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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The hottest temperatures of the year are looming mid to late this week. An area of high pressure will cause the temperatures to rise underneath. Intense heat will build across the Midwest and Northeast this week as the ridge moves east. There is an Extreme Heat Risk labeled for many on Thursday as the heat intensifies (above).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 153240-1782855167339.png">Over 200 million people are under heat alerts this week. Not only will the air temperatures be scorching hot, breaking records, but the humidity will add to the dangers of heat illness. Dew points are expected to be in the 70s, meaning your body will have more difficulty cooling off.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 083131-1782916328046.png">We spoke with the National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mt. Holly to get some perspective on just how unusual this heat is for the northeast.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlvJoWIawEw" start="0"></iframe></div>There are 60+ possible records on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 083358-1782916444329.png">Heat indices will hit the triple digits for a majority of the Midwest and Northeast beginning Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 083453-1782916510250.png">The heat builds more out east by Thursday. This will be where the majority of our records will fall across the Northeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 083458-1782916504734.png">Heat waves become deadly when they are extended in duration, and complicated by overnight lows struggling to cool off enough. Be sure to mix in plenty of water, even with a holiday weekend coming up. Know the signs to look out for in friends and family.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043943-1782556806519.png">

Patrick Crawford

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Leads Us to the 4th

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Severe storms will be possible Wednesday and Thursday across the Northeast ahead of an incoming heatwave that will send heat index values into the triple digits.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/dangerous-stretch-of-heat-shaping-up-this-week">Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week</a>A Slight threat of severe weather sticks around through Wednesday across portions of New York and New England. New York City is under a Marginal risk, with the main threat being strong, damaging winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 043450-1782902103590.png">The outlook remains a SLIGHT risk (level 2 out of 5). However, our in-house model only shows us very isolated chances for some of these storms to spark up in the New England area. Any of these storms do have that potential of forming those hailstones and gusty winds. Some more rain does return to the forecast come Friday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/07012-1782916225332.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A Marginal risk for severe weather sticks around the Northeast into the end of the work week. Two more Marginal (level 1 out of 5) risks have been issued by the Storm Prediction Center taking us through Friday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 043806-1782902361485.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 043816-1782902368886.png">For more details on the threats and timing of these storms, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your Eastern Regional Forecast.

Storms Spark up in the Northeast Ahead of Heatwave

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The Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colorado, near Pueblo, is over 28,000 acres with no containment. Evacuations remain in place as the fire is still expected to grow due to strong winds. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2071956924137136402" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2071956924137136402?s=20"></div>Numerous additional wildfires continue to burn across Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, scorching tens of thousands of acres.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 082723-1782916051057.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2071685133040816622" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2071685133040816622"></div>These fires are also sending smoke and hazardous air quality through the four corners. Air quality alerts are in effect across a large portion of Colorado, including Denver.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 082804-1782916092423.png"><h1>Fire Outlooks</h1>A critical fire risk will continue through Wednesday and Thursday. As opposed to yesterday, the threat of dry thunderstorms is no longer. However, it's still important to avoid all activities that could spark a flame.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 044142-1782902600638.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 044150-1782902600638.png">This is especially important as we move towards the 4th of July, as it's possible to continue these fire conditions into the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043144-1782556311355.png">Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow local evacuation orders, and do their part to help prevent the start and spread of wildfires this summer.

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

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Winds hit 85 mph in Nebraska in the last 24hrs, but on Monday morning, a storm brought significant winds across a few cities in South Dakota. Some winds clocked in at over 130 mph. Keep in mind an EF-3 tornado begins with winds at 136 mph. These wind gusts were the strongest recorded in South Dakota state history.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 055833-1782820730289.png"></h1>On Wednesday, the Storm Prediction Center keeps an enhanced risk of severe storms around for the Plains through Wisconsin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 044815-1782902923254.png">Tornadoes, significant winds, and significant hailstones remain possible through Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 082230-1782915763798.png">The threat for severe weather carries on through Thursday. A Marginal to Slight risk is in effect from the Dakotas through Michigan. Significant storms will also be likely. Watch for updates in the forecast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 044928-1782902982333.png">With additional storms remaining in the forecast through Friday. It remains an active week ahead for strong and severe storms across the Plains through the Upper Midwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-01 082320-1782915807972.png">For more on the forecast and timing, tune in to WeatherNation!

Severe Storms Keep Northern U.S. Active

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Kevin Schneider

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Early in the season, we watch closer to the coasts here at home for development in the Hurricane Season. Until the waves coming off the coast of Africa start to fly and quit losing the battle to Saharan Dust, old fronts are the leading source of development.Currently, a frontal boundary moving through the southeastern U.S. has prompted a marginal risk for severe weather across portions of the Southeast. Main threat will be damaging winds. Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center was monitoring an area of potential tropical interest. That area is no longer expected to form into a tropical system. For now, the only name we have crossed off for the Atlantic season is Arthur.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063531-1782563982336.jpg">The Eastern Pacific, on the other hand, does have a high chance of potential tropical development by Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 154035-1782855661730.png">

Slow-Moving Front No Longer Expected to Develop Tropically, Monitoring Eastern Pacific

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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As Summer settles in across the Central U.S., MCSs, also known as Mesoscale Convective Systems, become more prevalent. These large clusters of thunderstorms can organize and persist for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and produce all modes of severe weather. The weather pattern over the next few days will favor repeated rounds of these storm complexes across the Plains &amp; Midwest.Strong and severe thunderstorms remain possible in the Mid South over the next few days as storms ride a ridge of high pressure. This will target the same areas through the end of the week to see severe weather. <h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/what-is-an-mcs">WHAT IS AN MCS: READ MORE HERE</a></h4><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782612588554.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the overnight, a few storms could still be severe across parts of the Ohio Valley before being steering into the Carolinas for Sunday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 133648-1782589019330.png">These storms will dump rain on the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding in some of the same spots that already flooded earlier this week. For more on the flooding risk, read this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-this-weekend">related article</a> on the flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782612765591.png">

Jesse Kelley

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across 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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Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's just how this spring has gone in the Midwest. A low pressure system brought numerous severe storms to the Midwest on Wednesday, including large hail and flooding in Wisconsin, with strong winds, a tornado, and flooding in Illinois.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2070122338226749842" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2070122338226749842"></div><h1>Forecast</h1>The low pressure system that spawned Wednesday's storms is now moving east into New England bringing severe weather chances for Friday. A new low forms along the same front to also produce a severe risk across the Ohio River Friday. This is primarily for the threat of damaging winds but an isolated tornado or two will be possible (top of page).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440323140.png">The stalled boundary will the focal point for storms on Friday. The first low moving across the Northeast will produce severe storms across parts of New England. Secondly, as the new coming out of Missouri will produce severe weather for Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours. All modes will be possible. The front slides into the Carolinas bringing the Carolinas at play for severe weather on Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782440710501.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As a trailing low moves in on Saturday, a few more severe storms will be possible as the low tracks into the Southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/pic5-1782421830617.png">Heavy rainfall will accompany strong storms, leading to isolated flood potential. The higher chance for flooding will stick to areas along and west of the Appalachians, through the Ohio River, and up to I-70.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440751771.png">You Eastern Regional Forecast can be viewed on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

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A fire called the Great Lake Fire began Wednesday night and exploded in size on Friday, reaching to 35,000 acres with only 10 percent containment. The fire was fueled by strong, gusty wind and dry air on Friday. Watch the smoke plume off the fire below.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/2023-04-22 15-41-53-1682200136702.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The fire is located near Havelock and New Bern in eastern North Carolina. It is burning within the Croatan National Forest and sending smoke and ash to nearby New Bern. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/23-1682200144400.jpg">Fortunately this weekend there have been rain showers moving over this fire. Rainfall amounts seem to be light, but hopefully this will help ease the rate of fire spread. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/24-1682200152433.jpg">Big plumes of smoke have resulted in poor air quality in neighboring towns and cities. If you have pre-existing respiratory issues, limit time outside.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/25-1682200157163.jpg">Remember, "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!"

Great Lake Fire Burns 35,000 Acres in North Carolina

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Leads Us to the 4th

The hottest temperatures of the year are loom

Storms Spark up in the Northeast Ahead of Heatwave

Severe storms will be possible Wednesday and

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

The Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colo

Severe Storms Keep Northern U.S. Active

Winds hit 85 mph in Nebraska in the last 24hr

Slow-Moving Front No Longer Expected to Develop Tropically, Monitoring Eastern Pacific

Early in the season, we watch closer to the c

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

As Summer settles in across the Central U.S.,

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's