Brittany Lockley

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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;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, expected severe weather to continue for the Northeast. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms for the southeast. The Midwest will have the chance for severe weather through the weekend. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-03 07-26-05-1788442028802.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video> It's still all about the heat from the Central U.S. to the Southeast. Here's a look at Saturday's high temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 073121-1788442314879.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.

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

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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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 intense rain led to flash flood emergencies being issued on Wednesday, as roads became impassable in some areas. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 045418-1788432876202.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/Screenshot 2026-09-03 045712-1788433043107.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/Screenshot 2026-09-03 045737-1788433064748.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">

Rob Bradley

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

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NEW YORK - Numerous tornado-warned storms moved through New York and Pennsylvania late Wednesday evening, causing stormy scenes like above in Avon, NY. Winds were reported up to 76 mph in the city of Seneca Falls, New York, and hail was reported up to 2" in Michigan.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040555-1788429969009.png"><h1>Severe Threat Shifts South Thursday&nbsp;</h1>The unsettled pattern will continue Thursday as another round of thunderstorms develops from portions of the Ohio Valley toward the Mid-Atlantic.&nbsp;The latest Storm Prediction Center outlook includes a SLIGHT risk (level 2 out of 5) for parts of this corridor, with scattered storms capable of producing damaging winds. Some storms farther west could also produce large hail.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040155-1788429726329.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040218-1788429746890.png"><h1>Heavy Rainfall Raises Flash-Flooding Concerns&nbsp;</h1>Repeated rounds of storms have led to swollen riverways in areas around the Northeast, like Indiana, in the past week. This week, the concern is more centered around flash flooding, when it simply rains too hard for too long. Portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey look to see some of the heavier rain totals over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040320-1788429812262.png">Cities like New York, Poughkeepsie, and Syracuse in New York State should stay vigilant of the flooding potential. This is especially true considering the heavy rainfall we have seen here over the last several weeks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040345-1788429865322.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040352-1788429873715.png"><h1>Storms&nbsp;Continue into Friday&nbsp;</h1>Another disturbance moving through the eastern U.S. could keep the severe-weather threat going Friday.&nbsp;The greatest risk is expected to shift farther into the southern Mid-Atlantic, where damaging wind gusts could once again be the main hazard. Some strong storms may eventually reach portions of the Carolinas.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 040454-1788429905373.png">By Saturday, the overall pattern should begin to change, although a lingering threat for strong or severe thunderstorms may remain across parts of the Carolinas.&nbsp;Residents from the Great Lakes to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and eventually the Carolinas should remain weather-aware over the next several days. 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 2026-09-03 040516-1788429929177.png"><h2>Storm Timing</h2>Storms will continue overnight across New York and into more towards the Atlantic Coast so be prepared for some rumbles of thunder, gusty winds, and isolated tornadoes through Thursday. More rounds of thunderstorms will punch through into your Thursday and Friday with ample energy to support these severe weather hazards.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/09-02_rne bams overnight-1788398807585.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on the severe and flooding threat across the Northeast, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your Eastern Regional Forecast.

Multiple Rounds of Severe Storms Threaten Northeast

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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!

Taban Sharifi

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Moisture from Marie, along with a trough to the north, will pull moisture into Southern California this weekend. The exact amount of moisture is greatly impacted by the exact track of Marie. Even minor changes in the track could make big impacts. As of Wednesday evening, Marie remains a Tropical Storm but is expected to become a Hurricane.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 194918-1788400164963.png">There are already Excessive Rainfall Outlooks in place for the weekend across the Southwest. The risks, for now, are MARGINAL. This could change.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 195015-1788400221024.png">Below is the latest on the timing. The four corners will also see some pockets of heavy rainfall over the next few days as we round out the work week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/09023-1788368442216.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Another big impact to watch out for will be high surf and dangerous rip currents. Even without a landfalling tropical storm, waves and rip currents can be greatly impacted. South facing beaches in Southern California should be on high alert for these changing conditions. Expect high surf and dangerous rip currents for the Labor Day Weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 105303-1788368116857.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.

Alana Cameron

Marie Could Impact Labor Day Plans in Southern California

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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. Hurricane Karina (now a major hurricane), Hurricane Lowell (now a major hurricane), and Tropical Storm Marie are among the latest systems to form over the open Pacific.Marie is the most recent storm to develop and could have implications for the southwestern U.S. Impacts are not likely to be direct, as the system will strengthen to hurricane status and move west, out to sea.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 185522-1788396928245.png">But Marie's moisture may get pulled up by a trough off the west coast of the United States. As it digs south, it can tap into the Pacific moisture of Marie and pull it into Southern California, Nevada, and the Four Corners States. We'll be watching the weekend forecast for rain in already soggy, flood-stricken areas.MORE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/stormy-cooler-conditions-return-to-the-west">Monsoon Storms Bring Flooding to the Southwest</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 105610-1788368183778.png">With well above average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, Lowell has strengthened to Category 5. Karina will stay a major hurricane for another day or so before gradually weakening and moving north of Hawaii.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 155434-1788386111119.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>

El Niño Powers a Party in the Pacific

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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.

More Severe Weather For The Plains

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Flood Watches are in effect throughout Arizona, Utah, and portions of Colorado (above). Watch for flash flood warnings, especially over recent burn scars. Many areas have been seeing heavy rainfall and flooding over the last few days.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2094198484853457139" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2094198484853457139"></div>Flooding in Bright Angel Canyon has led to two confirmed fatalities and over 15 people missing.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-31 134703-1788205659306.png">Pacific moisture continues to inundate the region, with days of heavy downpours for areas around the Four Corners. 1-4 inches of rain are expected in the favored locations, with scattered flash flooding possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-01 040659-1788257481476.png"><h1>Drought Relief</h1>September is favored for above-average precipitation across a majority of the Western United States. This would be a great way to end a solid monsoon season, which runs through the end of the month.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 075355-1788011658558.png">With more rain on the way, drought improvement is likely for some areas, while drought removal is even possible in others. Keep doing your rain dance (take video and tag us if you do!).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-29 075403-1788011667031.png">

Adrian Hernandez

Monsoon Moisture Brings Flooding Across the Four Corners

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"It was nerve racking, it jolted me. I was kind-of shocked for a second. The umbrella flew out of my hand and I was kind-of disoriented and ran to my car and just tried to get out of harms way," recounts Romulus McNeill after he found himself way too close to a cloud-to-ground lightning strike.

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WeatherNation Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo spoke with Romulus about this video, showing an incredibly-close lightning strike that occurred on Thursday.

"We were having a teacher-parent conference night for back to school and it was 6:42 p.m. and every one had already left the building. I had reservations about going
outside because I didn't want to get struck by lightning. And when I went outside, it just struck. And it was just kind-of shocking. It was nerve racking, it jolted me.
I was kind-of shocked for a second. The umbrella flew out of my hand and I was kind-of disoriented and ran to my car and just tried to get out of harms way," describes Romulus.

Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes happen in an instant. Lightning can strike miles from the base or top of a thunderstorm cloud. Always remember, 'When Thunder Roars, Head Indoors.'

Romulus continues his experience, "I felt like a static shock to my body. Like I said it hit on my right side and it was so quick, I just instantly got nervous and nerve racked. My principal said he
watched it through the inside of the building. He saw it from inside the building. It was thunder and lightning at the same time. What was crazy was that I saw the
lightning strike in front of me across the street by a store, but the lightning actually...I guess may have diverted or it could have been another lightning strike that
came right towards me."

In terms of advice for folks reading/watching this story?

"I'm going to be super careful about going outside in any lightning period...or thunder!"

Our appreciation to Romulus for allowing us to share this weather story to help others truly understand the dangers of lightning!

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier

Man Describes His Close Encounter With A Lightning Strike

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

The unofficial end of summer is bringing anot

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

Intense rainfall has inundated parts of Texas

Multiple Rounds of Severe Storms Threaten Northeast

NEW YORK - Numerous tornado-warned storms mov

Marie Could Impact Labor Day Plans in Southern California

Moisture from Marie, along with a trough to t

El Niño Powers a Party in the Pacific

The Pacific hurricane season is showing no si

More Severe Weather For The Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTThere is a significant severe t

Monsoon Moisture Brings Flooding Across the Four Corners

Flood Watches are in effect throughout Arizon