Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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An unsettled weather pattern will continue to bring heavy rainfall across portions of the south, and the flood threat continues over the next few days. Chattanooga, TN, set a daily record for rainfall on Sunday with 1.40". Over the next few days, heavy rain and flooding will be concerns.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/CHATANOOGA-1779709115207.png">There are outlooks from the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) for heavy rainfall over the next few days. These outlooks are under level 2 risks, meaning scattered flooding will remain possible through Wednesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/stalled out front-1779709199680.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As we look ahead, rounds of rain will be possible over the next few days. Always use caution when approaching flood waters, and never drive through.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/low in southsss-1779739879531.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Use caution if you are travelling in these hard-hit areas. A good reminder to avoid driving through flooded roadways at all costs. You never know what's under that water.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 053417-1779190502548.png">While this rain is leading to flash flooding, it is beneficial for many areas since drought conditions are widespread and intense for many of these locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 071648-1779542228755.png">

Repeated Rain Raising the Flood Threat

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>A trough will combine with instability, and over the next few days, we can see multiple rounds of severe weather for portions of Texas and New Mexico. Today, cities like El Paso and Alamogordo have a damaging wind threat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/through tonigh -1779739704621.png">On Tuesday, there is a marginal and slight risk for severe weather across portions of Texas and New Mexico. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/tx2 -1779709681302.png">A Significant hail threat is in place on Tuesday. Cities like San Angelo and Midland have a chance to see large hail! Hailstones up to 2 inches will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/sig hail threat -1779709975231.png">Expect storms to get going daily, and anything that does develop will have the potential to be strong to severe.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/tuesday tex-1779739765200.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rainfall will be a concern as well, with any storms that do develop.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/texas 4 -1779709696866.png">For more on the Texas severe threat, tune into WeatherNation at :30 past the hour.

Severe Threat For Portions of Texas To Start The Week

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>On Sunday, South Dakota and Minnesota saw storms that brought hailstones up to 2 inches (ABOVE). The severe threat continues today across portions of the Northern Plains. Cities like Sioux Falls and North Platte are at severe risk today. Damaging winds and hail will be the primary concern.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/overnightssssaa-1779740727992.png"><h1>TIMING</h1>Although convection may be limited, anything that develops, if it gains enough steam, could produce damaging winds and large hail. Some storms will be possible through the overnight hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/tuesday ammm-1779740916427.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>RAIN TOTALS</h1>Most folks look to be dry, as the threat is limited. Rainfall totals from a tenth of an inch to an inch will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/RAINFALL-1779711098273.png">

Severe Storms Target The Northern Plains

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>Heavy rain has already hit numerous areas in the Southeast this past week, creating major flash flooding issues in Atlanta. A marginal risk for severe weather remains in place for Sunday and into the overnight hours for portions of GA, AL &amp; FL. Damaging winds and hail will be the primary concern. On Monday, we have another chance of strong-to-severe storms, including in Tallahassee and Atlanta. Once again, damaging winds will be the main concern. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/mondayyaa-1779653951757.png">As the low moves through, scattered showers and storms will continue through the holiday on Monday. Heavy rain will also be a concern as this frontal boundary lingers. Always turn around and never attempt to drive through flood waters. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/ovvv-1779654086424.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Additional heavy rain is expected to increase the potential for flash flooding, in addition to strong storms and severe weather threats. For more on the flood potential, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/repeated-rain-raises-flood-threat-down-south">click here</a>.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 073318-1779543220474.png">More rain is expected over the next few days for portions of the south. Mobile, Alabama, will have storms around for Memorial Day, and the storm chances continue into Tuesday and Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/mobile alabama-1779640203804.png">

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

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Karissa is the Director of On-Air Operations at WeatherNation. Karissa grew up loving math and science, but really fell in love with Meteorology while attending the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After two summers of storm chasing in the central plains, she knew that it was the career path for her. Standing in front of a thunderstorm and feeling the cool outflow knock her over was an experience she will never forget. After two years at COD, she transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver. Karissa graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology. Her high school and college speech and meteorology professors were extremely supportive and pushed her to succeed. Before joining the WeatherNation team, she previously worked as the Morning Meteorologist at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa and at WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL. She recently was part of a National Edward R. Murrow award winning team for breaking news for their coverage of the EF-4 tornado in Washington, Illinois. In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking and trying new foods. She is a self proclaimed 'TV Junkie' who can get into just about any show. She is a die hard Chicago sports fan who loves attending professional sporting events.

Karissa Klos

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NOAA has released <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-below-normal-2026-atlantic-hurricane-season">their predictions for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season</a>. They are calling for a below normal season with 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 1-3 major hurricanes. For probability, they predict a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season. As a reminder, even below average seasons can have major impacts. All it takes is one storm making landfall for it to be a devastating season in the U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 100455-1779379504114.png">NOAA sites several factors in their forecast, including the burgeoning El Ni­­ño, and possible Super Ni­­ño, shaping up in the tropical Pacific. The expectation for an El Ni­­ño event during the peak of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane season is a big factor in keeping numbers lower than previous years, along with near normal sea surface temperatures, which have been much above average in recent seasons.The confidence in an El Niño developing this summer is quite high, but the remaining question is how strong will the event be? A weak El Ni­­ño typically has a lower impact on the tropics in the Atlantic, while a strong El Ni­­ño has a more consistent impact. Each updated forecast from the Climate Prediction Center shows higher confidence in this year's El Ni­­ño being on the strong side.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 083641-1779374209515.png">Why does El Ni­­ño typically reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin? The warmer water in the equatorial pacific often leads to a more energetic sub-tropical jet, leading to stronger winds in the upper-atmosphere over the Caribbean. Surface winds in the Caribbean most often comes from the east, known as the trade winds. When these winds lay under strong winds from the opposite (or even the same direction), it leads to strong wind shear which tears hurricanes apart.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 063418-1775740706915.png">“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”If this year's name list looks familiar, it's the same one from the historically active 2020 season. There is one difference: the name "Laura" was retired after Hurricane Laura devastated the Louisiana coast. It was replaced with "Leah".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 065301-1775741404492.png"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/csu-releases-first-hurricane-forecast-for-2026">Colorado State University's Tropical Weather Department has already released their early forecast for the Atlantic Hurricane Season.</a> They are calling for a near normal to slightly below average season with 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. Even with a slightly below average season, major hurricanes are expected with many other named storms. Any named storm that hits land can have major to extreme impacts, so join us here on WeatherNation for Hurricane Prep Week! We'll be talking science with the experts, preparations and so much more. Be sure to check us out LIVE on<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/watch-us"> these platforms</a> or on our YouTube stream June 1-7!<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CcuXpHBtV9o" start="0"></iframe></div>

NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2026 Hurricane Season

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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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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released several important seasonal outlooks today, including their expectations for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season. Hurricane season and summer are expected to be impacted by a burgeoning El Niño, which could be very strong through much of the second half of 2026. Among the new outlooks issued are the seasonal forecasts for meteorological summer, which runs from June through August. NOAA is expecting much of the lower 48 to experience above-average temperatures (top of page), with higher confidence across the Western U.S. The Midwest and parts of the middle Mississippi Valley have an even chance for above or below-average temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113803-1779385356524.png">Much of the country is forecast to have near-normal rainfall for meteorological summer, but a few areas are favored for below-average precipitation. These include the Texas Gulf Coast, Upper-Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. In contrast, the Northeastern U.S. is slightly favored to see above-average precipitation. There is some confidence in parts of the Four Corners region having above-average rainfall, indicating the Climate Prediction Center expects an above-average monsoon season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113858-1779385377893.png">Not surprisingly, the forecast rainfall in the Four Corners could lead to drought improvement, which is expected in the seasonal drought outlook (above). Drought is also expected to improve in Florida, parts of Texas, and the lower Mississippi Valley. Drought is expected to expand or develop from California through Minnesota.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113928-1779385397348.png">The North American Monsoon (NAM) develops in Mexico in June and shifts north into the Four Corners, Great Basin, and California into July, August, and September. More data is needed to understand any correlation between El Niño and the NAM, but tropical systems tend to be more active in the Eastern Pacific during El Niño years. Remnants of these systems can greatly increase rainfall during the NAM.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 114106-1779385397348.png">

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

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Several rounds of storms have been swinging through the Southern Plains the last few days, producing large hail, damaging winds, flooding, and even a few tornadoes. Severe storms will remain in the forecast for the long weekend, with all modes of severe weather possible. Yet again, hail was the biggest risk of severe weather on Friday, with hail up to tennis and baseball-sized across the Texas Panhandle. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/1-1779501942188.png">Additional scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast for parts of the Lone Star state and Mississippi (top of page), with the biggest hazards being damaging winds, large hail, and heavy downpours. An isolated tornado or two will be possible across portions of the Magnolia State. <h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 144208-1779568935067.png">Forecast</h1>New rounds of thunderstorms are expected across the Southern Plains through the evening hours, with some storms persisting overnight. By Sunday, the upper-level energy supporting the storms will move farther east toward the Sabine River, bringing a better chance for storms into Louisiana and Mississippi.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/sattxstorms-1779569121085.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As mentioned above, heavy rainfall is likely in spots, and flooding will occur. The Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana could see rainfall of over six inches!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 144544-1779569159662.png">

Dave Holder

Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast

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From: WPEC, CBS12 News (West Palm Beach, FL)

Emergency crews in South Florida say one woman is dead and two others were injured after a lightning strike in Parkland, Florida. The woman killed has been identified as Maria Francisco Pascual, 53, of Lake Worth, FL.

The incident happened at the C.W. Hendrix Farms around 2 in the afternoon.

WeatherNation affiliate WPEC is <a href="http://cbs12.com/news/local/lightning-survivor-reacts-to-latest-lightning-strike-that-killed-woman">following this story</a>, and will continue to provide updates.

&nbsp;

Lightning deaths can happen any time of year, but are more common May through September.

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-91432" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/05/lightning-1-420x235.jpg" alt="" width="420" height="235" />

&nbsp;

Wednesday's fatal strike makes the 3rd U.S. lightning death this year, with another having occurred in Florida in April, and the 3rd in Texas in February, <a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-fatalities">according to NOAA</a>.

Florida leads the U.S. in lightning related fatalities each year. From 1990-2003, there were 126 lightning deaths in Florida.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-91451" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/05/1990-2003Fatalities.gif" alt="" width="599" height="340" />

&nbsp;

Safety:

To read up on how to stay safe in lightning, the National Weather Service has several resources available so you can keep yourself and your family safe. <a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning">Click here</a> to visit the Lightning Safety site from NWS.

Lightning Kills 1 Person in Florida

Repeated Rain Raising the Flood Threat

An unsettled weather pattern will continue to

Severe Threat For Portions of Texas To Start The Week

WHAT TO EXPECTA trough will combine with inst

Severe Storms Target The Northern Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTOn Sunday, South Dakota and Min

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTHeavy rain has already hit nume

NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2026 Hurricane Season

NOAA has released their predictions for the 2

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administ

Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast

Several rounds of storms have been swinging t