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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An area of high pressure will remain locked out west, and this means we see the potential for record highs this week! Sunday, several spots in Southern California broke and tied records for the day. Multiple records will continue to be challenged as this ridge of high pressure brings the heat! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113208-1791221531693.png">Heat alerts remain in place over the next few days as temperatures will run 10-20 degrees above average for some!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113220-1791221548654.png">Check out temperatures in Los Angeles! The average high is normally 75°, but temperatures will flirt with the century mark even on Monday! Temperatures will remain in the upper 90s for Las Vegas and Phoenix. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113239-1791221563558.png">Los Angeles has had such a hot stretch over the last several months. So much so that the time frame of June 1 through October 4 is the hottest stretch of all time for Downtown Los Angeles. The average maximum high temperature was 86.3°. The previous record was 85.9° from 1981.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113339-1791221623399.png">The NW will also be threatening record high temperatures. Spokane and Missoula normally see temps in the 60s this time of year but will be in the upper 70s to around 80.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113429-1791221674940.png">There is an Elevated risk for fire danger through tonight across portions of the northwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113455-1791221719970.png">Tune in to WeatherNation for the latest on this forecast and records that break throughout the days to come.

Record Heat Returns to the West

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h1>Pacific Basin</h1>The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active so far this hurricane season, with no signs of slowing down. Nolo is now Typhon Nolo. Hurricane Rachel is still churning, and a new area of interest is likely to develop this week.<h2>Rachel</h2>Rachel continues to impact the western Mexico coastline non-directly, it will continue its trek west through the week. At times, this storm will run into some wind shear and weaken somewhat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113735-1791221859475.png">The current forecast brings this storm out across open waters while decreasing in intensity in the coming days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113753-1791221877503.png">There is another area of potential interest we are watching in the Eastern Pacific. This is a high chance of development in the next 7 days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 113828-1791221913455.png"><h1>El Nino Fueling Pacific Activity</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-04 082933-1791124216732.png">The surge in tropical activity comes as El Nino continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific. El Nino 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 2026-09-28 194202-1790646127358.png">This year’s El Nino has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 063433-1789216512410.png">

Tropical Update: EPAC Remains Active

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Adrian Hernandez

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For the first time in a long time, we've got an area of tropical development to watch in the Atlantic basin. Specifically, in the Gulf. These always catch our eye, as any system that forms in the Gulf has a high chance of making impact to land.With regards to timing, the National Hurricane Center forecasts this tropical system forming later this workweek. Chances for development into the next few days are low. This system will also have to fight through a TON of shear in the Gulf, limiting it's development.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 065859-1791205213571.png">The GFS American model, has this system forming around Thursday. You can tell by the tightening of the isobars closer to the Yucatan Peninsula. The EURO European model also shows some formation. However, the GFS is a little more generous on intensity at this point in time.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/1005-1791221466319.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With regards to land impacts, the exact track of this potential system and it's intensity, it's far to early to tell. However, regardless of these details, we can expect heavy rain along some of these Gulf Coast states headed into the weekend!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 070619-1791205656134.png">Stay tuned to the forecast here on WeatherNation. We'll bring you the details you need, and cut out all the hype.

Eyes on the Gulf for Potential Tropical Development

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Kevin Schneider

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Deep tropical moisture streaming north from the Gulf is combining with an approaching front, setting the stage for widespread showers and thunderstorms from the Gulf Coast into the Southeast. Heavy rainfall that leads to flash flooding will be possible over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 063233-1791203605311.jpg">Sunday’s greatest flooding concern will focus along portions of the central Gulf Coast, including areas from Alabama east toward the Florida Panhandle.&nbsp;A tropical wave moving through the Gulf is transporting an unusually moisture-rich air mass toward the coast. Atmospheric moisture levels are expected to reach near-record or record territory for early October in some locations.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 5-1791058490540.png"><h1>Timing</h1>After all the heavy rain throughout the Southeast on Saturday and more heavy rain will continue as a frontal boundary lingers. As this front meets moisture expect rain to follow along the front. As this front moves south, heavy rain will be in MS, AL and GA. through tonight and on Monday. By Tuesday the heaviest rainfall will be in Florida.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/2026-10-05 06-35-12-1791203747584.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Some localized totals of 5-6 inches of rain will be possible (above). The long-term forecast keeps the Gulf Coast very soggy into the middle of October. At least the temperatures are cooling off behind these fronts heading into the month of October.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-03 070128-1791032535237.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation TV for additional details.

Heavy Rain and Flood Threat Along For The Gulf Coast

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A noticeable change in the weather is on the way for millions across the Great Lakes and Northeast as some of the coldest air since spring moves into the region.&nbsp;After an unusually warm start to October, a push of Canadian air will send temperatures tumbling over the next several days. The transition could eventually bring the season’s first widespread frost and freeze to portions of the northern United States.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-03 073235-1791034366761.png">Check out how cold the temperatures will be for the Northeast early next week. This cold air could kill temperature sensitive vegetation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-05 063050-1791203461967.jpg">The cooldown marks a dramatic change following the recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather across the eastern United States.&nbsp;October is typically when the first freeze becomes increasingly common across the Midwest and Northeast, although the exact timing varies considerably depending on elevation and location.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-03 073713-1791034643040.png">For many across the Great Lakes and Northeast, the upcoming cold snap could provide the clearest sign yet that the warm days of early fall are beginning to fade.&nbsp;Stay Tuned for more details in the Eastern Regional forecast on WeatherNation TV :10 past the hour.

Fall Temperatures for the Northeast

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Tracey Anthony

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<h2></h2><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2105658995948281901" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2105658995948281901"></div><h2>WHAT TO EXPECT</h2>Tropical moisture from the remnants of Polo and the Gulf have surged north and met a frontal boundary. This has equaled a formula of very heavy rainfall. Flood alerts are in place through Thursday across portions of the plains and Midwest. The soils for this part of the country are already very saturated for many. This means adding more rainfall can lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, and streams, and flash flooding is not out of the question.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 4-1790897782083.png"><h2>TIMING</h2>Rounds of heavy rain will continue on and off. Isolated areas of flooding will be possible. Friday, this low will move east, and we will see drier conditions by the end of the week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/FORECAST-1790897919777.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>TOTALS</h2>Folks can expect very heavy rainfall, with most seeing around 2"- 4". Some localized areas of a half foot will be possible! Never try to drive through floodwaters, and make sure to take any flood alerts and warnings seriously. If you live in an area prone to flooding, make sure to have an action plan in place if flooding develops! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/PIC 5-1790897796211.png"> Make sure to tune into WeatherNation for the latest forecast!

Patrick Crawford

Plains & Midwest: Slow Moving Storms Increase Flood Threat

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In the last month, the southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona have seen their fair share of monsoon showers and storms.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2103622200872079365" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2103622200872079365"></div>This week, tropical moisture is pushing across the Southwest and plains. This tropical moisture, from Hurricane Polo, will bring the potential for significant flooding across the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/poloooo-1790728785495.png">The flooding has already been seen across the Southwest, including Nevada.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2104753032432910655" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2104753032432910655"></div>A major push of this moisture will continue to move through.. Several more inches on top of what has already come down are expected. This can quickly lead to flash flooding and debris flows, especially over burn scars. The heaviest of the activity, now expected in Colorado and the Central Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-30 054240-1790768613194.png">The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has a moderate (level 3 out of 4) flooding threat in place for portions of Colorado and New Mexico. The flooding threat will taper off by late-week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/overnighssss-1790820790763.png">Make sure to tune into Weathernation for the latest updates on the forecast.

Jackie Brown

Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

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It's that time of year again! Monsoons are upon us in the southwestern U.S. and are accompanied by above-average heat. Monsoon Season officially started back up on June 15th. Above is a clip of flash flooding from Tucson, AZ from this past weekend. As a reminder, never drive through flooded roadways! With how notoriously dry the desert is, there's an ongoing threat of flash flooding with monsoons and desert storms that pop up towards the afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/06/Baron 2-1719457806635.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Much of the Southwest is warm, about 5-10°F above average, putting places like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Yuma near 110°F over the next 3 days. Stay hydrated and try to limit time outside in the hottest part of the day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/06/1-1719458050763.png">Taking a look at the broader southwest, temperatures in the Four Corners States remain above average and in the 90s and triple digits this week for many of us. Salt Lake City may reach 100° on Tuesday, that's 13 degrees above average for late June.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/06/1-1719457996065.png">

Jesse Kelley