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

RobBradleyjpeg-1679518597323.jpeg

As anticipated, severe weather was widespread from the Midwest through the Great Plains on Friday, including over 20 reports of tornadoes. The storms also produced widespread reports of very large hail and destructive winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776480963803.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776480984502.png">The cold front that generated the severe storms in the Midwest and Southern Plains on Friday will keep moving east into the Ohio Valley on Saturday. The front will interact with more unstable and showers and storms could quickly turn severe. All modes of severe weather will be in the forecast, but the damaging winds and hail will be the primary weather threats. Isolated tornadoes are possible for the areas below.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-18 043631-1776508603955.png"><h1>Timing</h1>While rain looks to continue through the morning, afternoon heating should provide enough energy for storms to surge into severe strength once again. Scattered severe storms look possible, with a general downtrend in intensity of storms through the late evening into the overnight. Rain and snow (yes, snow) will shift farther east on Sunday with the front, keeping precipitation in the forecast for quite a few east coast residents. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-18 04-37-14-1776508746880.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rain totals could surpass an inch or two, especially form western PA into NY. Isolated flooding is possible. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-18 043845-1776508737883.png">Get the latest forecast for the East with the WeatherNation app anytime - or tune into our broadcast at :10 past the hour!

Severe Storms Shift East on Saturday

Screenshot20260418043416png-1776508495589.png

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

JesseKelleyjpeg-1679519197409.jpeg

After a quiet weekend, the next upper level low pressure moves in from Alaska. With the close proximity of the low just hanging off the coast, rain and snow chance will be increasing for Southern Oregon and Northern California!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1776454572613.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rain will be possible for Northern California especially Monday and Tuesday where a few inches will possible. As colder air drops for the Sierra, some snow chances will be possible too. Again this is good news as drought has returned to the state following the historic heatwave in March. As the low moves eastward midweek, more moisture should increase across the Rocky Mountain states. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776454814929.png">In the next week and half, the pattern should stay stormy which means more potential for snow and rain chances for California and the rest of the West. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than normal!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776454908334.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776454930131.png">

Patrick Crawford

Active Week Ahead for the West Coast

1png-1776454320523.png

Kevin Schneider

A021DDE71AA34C50BB5468289EA6B1D7jpeg-1699372868991.jpeg

More record highs fell on Friday mostly in the South with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. More records will fall on Saturday before a strong cold front moves in to cool things down on Sunday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776481393761.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776481433087.png">Saturday will be a warm afternoon in the South and Mid Atlantic region. The record warmth is fueling severe storms but the cold front will put that to bed again early next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776481544790.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776481567253.png"><h3>Fire Danger</h3>With this kind of warmth, fire concerns increase. Hot, dry conditions can quickly dry out soils and vegetation, creating more fuel for fires. Again on Saturday, there is an elevated threat of fire danger from Maryland down to the Gulf Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776481632957.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776481651724.png">

Eastern Heat and Fire Danger Persist

1-1776481567253.png

COLORADO - An estimated 70+ car pileup happened on Colorado's I-70 near the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel earlier on Tuesday, April 14th. Light snow was being reported throughout the day. I-70 was closed well into Tuesday evening, but has since been reopened.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2044230476697674132" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2044230476697674132"></div>A frontal boundary is moving across the Northern Rockies. As a result, widespread winter weather alerts are in place for higher elevations across the Northwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/PIC 3-1776437893436.jpg">This system is expected to reach Utah by tonight and much of Colorado by Friday. This next round of snow for Colorado looks to bring snow levels lower, down to the I-25 corridor.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/FORECAST-1776437807033.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Snowfall totals will vary by elevation, but mountainous areas could pick up a foot of snow.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/PIC 2-1776437841942.jpg">The air will feel much cooler over the next few days. Numerous areas are under frost and freeze alerts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776368815559.png">In true Colorado fashion, Denver's nighttime lows will drop into the 20s and 30s after a mild start on Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776368844993.png">More details on this forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Colorado I-70 Pileup on Tuesday, More Snow Late Week

Screenshot20260415131321png-1776280402990.png

UPPER MIDWEST and GREAT LAKES - Three straight days of destructive severe storms moved through Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Wednesday, NWS Kansas City confirmed two EF-0 and EF-1 tornadoes that hit the city of Clinton, MO. Check out the video below of the tornado knocking over a fuel tanks.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/VO_041626_RNC_CLINTON, MO_AWESOME CLOSE UP SHOT OF THE TORNADO VORTICE &amp; KNOCKS OVER LARGE CYLINDERS_FB_MS_E041626-1776367783604.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-16 073701-1776346632507.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2044202476317093912" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2044202476317093912"></div><h2>Overnight</h2>Storms are expected to continue to weaken as we have lost daytime heating. Some rough storms still remain possible across Arkansas and Tennessee that could produce some damaging winds and hail. An isolated severe storm or two is also possible for New England.<h1>Timing</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1776392246151.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms in the same areas, this may lead to an isolated to scattered flooding risk across the Great Lakes region. Be prepared for flooding, especially if you still have some snow on the ground; frozen ground can take longer to absorb flood waters compared to unfrozen ground. Flood alerts continue into Friday with the next round of severe storms in the forecast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776368095919.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776368119393.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2044599476434907195" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2044599476434907195"></div>

Severe Storms Leave a Mark on the Great Lakes

1png-1776392088816.png

SW PLAINS - Portions of Texas and Oklahoma are at risk of severe thunderstorms through Thursday morning. The threat for severe storms is expected to slow into the overnight hours but is still non-zero. Wind reports earlier on Wednesday gusted up to 84 mph in Elk City, Oklahoma.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-15 195038-1776304346569.png">In addition to this significant hail risk, there is also a risk of tornadoes with these supercells.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-15 195124-1776304385162.png">The risk for flooding is fairly minimal in these areas, but models do have a few localized, heavier downpours through the next couple of days in these areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-15 132632-1776281196660.png">

Alana Cameron

Overnight Storms Slow for Texas and Oklahoma

Screenshot20260415195038png-1776304308005.png

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

TabanSharifijpeg-1679519287847.jpeg

<h1>Multi-Day Severe Storm Set-Up</h1>We continue to see the busy April pattern from Texas to the Great Lakes. A huge trough will swing through, bringing a severe threat risk on Tuesday and Wednesday. All severe threats will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Heavy rainfall will also be embedded in some storms, raising concerns about flooding. Make sure to stay with us for the latest updates and shifts in the forecast.An ENHANCED (level 3 out of 5) risk for severe weather is in place on Tuesday. The outlook even expands a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk out into the northeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-14 072908-1776173358269.jpg">Similarly, on Wednesday, we'll have another outlook where two hot spots for severe weather are highlighted. At this point, however, a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather is issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-14 063457-1776162907110.png">Daytime heating will help to spark up thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. Some storms will remain strong into the evening and nighttime hours, so make sure to have multiple ways to get alerts.In addition to severe storm hazards (wind, hail, and tornadoes), heavy rainfall rates are expected to lead to flash flood potential. It doesn't appear to be a high-end flooding threat, but as the forecast draws closer, we will keep you updated!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-14 073108-1776173482064.jpg">For a deep dive into the north and south sides of this severe threat, visit the following articles on our website! <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/upper-midwest-and-great-lakes-enhanced-risks">North Side</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/dryline-driven-storms-for-texas-and-oklahoma">South Side</a>

Storm Overview: Who All Is At Risk This Week?

anareaoflowpng-1776025462961.png

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.

PatrickCrawfordjpeg-1679518802702.jpeg

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch (above) has been added for portions of Texas through Oklahoma until 10 p.m. CT. Scattered hail up to 2" in diameter along with 70 mph winds will be possible.The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a SLIGHT risk (level 2 out of 5) with the primary threat of large hail in the areas in yellow.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/Capture-1681181136533.JPG">The tornado threat will be limited with the storms having a hard time rotating but we will have the opportunity for damaging winds and hail.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/ok-1681173258975.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/Capture-1681181187470.JPG">Anyone located in areas of Oklahoma and Kansas will need to be weather aware during the rest of the evening hours. Heavy rain could create some trouble during the evening commute around the OKC metro. Storms die down shortly after sunset tonight.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/04/dyingstorms-1681181274590.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>More updates are on the way on today's severe risk. You can always see the South-Central forecast at 30 minutes past the hour every hour.

Isolated Severe Storms for the Central and Southern Plains Continue Overnight

Severe Storms Shift East on Saturday

As anticipated, severe weather was widespread

Active Week Ahead for the West Coast

After a quiet weekend, the next upper level l

Eastern Heat and Fire Danger Persist

More record highs fell on Friday mostly in th

Colorado I-70 Pileup on Tuesday, More Snow Late Week

COLORADO - An estimated 70+ car pileup happen

Severe Storms Leave a Mark on the Great Lakes

UPPER MIDWEST and GREAT LAKES - Three straigh

Overnight Storms Slow for Texas and Oklahoma

SW PLAINS - Portions of Texas and Oklahoma ar

Storm Overview: Who All Is At Risk This Week?

Multi-Day Severe Storm Set-UpWe continue to s