<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">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></span></p>

Rob Bradley

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<p>The Jones Road Fire began in Ocean County, NJ on Tuesday. It has grown to 15,300 acres and is 60% contained. One arrest has been made in connection to the fire. Officials say a 19 year old did not extinguish a bonfire which spread.<br></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1915391512445157496" src="https://x.com/njdepforestfire/status/1915391512445157496"></div><p>Smoke from this fire is expected to cause a few air quality issues around the region on Friday. Southerly winds will turn westerly Saturday morning as rain moves in, which should help improve air quality and reduce smoke.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/New Baron Video 3-1745636947570.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h1>Precipitation</h1><p>Storms will return to the east on Friday, from the Mid-South to the Mid-Atlantic, with showers arriving overnight along the I-95 corridor. This should bring New Jersey some moderate to heavy rain which could end the fire spread.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/New Baron Video 3-1745637073992.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Rain totals in New Jersey are mostly expected to stay under an inch, but 1-3 inches of rain are possible across the region!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745637150738.png"></p>

Jesse Kelley

NJ Wildfire Still Burning, Rain on the Way

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Brittany Lockley

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<p>More severe thunderstorms will be possible as the front continues to linger across Oklahoma and Texas on Friday. An <strong>enhanced risk ( level 3 out of 5) </strong>of severe thunderstorms is in place for West Texas and nearby areas th<strong>i</strong>s evening, with the potential for large hail, damaging winds, and even a brief tornado.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745636019448.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2-1745636098882.png"></p><p>The same trend of storms exploding in the afternoon and merging into a complex of storms overnight looks to continue. Once the storms fizzle in the morning, storm activity is expected to pick up by late afternoon and continue into the evening and overnight hours as we move into Saturday!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/New Baron Video 3-1745636453547.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Slow-moving thunderstorms may linger into the night, especially over northwest Texas, increasing the chance of repeated rainfall in some spots.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;By Sunday there are areas in the Texas panhandle and across Oklahoma expected to see well over five and six inches of rain!</span><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745636546047.png"></p><p>More on your top weather headlines and regional forecasts can always be found streaming on the WeatherNation app.</p>

Severe Threat Continues for the Southern Plains

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>The southeast is getting a taste of summer-like temps, bringing a hot streak for the rest of the week. More records fell on Friday including Tampa, FL.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745637358219.png"></p><p>An area of high pressure is helping to lock in the heat, meaning temperatures will be above average this week. It's also turned the winds out of the east in Florida, which has brought up the rip current concerns.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 054445-1745581726265.jpg">Many records will be in jeopardy through Sunday. Many cities across Florida, including Tallahassee and Orlando, will have the potential to tie or beat records. But it is not just Florida, cities across the south like Montgomery, Alabama, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will be in the running to break records.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 054432-1745581659743.jpg">Looking at this week, cities across the south run above average. Tampa, Florida, has an average of 84° for this time of year, and temperatures will reach the 90s this week, bringing the heat. Little Rock, Arkansas, should be in the 70s this week, but will see highs in the low 80s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745637413735.png"></p><p>Everyone will be warm, though, record high or not. Many locations are 10-15 degrees warmer than usual for this time of year, and it could stick around for the rest of the month. While it's still a little too early to talk exact degrees, the Climate Prediction Center is confident that above-average temperatures will close out April for most of the country.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745548714579.png"></p>

Feeling Like Summer in the Southeast This Week

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<p>A major storm system is beginning to take shape which could spawn widespread severe weather starting Sunday in the western Plains, before spreading eastward across the country. All modes of severe weather are expected, including numerous strong tornadoes by Monday in portions of the Midwest. It's too early to see details from CAMS (convective allowing models), so check back in for more specific information closer to the event.</p><h1>Pattern</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 055751-1745582330944.png">A trough digging into California to start the weekend will eject from the Rockies Sunday afternoon, increasing wind shear and the formation of a low pressure system art the surface. Warm and moisture will spread north to meet the new low and accompanying front, leading to several days with severe storms.</p><h1>Outlooks</h1><p>On Sunday, energy from the trough will support isolated severe storm formation from the Dakotas to Texas, with a better chance for scattered severe storms in Nebraska. Numerous supercells are expected in this region, thanks to a jet streak (intense region of the jet stream) with storms in Texas being driven by a dry line.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 055803-1745582340548.png">By Monday, the cold front becomes the main driver of severe thunderstorms. Numerous strong storms are expected in the Midwest where several strong tornadoes are possible, in addition to other modes of severe weather (hail and damaging winds). These storms will be driven by the strong wind shear brought to the area by the upper-level trough. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 055807-1745582347561.png">Scattered severe storms will continue to move east on Tuesday along the front, with severe storms possible from Vermont to Texas!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 055811-1745582354054.png">Heavy rain will accompany storms, with isolated flash flooding possible. Before storms hit, review your severe weather preparedness including knowing where to go in case of a tornado or flood.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-25 055833-1745582359713.png"></p>

Severe Weather Outbreak Likely to Start the Week

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<p>National Park Week starts Saturday, April 19th, and runs through Sunday, April 27th, It is a week to celebrate the over <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm"><strong><em><u>400 National Parks</u></em></strong></a>! Throughout the week, parks will host events to highlight the unique nature of the parks, how you can volunteer, and the innovation happening across the country. National Park Week also encompasses Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22nd</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/nps-1713740968123.png"></p><p>At WeatherNation we spoke to some of the most popular and lesser-known national parks across the U.S. and highlighted them in our "Get Out and Explore" series.</p><h2>Catoctin Mountain Park (Maryland)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">This mountain park sits near the hustle and bustle of East Coast cities such as D.C. and Philly and allows people to explore the great outdoors and reconnect with nature. The heavily forested park offers hiking, camping, stargazing, and more. If you look closely, you might even find old whiskey and moonshine stills from the prohibition period.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W9VRUt93epc" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Death Valley National Park (California)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Home of extreme weather, this park is known for canyons, salt flats, and North America’s lowest point. &nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4d1AmHZQRw8?si=-FBI8TOpXtvw7zoz" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Alaska)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Lake Clark in Alaska sits about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and is only accessible via small plane. This park boasts incredible wildlife and views as well as some of Alaska’s extreme weather.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U3IM3w8M1Yc?si=i22NXFs0uVL_TX3y" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Lava Beds National Park (N. California)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Sitting just south of Oregon, Lava Beds National Monument is surrounded by volcanos. Visitors can explore lava tubes ranging in difficulty from easy to expert. This gives people a chance to explore the “volcanic plumbing” of the region. &nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6c0aGmAgC38?si=BPzHjKS7iBSK5K3X" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Black Canyon of the Gunnison N.P. (Colorado)</h2><p><span style="color: inherit">Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the steepest and narrowest canyon of the entire U.S. and sits in Southwest Colorado. The canyon provides intense changes in temperatures and is impacted by monsoon season during the summer months.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/getko7k6xv8?si=FBWTTOSZJH-3EkeR" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Badlands National Park (South Dakota)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">An “undiscovered gem” in the national park system, Badlands offers landscapes, wildlife, and spectacular stargazing. NPS recommends spending at least some time in the park at night to fully experience another side of the park.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbXfbFmDko0?si=V71zMdVtyCkH_o9K" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Manassas National Battlefield Park (Virginia)</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">History lovers will love taking a trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Home of two major civil war battles, the park has acres of walking tours to explore a piece of American history.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cTg1gYAD1o8?si=nn75R3h1z054AFxh" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site (New Hampshire)</h2><p>Check out the only national park dedicated to a sculpture! It doesn't open until May so mark your calendars for next month.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xlEEJRl0d_w?si=yPubZ3-sANBW6iiQ" start="0"></iframe></div><h2></h2>

National Park Week: Get Out and Explore

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<h1><strong>THURSDAY HAIL</strong></h1><p>Big hail fell across the Central U.S. on Thursday with some reports of ping pong and golf ball sized hail in Nebraska and Oklahoma.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/PIC 2-1745542537724.jpg"></p><h1>FORECAST</h1><p>Low pressure will slowly move east of the Front Range on Thursday, tapping into daytime heating to trigger another round of severe storms. Storms will likely persist overnight as they push east with heavy rain, gusty winds, and possibly large hail.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/New Baron Video 3-1745549271391.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1><strong>THURSDAY OUTLOOK</strong></h1><p>Hail will be the primary concern again on Thursday, especially east of Denver into western Kansas. Hail could be topping the size of golf balls in addition to strong winds and an isolated tornado.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745549191179.png"></p><p></p><p>Rainfall will be coming down quickly, heavy enough to prompt flash flooding. There is a level 2 risk for flooding today from Iowa to central Kansas. By Friday, some locations could see more than 4+ inches of rainfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/1-1745534990139.png"></p><p>Stay with WeatherNation for the latest. Your full Central Regional Forecast can always be found :30 past the hour on WeatherNation.</p>

Big Hail Threat Lingers in the Front Range & Plains Thursday

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>What's one more day?</p><p>This slow-moving front will make it four days now that we've had to monitor storms along it this afternoon. Temperatures will heat up this afternoon, which could be just enough energy to lead to severe storms.</p><p>Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornadoes-turn-deadly-saturday-damaging-homes-from-texas-to-oklahoma">Last Weekend's Deadly Severe Weather</a></p><p>The <strong>marginal </strong>risk for severe storms continues through tonight.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-23 111106-1745428273525.png"></p><p>Storms will once again pop up in the afternoon near our boundary, posing the threat of large hail and damaging winds:</p><p></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-23 06-06-24-1745410069837.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>With nothing sweeping these storms out to sea quickly, torrrential rain will be slow-moving as well. Pockets of 2-3 inches could overrun some area roads, so flash flooding will be a threat as well.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot 2025-04-23 060654-1745410147313.jpg"></p><p></p><p>For the latest on the forecast download the WeatherNation app and stream us LIVE.</p>

Cold Front Sparks More Severe Storms Through Tuesday

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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.

Patrick Crawford

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The fire weather risk will continue today for parts of Kansas and Missouri with the threat of high winds, warm temperatures and low humidity. Here is the very latest on today's fire risk.
<h1>Alerts</h1>
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Red flag warnings are in effect today for southeastern Kansas and a good portion of Missouri.  This means outdoor burning not recommended in these areas. Any fires that develop will be become very difficult to control.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-119008 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/03/7day4-3.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Gusty winds over 45 mph will be possible today across Kansas.  Not only will this contribute to the fire risk, but it will also make travel dangerous...especially for high profile vehicles.
<h1>Wildfire Prevention</h1>
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Here are some prevention tips for wildfires. Definitely some good information to remember when it comes to wildfire prevention.

&nbsp;

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Sunday

Alerts

Wildfire Prevention

NJ Wildfire Still Burning, Rain on the Way

The Jones Road Fire began in Ocean County, NJ

Severe Threat Continues for the Southern Plains

More severe thunderstorms will be possible as

Feeling Like Summer in the Southeast This Week

The southeast is getting a taste of summer-li

Severe Weather Outbreak Likely to Start the Week

A major storm system is beginning to take sha

National Park Week: Get Out and Explore

National Park Week starts Saturday, April 19t

Big Hail Threat Lingers in the Front Range & Plains Thursday

THURSDAY HAILBig hail fell across the Central

Cold Front Sparks More Severe Storms Through Tuesday

What's one more day?This slow-moving front wi