Kevin Schneider

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More rounds of heavy rain are expected to move across parts of the South over the next several days, increasing the risk for flash flooding in areas that have already seen significant rainfall. The wet weather pattern is expected to linger into next week as moisture from the Gulf continues fueling repeated thunderstorms across the region.Flood concerns remain high in parts of the south where the ground is already saturated from recent storms. Some areas have dealt with flooded roads, high water rescues, and strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail. With additional rain in the forecast, it will not take much to trigger more flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas.&nbsp;<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2060179321956762045" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2060179321956762045"></div>The flood threat is expected to stretch from the Central Plains to the Southeast Coast. Several inches of rain could fall in some locations as storms repeatedly move over the same areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 162957-1780266605284.png">Daily afternoon thunderstorm chances will persist over the southeastern U.S. as we head into the end of the weekend and into early next week as well.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-31 wide bams-1780251383764.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Severe weather is even possible across these areas by Monday, if you live in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, or Arkansas, the SPC has highlighted a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms on Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 163019-1780266624349.png">While this rain is causing flash flooding, it is beneficial in many areas, as widespread drought conditions were introduced in this week's drought update, with Mississippi and Alabama having the greatest improvements. The persistent storm pattern is being driven by a slow-moving system interacting with deep tropical moisture from the Gulf. By Tuesday, the better ingredients for severe storms settle into the Sunshine State.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-31 rse tuesday w spc-1780251394157.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Because the system is not moving quickly, repeated rounds of rain are possible through the coming days. Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to stay weather-aware and avoid driving through flooded roadways.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 115148-1779817916121.png">Tune into WeatherNation for more details.

Taban Sharifi

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

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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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MAY 2026: Meteorological spring officially ends on May 31st before giving way to meteorological summer (June-July-August). As we wrap up the season, we're taking a look back at May, typically the most active tornado month of the year in th United States, to see how this year compared to average.<h3>Tornado Climatology</h3>First, it's important to understand the baseline. April, May, and June, account for more than half (54%) of the average annual tornado totals in the U.S. May alone averages 268 tornadoes nationwide.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 142144-1780258994499.png"><h3>2026 vs. Average</h3>According to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/summary/">SPC</a> this year we've had 162 tornadoes reported this May, pending data from May 31st.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 142548-1780259261127.png">That doesn't mean the month has been without impact. Several notable tornadoes occurred across the country:<ul><li>May 6 - Mississippi: An EF3 tornado tracked from Sibley to Monticello, injuring 23 people and destroying numerous homes, mobile homes, and vehicles. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2052569172065042760" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2052569172065042760"></div></li><li>May 17 - Nebraska: An EF3 tornado struck near St. Libory, damaging or destroying homes and a rural housing development.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2056185501854650512" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2056185501854650512"></div></li><li>May 19 - Texas: An EF3 tornado impacted Mineral Wells, damaging homes and businesses throughout the community.</li></ul>While May 2026 was less active than average by the numbers, a few statistics stand out: Oklahoma recorded just 2 tornado reports this month, compared to its May average of 32. States that had an above average May were: Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Florida, and Mississippi.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 141156-1780259869233.png"> <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 141202-1780260236683.png">Looking at the past four years, Oklahoma has been below average in three of them. The exception was 2024, when the state recorded 54 tornadoes. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 140939-1780259933980.png">For more on what to expect for the rest of this severe weather season, be sure to join us on WeatherNation, we stream 24/7.

May 2026 Tornado Recap: Below Average, But Not Without Impact

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PLAINS - Renewed rounds of severe weather are expected to unfold across the High Plains to the Ozarks, to the Deep South as we round out the weekend and head into next week. Hot temperatures, high moisture, and an upper-level low-pressure system are all creating an environment favorable for severe weather.<h2>SPC - Severe Outlooks</h2>The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded to a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms centered around Kansas City Sunday afternoon. A few strong to locally severe storms are possible for the Central United States due to a trough over the northern Rockies.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 121010-1780251025720.png">On Monday, there is a SLIGHT risk again for severe storms across eastern Colorado and into Kansas and a marginal risk extending all the way to the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Thunderstorms capable of producing severe wind gusts and large hail are likely, the hail threat higher for Colorado and Kansas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 121015-1780251036786.png"><h2>Timing</h2> As we head into Sunday afternoon, you'll see some isolated to scattered strong storms push through and then on Monday new storms will form into the afternoon from the Plains to the lower MS Valley.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-31 rnc-1780251112743.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on the severe threat, tune into WeatherNation at :30 past the hour.

Nation's Heartland Expects Active Severe Forecast

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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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Hurricane Preparedness Week begins Monday, June 1, on WeatherNation. This is also the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15.Right now, the National Hurricane Center is tracking two disturbances in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. One with a high chance of tropical development and one with a low chance (above). The names for the Eastern Pacific starts with Amanda.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 074929-1780235388727.png">The Climate Prediction Center Outlook showcases a low to medium chance for development through the beginning of June.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 074935-1780235413480.png">Sea surface temperatures for the Pacific are already very warm for the start of the season. The El Nino pattern showcases the potential for higher activity across the Eastern Pacific. On the other hand, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/noaa-predictions-for-the-2026-hurricane-season">NOAA Predicts a Below Normal 2026 Season for the Atlantic</a> basin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-31 074939-1780235440882.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest during hurricane season. Join us through Hurricane Prep Week, June 1 - June 7.

Tracking Two Disturbances in the Pacific Ocean

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Clear skies provided perfect viewing conditions for Manhattanhenge this year. The biannual event took place on Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29, when the setting sun aligned with the east-west street grid of Manhattan. The timing couldn't have been better, as clouds and rain showers moved into the Northeast over the weekend, obscuring the view.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2060201967289577750" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2060201967289577750"></div>While some saw rain for the first half of the weekend, high elevations in New Hampshire actually saw some snowfall on Saturday! Mount Washington reported nearly 6" of snowfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-30 190735-1780189663746.png">The next quick-moving system moves in on Sunday, bringing rain showers and some embedded storms. The chance for additional snow has lowered for these spots.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-30 190848-1780189736644.png">On Sunday, a quick-moving cold front brings New York and northern New England rain chances. Some start in the Champlain Valley as early as daybreak and continue to follow the front throughout the day into more of New England.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-30 rne bams3k overnight-1780189842614.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The pattern ahead will also keep temperatures on the comfortable side as we wrap up meteorological spring and move into meteorological summer on Monday, June 1st!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/pic5-1780176839270.png">For more on this be sure to join us on WeatherNation at :10 past the hour for your eastern regional forecast.

Wrapping Up Another Cool and Wet Weekend for the Northeast

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<h1>SET-UP</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 3-1780015341246.jpg">An upper low is sitting and spinning over the Great Basin out west. That puts our friends in the northwest on the northern side of this feature. Usually, you're looking at areas on the southern and eastern peripheries with the best dynamics for storms. Regardless, a strong corridor of winds is expected to spark storms each afternoon over the next few days.<h1>IMPACTS</h1>Check out some of the damaging wind reports from Thursday's storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/PIC 2-1780015303746.jpg">The wind threat will be the primary severe weather threat for Friday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1780061390025.png"><h1>TIMING</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/FORECAST-1780015366094.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Showers will be sporadic but strengthen each afternoon. Notice they'll rotate from east to west since we're staying north of the low spinning up these severe chances.

Patrick Crawford

Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

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Tracey Anthony

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Record high temperatures have been breaking since Memorial Day Weekend in the Northern Plains, making the High Plains the hottest temperatures across the country! On Wednesday, another record was broken in this area for Baker, Montana, reaching 89°!Heat Advisories remain in effect for portions of Montana through Thursday for the dangerous heat. Afternoon highs will once again soar into the 90's<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/web 3-1779977649808.png">The heat will remain into Friday, but more storm chances could throw some cloud cover into the afternoons, which might help.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 183319-1779928459791.png">When record heat strikes, often times so does fire danger. Red flag warnings impact most the counties under the heat advisory today. Be mindful of anything that could spark a flame! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/web 5-1779977987247.png">Record highs in Billings will be in trouble through Friday, before relief rolls in for the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Web 1-1779977558933.png">

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

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Wild developments have surfaced from the state of California after local authorities arrested a man believed to be tied to the Park Fire. He pushed a burning car into a ditch, that started the blaze on Wednesday, July 24. The day it started, it grew over 124,000 acres with little containment. Now, the fire is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/24/park-fire">burning more than 399k acres</a>. The fire is burning across Butte and Tehama County, north of Chico. According to CalFire, the fire continues to burn very actively in steep terrain, which has made it difficult to access for firefighters.Related article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Wildfire%20Smoke%20Impacting%20Air%20Quality%20Across%20the%20West,%20Central%20U.S.">Wildfire Smoke Impacting Air Quality Across the West, Central U.S.</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/1-1722656433076.png">The map below shows the Park Fire's recent activity which started after a burning car was pushed into a gully. On Wednesday, it was sparked and began moving to the north of Chico (red). Then Thursday (dark orange) it burned to the north. Friday (orange) the fire burned to the east and northwest. Saturday (light orange), the fire burned toward CA Highway 44. Then on Sunday and Monday (mustard to light yellow), more flames engulfed Highway 44 and reached farther east into the Plumas National Forest. Tuesday (lightest yellow) headed towards Mineral and Prattville.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/1-1722626545687.png">Within the first five days, the Park Fire grew to become one of California's largest wildfires on record. On Friday, August 2nd it surpassed 399,000 acres, making it the 4th largest wildfire in California state history. The largest wildfire (or group of fires) was the August Lightning Complex fires in northern California in 2020, when more than a million acres of land was scorched.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/1-1722626651028.png">We're entering the hottest time of the year in this part of the country, which could continue drying vegetation and making it conducive for fire starts. Prevent future fires by obeying burn bans, avoiding anything that sparks, and properly disposing of anything lit on fire. We will continue to update you on this developing story.