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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A mid-level shortwave trough digging into the Mississippi River Valley today will bring a risk of large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Cities like Dallas, Shreveport, and Little Rock could all see severe weather today and tonight. Here is a look at the very latest severe forecast.<h1>Severe Outlook</h1>*UPDATE* The Storm Prediction Center upgraded Friday's outlook to an enhanced risk for severe storms over the Ark-La-Tex. This means numerous severe storms are possible today in cities like Texarkana and Paris.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1777034394790.png"> Severe storms should be firing up during the late morning and early afternoon over the southern plains. When these storms push towards Northeast Texas and southern Oklahoma, they should likely turn severe. The ingredients for today's severe could bring significant severe threats, including strong tornadoes and 2" diameter hail.All modes of severe weather will be in the forecast today, including the risk of tornadoes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic4-1777034760240.png">Significant hail will be possible with Friday's severe set-up. 2" diameter hail (lime-sized) could accompany these storms for Friday night and early Saturday morning. Anything outdoors that can be damaged by hail will need to be covered up or brought inside.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic3-1777036366910.png"><h1>Forecast</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1777036531806.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic4-1777036582917.png">More updates are on the way on-air and online.

Friday Severe Risk from the Ark-La-Tex to the Lower Mississippi Valley

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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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Top Image: Brett Adair Several strong tornadoes tore across portions of the Great Plains and Midwest on Thursday, causing damage, notably in the town of Enid, Oklahoma. WeatherNaiton field correspondent Brett Adair captured a different tornado near Braman, Oklahoma (below), while correspondents Brandon Clement and Jonathan Petramala caught the Enid tornado during and after its tear through town.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047512666902823257" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047512666902823257"></div>Jonathan provided an update late Thursday as emergency crews were combing through collapsed buildings in Enid. Thankfully, the Sheriff's office has, so far, reported only minor injuries.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047616538031604204" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047616538031604204"></div>Tornado warnings were issued across six different states on Thursday with about 21 reports of tornadoes coming in. Some of those reports will be form the same tornado so we'll have to wait for damage surveys to confirm numbers and intensity (EF) ratings.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071558-1777036595398.png">Aside from the tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms were numerous on Friday, producing hurricane force wind gusts and hail up to the size of softballs!<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071653-1777036618310.png">Radar Review</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-30-40-1777044754991.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-31-58-1777044771886.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047473094671888669" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047473094671888669"></div>

Multiple Tornadoes Hit the Plains & Midwest Thursday

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Several rounds of severe storms are expected to impact the middle of the country through the weekend and even into next week! This type of pattern can create severe fatigue, but residents will have to be on alert for multiple days of severe storms.By Saturday, another wave of energy will increase jet stream energy over the Central Plains, increasing parameters and organization for severe storms. An enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) highlights areas from Wichita through Fort Smith, Arkansas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1777032729854.png"> Storms will likely be underway Friday morning as a squall line or MCS moves across the Plains into the Mississippi Valley. The dry-line will likely lead to a new round of severe storms starting in the afternoon around the I-35 corridor.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-23 09-13-29-1776957252424.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Next System</h1>Yet another wave of energy from an upper-level trough will emerge from the Rockies to end the weekend and start next week. The SPC has already issued enhanced outlooks for Sunday and Monday from the Plains into the Midwest and Midsouth. These outlooks will change in the next few days. Check back in with us for specific threats (like tornadoes) and timing details closer to the event.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1777033311396.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic4-1777033555354.png">With several rounds of severe thunderstorms expected, heavy rain will add up over the next week. Thankfully this will not all come at once, but isolated flash flooding will remain a possibility with each system.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-23 091843-1776957535087.png">

Severe Weather Chances Continue Saturday through Tuesday

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Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

Jesse Kelley

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CALIFORNIA - The rain and snow across California have ended, though not before bringing a good amount of precipitation! Later this week and into the weekend, a new system will come onshore, bringing the Southwest additional rain and snow chances. If you missed out on this latest frontal system, there's more to come!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1776976040436.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Starting Friday, isolated rain and snow showers will be possible across parts of California and Nevada. The chances of precipitation really begin to increase as the upper low moves eastward, creating scattered to widespread chances of snow and rain. The Rockies could be the biggest winner with the higher elevations picking up over a foot of snow. No alerts have been issued yet but some could as we head into the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1776976399288.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776976439764.png">In the long term, the Weather Prediction Center keeps the Southwest in the green with above-average chances of moisture!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776976521499.png">

West Staying Active for the Weekend

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Tracey Anthony

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Flooding continues to be a serious threat across the Great Lakes as more Flash Flood Watches and Flood Warnings are Issued. Michigan &amp; Wisconsin in particular. Heavy rain &amp; severe storms arrived on top of spring snowmelt, making the typical &amp; gradual snowmelt a thing of the past. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2046952167316054057" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2046952167316054057"></div>A big part of this flood set up can be traced to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where a very snowy winter left a large amount of water locked into the snowpack.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/WEB 1-1777036607177.png">At the same time, Milwaukee set a new April precipitation record by April 16, surpassing the old record of 7.38 inches from 2013. &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Web_4-1776695176771.png">More rain Monday will be insult to injury for these already swollen rivers, creeks and streams. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/WEB 3-1777036943004.png">For more on your central regional forecast, tune into WeatherNation :30 past the hour.

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

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Brittany Lockley

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<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776997531081.png">The Storm Prediction Center has issued an&nbsp;enhanced risk of severe weather on Thursday. The greatest threats will include very large hail and powerful wind gusts, but a few tornadoes are also a concern, especially in areas where storms can remain isolated and intensify. The severe threat continues into the overnight hours before gradually weakening! <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1776997766167.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rainfall may also accompany these storms, raising the risk of localized flooding in some areas already dealing with saturated ground. Residents across the Plains are being urged to stay weather-aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings, as conditions can change quickly during severe weather outbreaks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776997836053.png">&nbsp;Tune into WeatherNation for more details.

Severe Storm Threat Reloads Across Plains with Hail, Wind, and Tornado Risk

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<h1>SOUTHEAST</h1>Over 97% of the Southeast is in moderate to exceptional drought. These dry conditions have been one of many factors increasing the fire threat across the southeast. This is the driest this area has been since the year 2000.Many states have counties under burn bans. If you are in a local burn ban, please use caution and obey!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1776978046694.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047291899661504672" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047291899661504672"></div><h1>CENTRAL PLAINS</h1>An ELEVATED to CRITICAL risk for fire danger is in effect for the Plains. These areas are dealing with incredibly dry conditions, increasing drought, gusty conditions, and warmer-than-normal temperatures. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/friday and sunday-1776997684863.png">Cities like Denver, CO, and Albuquerque, NM will have humidity levels down to the single digits.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/fridyaaa-1776997701888.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/ffff-1776997701886.png">More details can be found live on WeatherNation throughout the hour.

Jackie Brown

Extreme Drought Leads To Fire Concerns Across The Nation

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A wildfire near Interstate 70 in Kansas led to evacuation orders Friday afternoon. The Topeka, Kansas Emergency Management Agency issued a mandatory evacuation for areas between Vera Road to West Union Road from I-70 to the Kansas River.

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A large wildfire flared up Friday in Shawnee County, KS and spread quickly due to strong southerly winds. Throughout Friday afternoon, Topeka observed sustained winds between 25-35 miles per hour from the south. The wildfire burned just north of Interstate 70 west of Topeka, KS and it could be seen by the nearby Topeka radar.

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Later on Friday, Maple Hill was "all clear" per the Wabaunsee Emergency Management Agency. This region was under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. CT Friday. Dry conditions, with low relative humidity levels and a gusty wind, provided a high danger Friday.

A high fire danger may exist this weekend too. Stay up-to-date with the latest weather forecast and any fire alerts for your area. If fire alerts are issued, avoid sparking a fire because it may spread very quickly under these weather conditions!

Fires Sparks Evacuations in Kansas Friday

Friday Severe Risk from the Ark-La-Tex to the Lower Mississippi Valley

A mid-level shortwave trough digging into the

Multiple Tornadoes Hit the Plains & Midwest Thursday

Top Image: Brett Adair Several strong tornado

Severe Weather Chances Continue Saturday through Tuesday

Several rounds of severe storms are expected

West Staying Active for the Weekend

CALIFORNIA - The rain and snow across Califor

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Flooding continues to be a serious threat acr

Severe Storm Threat Reloads Across Plains with Hail, Wind, and Tornado Risk

The Storm Prediction Center has issued an&nbs

Extreme Drought Leads To Fire Concerns Across The Nation

SOUTHEASTOver 97% of the Southeast is in mode