Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

Alana Cameron

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UTAH - Numerous wildfires continue to burn across Utah, scorching tens of thousands of acres across the state.One of the most significant fires is the Cottonwood Fire, which began on June 22, 2026, and has experienced rapid growth fueled by dry vegetation, gusty winds, and ongoing drought conditions. The fire more than doubled in size on Wednesday, growing from approximately 30,000 acres to more than 60,000 acres. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/fishlake/alerts/cottonwood-fire-closure-order">Fishlake National Forest</a>, the fire has prompted mandatory evacuation orders across portions of the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 194832-1782352613660.png">Meanwhile, the Iron Fire burning near Eureka, Utah, has prompted Governor Spencer Cox to authorize funding to support firefighting efforts. The authorization makes FEMA assistance available to cover 75% of the state's eligible firefighting costs through an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires.Smoke from these wildfires has become a concern well beyond Utah. Plumes have spread into Colorado, prompting daily Air Quality Alerts across parts of the state.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/hrrr smoke-1782352880730.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Fire weather alerts remain in effect across portions of the western United States as the region heads into the second half of the week. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches have been issued in several areas due to elevated wildfire danger.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 195003-1782352936250.png">Conditions on Thursday will remain favorable for wildfire growth, with hot temperatures, dry fuels, gusty winds, and low humidity creating a dangerous combination for fire spread.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 195012-1782352964484.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.

Utah Wildfires Explode in Size as Fire Danger Persists Across the West

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SOUTHERN PLAINS - Strong to severe thunderstorms remain possible in the southern Plains 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. Due to high levels of Gulf moisture, storms firing off the Rockies, a storm boundary in the southern Plains, and an increasing low-level jet at night, the severe risk for these areas is strongest after dark and into the overnight hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/ridge riding thunderstorms-1782351087516.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>On Thursday morning, an MCS or cluster of thunderstorms will be ongoing from the overnight storms. <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>As these storms move over northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas they will continue to move south and run into more energy and moisture from afternoon heating as they continue through the region. On Friday, storms appear to pop back in along the frontal boundary Friday afternoon and spread eastward into the Ozarks and Ohio Valley later in the afternoon and evening.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/central plains overnight-1782351371715.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The Storm Prediction Center has issued a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms across Kansas, Oklahoma, the Texas panhandle, Missouri, and Arkansas for Thursday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192929-1782351194930.png"> The SPC has also issued an outlook for severe weather across the same areas for Friday, but at a MARGINAL level (1 out of 5).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192945-1782351259974.png"> These storms will train rain over the same areas, which will lead to a flooding risk in some of the same spots that have already dealt with flooding 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.

'MCS' Season for Oklahoma, Kansas and the Ozarks

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FRONT RANGE - Large hail and strong winds pushed through portions of Colorado, Wyoming, and into the Plains on Wednesday. The severe storm threat continues for these areas through the overnight hours. Hail during the day topped out at 2.5" near Fort Morgan, Colorado.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192204-1782350630005.png"><h2>Severe Outlooks</h2>The SPC has maintained an ENHANCED risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe weather across portions of Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming through Thursday morning. Destructive winds and very large hail remain possible with severe storms that form off the Rockies. Be sure to protect your property before the storms arrive.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 190738-1782350716157.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 190748-1782350720619.png">For Thursday, we'll see a similar setup persisting. A SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk has been issued for relatively the same areas. This outlook, however, extents into the Southern Plains as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192536-1782350745041.png">On Friday, a level 1 out of 5, MARGINAL, risk is in place for the same spots as thunderstorms fire off the same region and into the High Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 192539-1782350769617.png"><h1>FORECAST</h1>Strong to severe storms will continue through the night across the front range with all modes of severe weather possible from Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and Western Nebraska. The Urban Corridor could see some strong storms too and the same process will pretty much repeat itself Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/front range overnight bams-1782350806570.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest. We've got you covered through everything severe weather!

Active Week Ahead For The Front Range

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Dave Holder

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A significant early-summer trough is expected to dig across the western half of the country through the weekend and into early next week. Much cooler temperatures across the Northwest, along with increasing severe weather chances across the Great Plains, are expected by Saturday. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/sigtrough-1782329631706.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The Northwest will be the first to feel the impacts of the incoming system, as rain chances increase Thursday night and daytime highs dip to well below seasonal averages. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/nwactive-1782329922056.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>By the weekend, some locations will be feeling daytime highs that are 15°+ below-average. In fact, significant snow accumulation across the higher elevations is being hinted at by the models!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 133637-1782330045012.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 133710-1782330153431.png">As stronger upper-level winds overspread heat and humidity building each afternoon across the Plains, severe weather will be likely several days in a row. As of now, portions of North Dakota have been highlighted for potential severe thunderstorms on Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 134246-1782330306372.png">

Patrick Crawford

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

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Adrian Hernandez

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OKLAHOMA - A flash flood emergency was issued for Atoka County, Oklahoma, on Tuesday afternoon after 4-8 inches of rainfall came down in a very short period of time.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 042354-1782296650606.png">New rounds of rainfall are expected to continue to move in from the High Plains and down to the South over the next few days. With additional rain across saturated soils, the WPC has issued Excessive Rainfall Outlooks.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-24 04-24-19-1782296680250.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>While severe weather will be a concern, heavy rainfall may become the more widespread threat. Abundant atmospheric moisture will allow storms to produce intense downpours, and some areas could see rainfall rates of more than an inch per hour. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms moving over the same locations may quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 125531-1782327394636.png">We will continue to monitor the progression of the system as it moves across the region. Residents in areas prone to flooding or severe weather are encouraged to stay informed of the latest forecasts and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts throughout the weekend.&nbsp;

Flood Threat Persists This Week

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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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This week, an upper-level ridge has taken over the West. Some heat alerts still remain for the Pacific Northwest. Regardless, it's still going to be a hot one on Wednesday. There will be an area of low-pressure that will bring cooler temperatures by the end of the week for the Northwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 042130-1782296500354.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782325479215.png"><h1>Southwest</h1>In Southern California, heat advisories have been issued for parts of the LA Metro through Thursday. The worst of heat will be in areas northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. Wednesday, high temperatures are expected to reach the 90s from Calabasas to San Bernardino.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782325640051.png">In the Desert Southwest, Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories have been issued into Thursday as well. Highs for Phoenix will be in the 110s but as the heat dome slides eastward high temperatures will cool slightly to just in the 100s!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782325857570.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 042218-1782296553458.png">

Another Day of Heat For the West Before Changes

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Devastating storms ripped through the heartland again on Sunday. Fatalities have been reported along with multiple destroyed homes in the area. The same system that prompted those numerous tornadoes will slide east, but should lose some of its intensity. The National Weather Service in Paducah, KY has put out a preliminary rating of EF-3 from the storm in Dix, IL.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2069135992326676518" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2069135992326676518"></div><h2>Severe Outlooks</h2>Today, thunderstorms will take aim again at the I-95 corridor, so the SPC has issued a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe weather across the Middle Atlantic.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-23 105945-1782234035013.png">There is an isolated tornado potential as well as a severe thunderstorm watch.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-23 105957-1782234134842.png"><h2>Timing</h2>With ongoing storms, through the night and the morning, the severity of these storms slows down as we've lost daytime heating. This afternoon, thunderstorms will develop along the heavily traveled I-95 corridor. Alongside severe hazards, flooding will increase in these areas too.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/06-23 east bams-1782234100217.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

I-95 Corridor Under Severe Risk Today

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Severe storms pushed through the High Plains on Thursday dropping large hail across parts of the Dakotas.

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Ping pong ball size hail was reported in Belle Fourche, South Dakota on Thursday.

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The biggest hailstone that was reported was golf ball size, falling both in North and South Dakota.

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These storms also brought gusty winds up to nearly 80 mph in some spots!

The severe weather threat continues across parts of the High Plains on Friday, we will have the latest all day on Weathernation.

For WeatherNation, I'm <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>.

Hail Pounds High Plains on Thursday

Utah Wildfires Explode in Size as Fire Danger Persists Across the West

UTAH - Numerous wildfires continue to burn ac

'MCS' Season for Oklahoma, Kansas and the Ozarks

SOUTHERN PLAINS - Strong to severe thundersto

Active Week Ahead For The Front Range

FRONT RANGE - Large hail and strong winds pus

Weekend System To Shake up Pattern Across the Country

A significant early-summer trough is expected

Flood Threat Persists This Week

OKLAHOMA - A flash flood emergency was issued

Another Day of Heat For the West Before Changes

This week, an upper-level ridge has taken ove

I-95 Corridor Under Severe Risk Today

Devastating storms ripped through the heartla