WeatherNation Meteorologists

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The unofficial end of summer is bringing another busy travel weekend across the country as Americans head out for Labor Day getaways.&nbsp;Travel is expected to pick up beginning Thursday and remain busy through Monday, Sept. 7, as vacationers take advantage of the long holiday weekend. AAA booking data shows travelers are planning everything from road trips and national park visits to cruises and international vacations.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/PKG_TRT 7.00_2026 AAA LABOR DAY TRAVEL_ADRIAN HERNANDEZ_RS_E083026-1788614961272.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Several major U.S. cities are attracting a large share of holiday travelers. Seattle is leading domestic bookings, with Orlando, Boston, Denver and New York also among the most popular destinations. Seattle’s popularity is being helped by travelers departing on cruises to Alaska.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 072348-1788441841652.png">Road trips will be a major part of the holiday weekend, and travelers should be prepared for periods of heavy traffic. The first significant wave of congestion is expected Thursday afternoon as holiday traffic combines with the normal evening commute. The busiest conditions are expected between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday could be even more challenging, with heavier traffic possible from around midday through the evening.&nbsp;Saturday afternoon could also bring slower travel, while Sunday is expected to offer some of the better driving conditions of the weekend. Traffic is forecast to increase Monday again as vacationers head home.&nbsp;Some routes could take considerably longer than usual. In Colorado, the trip north from Denver to Fort Collins along Interstate 25 could take roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes around midday Thursday, nearly twice the typical travel time.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 072440-1788441889189.png">As far as the forecast goes, there are areas where severe storms will be possible throughout the day. One area is across the plains with the main threats being strong winds and large hail. Isolated tornadoes are possible in South Dakota. Another isolated threat for severe weather remains for portions of the Gulf Coast, including cities like New Orleans.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080556-1788789966265.png">It's still all about the heat from the Central U.S. to the Southeast. Here's a look at high temperatures for your Labor Day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080612-1788789980970.png">National parks are another popular option for travelers looking to spend the final stretch of summer outdoors. Denver and Las Vegas are serving as major jumping-off points for visitors traveling to parks across the West, including Rocky Mountain, Arches, Zion and Grand Canyon.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 073709-1788442652697.png">With millions of people expected to be on the move, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead. Leaving early in the day can help drivers avoid some of the worst congestion, while checking road conditions before departure can help identify delays or alternate routes.&nbsp;Drivers should also make sure their vehicles are ready for a longer trip. Batteries, tires, and fluids are among the basics worth checking before hitting the highway. Keeping water, snacks, jumper cables, a flashlight, and first-aid supplies in the vehicle can also help if problems develop along the way.&nbsp;The holiday weekend traditionally marks one of the final major travel periods of the summer season, and whether Americans are heading to the beach, mountains, national parks or another city, crowded roads and airports are likely to be part of the journey.&nbsp;Stay tuned for more of the forecast with WeatherNation TV.

Taban Sharifi

Labor Day Travel Underway as Americans Hit the Roads and Take to the Skies

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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!

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The Pacific hurricane season is showing no signs of slowing down as multiple tropical systems churn across the basin, with warm ocean temperatures and a strengthening El Niño helping create favorable conditions for development. Lowell and Marie remain active in the Pacific. There is another area of medium potential for tropical development this week that we are keeping a close eye on southwest of MexicoMarie is still pumping some moisture into the southwestern U.S., though the heaviest of the rainfall has already come down across Southern California.<h3>MORE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/marie-could-impact-labor-day-plans-in-southern-california#google_vignette">Marie's Moisture Pulled into the Southwest for Labor Day</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 074823-1788789575937.png"></h3><h3>LOWELL</h3>With well above average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, tropical activity continues to be fast and furious. One storm that will have to be watched for the Hawaiian Islands is Hurricane Lowell. That storm will swing near the western end of Hawaii, bringing impacts to islands like Kaui and O'ahu.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080017-1788789625368.png">While the center of Lowell is expected to pass west of Kaui, its massive wind field will still bring a chance for tropical storm force winds to the islands through Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080046-1788789663586.png">High surf will be another big threat, creating hazards for beach goers and mariners through the early part of the week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080206-1788789735004.png">Periods of heavy rain will be possible through Wednesday as Lowell passes by. Flash flooding and mudslides will be possible, especially across Kauai County and The Big Island.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080351-1788789871877.png"><h1>El Niño Helping Fuel Pacific Activity</h1>The surge in tropical activity comes as El Niño continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific. El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures across portions of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. Those unusually warm waters can influence weather patterns around the globe while also creating an environment that can favor tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 105616-1788368212978.png">This year’s El Niño has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.While the Pacific remains crowded with tropical systems, many of the current storms are expected to remain over open water. Still, with several additional areas being monitored, the active stretch of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season is far from over.Click here for more on what is happening in the Atlantic Basin: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Edouard-Impacts-Gulf-Coast">Edouard Impacting the Gulf Coast</a>

Lowell Could Brush Hawaii as the Eastern Pacific Remains Hyperactive

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While many do not associate tropical storms and hurricanes with the Desert Southwest, it's not unusual to see remnant moisture from these systems pulled into the region several times a year from decaying systems in the Eastern Pacific. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 074736-1788788866148.png">Hurricane Marie has brought over 2" of rainfall across portions of California. The moisture will not be as present the next few days as it was over the weekend but some portions of the four corners are still looking at isolated flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 074823-1788788922441.png">If you are spending Labor Day along the coast of Southern California, be vigilant of the coastal conditions. There are Coastal Flood Advisories in effect through Tuesday along with high surf and dangerous rip currents.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 074806-1788788940545.png">LA County beaches could see surf upwards of 12 feet throughout Labor Day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 075222-1788789164486.png">If you are going to the beaches, swim near a lifeguard! This is true even for more experienced swimmers.If you ever find yourself caught in a rip current:<ol><li>Don't panic. If you panic and try to swim back to shore against the current, you will exhaust your energy.</li><li>Swim parallel to the coastline. Once you're out of the grip of the rip you'll be able to move towards the shoreline.</li><li>If swimming parallel is too difficult. Float on your back and try to signal for help!</li><li>Listen to the lifeguards and monitor beach conditions before you go into the water.</li></ol><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 081848-1788368179615.jpg">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest in the forecast.

Marie's Moisture Pulled into the Southwest for Labor Day

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Tracey Anthony

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A relentless ridge of high pressure has been tormenting much of the middle and eastern portions of the lower 48 for the past week. For the Labor Day Weekend, the ridge will shift east allowing the heat to spill into the SE a bit but for the most part holding it's ground through the week.Several records were broken across MO and AR on Saturday &amp; Sunday. More records are possible Labor Day and into the work week. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061654-1788789522665.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062145-1788789965645.png">Heat alerts remain in effect for millions of people through the next several days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062044-1788789599027.png">Many highs will climb into the 90s for cities like Birmingham, Atlanta, and Jackson.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-06 071623-1788700610458.png">Temperatures across the Lone Star Sate are also going to remain in the triple digits for several spots. Even up to Oklahoma City, temperatures will hit the century mark.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-06 071637-1788700649167.png">Unfortunately for the middle of the country, the middle of September likely wont bring any relief from the heat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-06 071904-1788700754382.png">Tune in to WeatherNation for the latest.

Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2095897171560477173" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2095897171560477173"></div>Severe storms have been following the same path this week, trekking from the Midwest into the Northeast. Another round of intense storms rolled through these areas on Thursday, with an EF-2 tornado in Detroit. Thursday's tornado was the first tornado within the Detroit Metro since July 1997!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/1-1788572871546.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102531-1788625559173.png">The intense winds have led to numerous downed power lines, leaving around 500,000 households in the dark Friday morning. Those numbers have been steadily improving since, but many are still without power around Detroit.<h1>Severe Threat Shifts South</h1>Through Saturday, the overall pattern should begin to change, although a lingering threat for strong or severe thunderstorms may remain across parts of the Carolinas. With repeated rounds of thunderstorms possible, some communities could experience more than one episode of severe weather or flooding before conditions finally improve.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102511-1788625519532.png"><h1>Storm Timing</h1><h2>Saturday</h2>New rounds of storms could get going early Saturday around the Great Lakes, dropping across the Ohio Valley through the day. Storms continue to dive farther south on Saturday as the front cruises down the east coast.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/FORECAST-1788568573869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Sun - Mon</h2>While some overnight storms are possible, Sunday morning looks to start mostly quiet, with a few isolated storms. By the afternoon, the front will trigger a new round of scattered to numerous thunderstorms, with several of these storms turning severe. Monday's threat will follow the front south into portions of Florida, Southern Georgia, and Southern Alabama.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05 10-42-55-1788626603869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flood Risk</h1>Heavy rainfall rates are expected to lead to flooding issues. The heaviest rain through Sunday morning is likely in the eastern Carolinas and SE Virginia. A level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rain has been issued for these areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102645-1788625617628.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102648-1788625639295.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 104232-1788626567428.png">For more on the severe and flooding threat across the Northeast, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your Eastern Regional Forecast.

Rob Bradley

Power Still Out for Thousands; Severe Storms Target the East Coast This Weekend

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Intense rainfall has inundated parts of Texas this week thanks to, what was, Tropical Storm Edouard. Rain totals east of I-45, north of Houston, have come in at over 15 inches for a few areas.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2095195048312995975" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2095195048312995975"></div> The heavy rain led to flash flood emergencies being issued this past Wednesday, as roads became impassable in some areas. High rainfall totals for East Texas due to the heavy rain. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/pic4-1788473855278.png"> Additional heavy rain is expected for a few areas on Thursday, leading to a lingering flood threat, primarily due to saturated soils.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/pic4-1788474026008.png">The WPC has issued a moderate risk (level 3 out of 4) for parts of eastern Texas, with a level 2 threat that covers portions of the Dallas area. Isolated flooding may linger on Friday before the remnant moisture finally fades.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/pic4-1788474917265.png"><h1>Landfall</h1> Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall along the northwestern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, September 1st. The National Hurricane Center used radar data from Lake Charles, LA and Houston, TX to determine maximum sustained winds of 60 mph as it moved ashore around 2:20 PM CT near Johnson Bayou, LA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 194333-1788399821665.png">Wind speeds across portions of Texas peaked to 90 mph. Multiple areas saw wind speeds over 70 mph, leading to power outages for over 75,000 households.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 074944-1788356992093.png">

Patrick Crawford

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>There is a significant severe threat for hail and winds Thursday. Hail 2 inches in diameter or larger will be possible, and gusts 75 mph + will also be possible. Have multiple ways to get alerts, as some storms will hold together into the overnight hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 195114-1788400331561.png">The Storm Prediction Center has a MARGINAL to SLIGHT risk for severe storms Thursday and Friday. Isolated tornadoes will also be possible on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 195118-1788400346486.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 195232-1788400358755.png">Below is the latest on the timing of these storms Thursday and Friday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/09-02 rnc thu-1788400367321.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the latest updates on these storms, make sure to tune into the central regional forecast:30 past the hour.

Alana Cameron

More Severe Weather For The Plains

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From <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/video/video-hurricane-hunter-in-search-of-different-kind-of-storm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NOAA</a>
This spring one of NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter P-3 Orion airplanes, known best for flying through tropical cyclones, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NOAAHurricaneHunters/videos/10155902856415081/">took to the skies for a different research cause</a>: The tracking of tornadoes in the southeastern United States.
https://www.facebook.com/NOAAHurricaneHunters/videos/10155902856415081/

&nbsp;
Tornadoes in the Southeast can form quickly and unexpectedly – and with deadly results. Researchers working on the third annual <a href="https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/projects/vortexse/">VORTEX-SE </a>experiment gathered data from the plane above the clouds and from radars on the ground to better understand – and ultimately provide better forecasts for – the storms that produce tornadoes in this region. By capturing data from multiple angles, NOAA scientists hope to learn more about how these tornadoes differ from those that spawn in the Great Plains.
&nbsp;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X09kVUDRzhQ

&nbsp;

Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels

Hurricane Hunters in Search of a Different Kind of Storms - Severe Weather

Labor Day Travel Underway as Americans Hit the Roads and Take to the Skies

The unofficial end of summer is bringing anot

Lowell Could Brush Hawaii as the Eastern Pacific Remains Hyperactive

The Pacific hurricane season is showing no si

Marie's Moisture Pulled into the Southwest for Labor Day

While many do not associate tropical storms a

Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

A relentless ridge of high pressure has been

Power Still Out for Thousands; Severe Storms Target the East Coast This Weekend

Severe storms have been following the same pa

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

Intense rainfall has inundated parts of Texas

More Severe Weather For The Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTThere is a significant severe t