the Gulf. Because the system is not moving quickly, repeated rounds of rain are possible through the coming days. Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to stay weather aware and avoid driving through flooded roadways.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 115148-1779817916121.png">Tune into WeatherNation for more details.

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

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Tracey Anthony

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Record high temperatures have been breaking since Memorial Day Weekend in the Northern Plains, making the High Plains the hottest temperatures across the country! On Wednesday, another record was broken in this area for Baker, Montana, reaching 89°!Heat Advisories remain in effect for portions of Montana through Thursday for the dangerous heat. Afternoon highs will once again soar into the 90's<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/web 3-1779977649808.png">The heat will remain into Friday, but more storm chances could throw some cloud cover into the afternoons, which might help.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 183319-1779928459791.png">When record heat strikes, often times so does fire danger. Red flag warnings impact most the counties under the heat advisory today. Be mindful of anything that could spark a flame! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/web 5-1779977987247.png">Record highs in Billings will be in trouble through Friday, before relief rolls in for the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Web 1-1779977558933.png">

Kevin Schneider

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

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The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a SLIGHT risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms from Ohio to the northern reaches of the Tarheel State. Damaging wind gusts will be the main threat through Thursday morning, with some small hail mixed in.<h1>Timing</h1>As we head into the overnight hours, storms will fizzle out in intensity along the front as we've lost daytime heating.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/ovn-1779929090823.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Rain Totals</h1>Some areas could pick up a few inches of rain, which could lead to some localized flooding. The heaviest will likely stay down south across the Mid-Atlantic. There are flood watches in effect across the Ohio Valley through Wednesday night.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 114005-1779903612410.png">

Alana Cameron

Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

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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>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>Heavy rain has already hit numerous areas in the Southeast this past week, creating major flash flooding issues in Atlanta. A marginal risk for severe weather remains in place for Sunday and into the overnight hours for portions of GA, AL &amp; FL. Damaging winds and hail will be the primary concern. On Monday, we have another chance of strong-to-severe storms, including in Tallahassee and Atlanta. Once again, damaging winds will be the main concern. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/mondayyaa-1779653951757.png">As the low moves through, scattered showers and storms will continue through the holiday on Monday. Heavy rain will also be a concern as this frontal boundary lingers. Always turn around and never attempt to drive through flood waters. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/ovvv-1779654086424.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Additional heavy rain is expected to increase the potential for flash flooding, in addition to strong storms and severe weather threats. For more on the flood potential, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/repeated-rain-raises-flood-threat-down-south">click here</a>.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 073318-1779543220474.png">More rain is expected over the next few days for portions of the south. Mobile, Alabama, will have storms around for Memorial Day, and the storm chances continue into Tuesday and Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/mobile alabama-1779640203804.png">

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

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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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released several important seasonal outlooks today, including their expectations for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season. Hurricane season and summer are expected to be impacted by a burgeoning El Niño, which could be very strong through much of the second half of 2026. Among the new outlooks issued are the seasonal forecasts for meteorological summer, which runs from June through August. NOAA is expecting much of the lower 48 to experience above-average temperatures (top of page), with higher confidence across the Western U.S. The Midwest and parts of the middle Mississippi Valley have an even chance for above or below-average temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113803-1779385356524.png">Much of the country is forecast to have near-normal rainfall for meteorological summer, but a few areas are favored for below-average precipitation. These include the Texas Gulf Coast, Upper-Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. In contrast, the Northeastern U.S. is slightly favored to see above-average precipitation. There is some confidence in parts of the Four Corners region having above-average rainfall, indicating the Climate Prediction Center expects an above-average monsoon season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113858-1779385377893.png">Not surprisingly, the forecast rainfall in the Four Corners could lead to drought improvement, which is expected in the seasonal drought outlook (above). Drought is also expected to improve in Florida, parts of Texas, and the lower Mississippi Valley. Drought is expected to expand or develop from California through Minnesota.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113928-1779385397348.png">The North American Monsoon (NAM) develops in Mexico in June and shifts north into the Four Corners, Great Basin, and California into July, August, and September. More data is needed to understand any correlation between El Niño and the NAM, but tropical systems tend to be more active in the Eastern Pacific during El Niño years. Remnants of these systems can greatly increase rainfall during the NAM.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 114106-1779385397348.png">

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

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Portions of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas once again are facing fire concerns Thursday. Just on Monday, areas of near Fort Worth, TX were battling a wildfire that broke out.

https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/955575363903537153

With the dry air in place and the winds picking up, the National Weather Service had Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches in place. Winds will be picking up out of the south Thursday sustained at 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Humidity levels will also be as low as 10%. If a fire starts, it will quickly be able to spread quickly.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-86651" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/Fire-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

For Wednesday the fire weather outlook is elevated but it increases Thursday as winds pick up.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-86650" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/fire-2-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" /> <img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-86649" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/fire-3-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Much of Texas has been placed under an outdoor burn ban to prevent any wildfires.

https://twitter.com/NWSFortWorth/status/956187931823271936

Areas like Lubbock, TX have gone over 70 days without an sort of measurable precipitation.

https://twitter.com/NWSLubbock/status/956193701675655168

&nbsp;

A slot of dry air moving in is the reason for such low humidity levels across the Southern Plains.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-86648" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/fire-4-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

The dry air coupled with the increasing winds throughout Thursday once again increasing the concern for fire danger.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-86647" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/01/fire-5-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Kate Mantych

Fire Concerns for the Southern Plains

Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

SET-UPAn upper low is sitting and spinning ov

Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Friday & Saturday

TEXAS - A renewed threat of severe weather i

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

More rounds of heavy rain are expected to mov

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

Record high temperatures have been breaking s

Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTHeavy rain has already hit nume

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administ