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

After severe storms slammed the Midwest earlier this week, another set of storm systems is trekking through the region with colder temperatures. Friday's system brought intense winds to the entire region, fanning big wildfires in Nebraska. The following weekend system will bring light snow across the Plains and Midwest through today, but intensifies tonight and quickly into Sunday with very heavy snow and gusty winds that linger through Monday.<h1>Blizzard Warnings</h1>Winter alerts are in effect for much of the Upper-Midwest (top of page), but Blizzard Warnings have also been issued across a large area, from central South Dakota to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As a reminder, a blizzard is primarily about wind! Strong winds will create low visibility as snow blows around. Very difficult travel, if not impossible travel, can be expected in these areas over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web1-1773571090837.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>Light snow has been falling across portions of the Midwest along the warm front this afternoon, with snowfall coverage and intensity expected to gradually increase by the evening hours. As the low quickly intensifies tonight, gusty winds will begin to rapidly increase, leading to blowing snow and the development of blizzard conditions. The blizzard conditions will persist for much of Sunday, as heavy snow falls across much of the Midwest. Snow wraps around the low Sunday evening into Monday, bringing lighter snowfall farther south and east. As arctic air filters in behind the low, lake effect snow will begin over the Great Lakes into Monday and Tuesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-15 06-38-32-1773571140087.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Impacts are expected to gradually ramp up into Sunday, with intense snowfall rates combining with gusty winds across the Upper-Midwest. The heaviest snow is currently expected from central Minnesota east into northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Snow totals could surpass 1-3 feet in these locations!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web2-1773571174313.png"><h1>Cold Plunge</h1>Arctic air will be dragged south behind this storm system with wind chills well below zero for many areas by Monday into Tuesday! Bundle up and make sure your skin is covered to prevent frostbite.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-15 06-39-47-1773571210378.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Be sure to check back for updates as we fine-tune this forecast!

Adrian Hernandez

Blizzard Warnings Issued, Heavy Snow Targets the Midwest

web3png-1773571238090.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.

Patrick Crawford

PatrickCrawfordjpeg-1679518802702.jpeg

A strong ridge of high pressure building over the Western U.S. will bring warm, dry, and windy weather conditions. This continues to set up a strong fire weather risk, and outdoor activities that could spark or ignite should be avoided over the next few days. Check out the strong wind gusts below, as Friday brought intense winds back to Wyoming!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-14 114657-1773510424840.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773540916491.png">The Morrill Fire has now burned over 548k acres, making it the largest wildfire in Nebraska history. It began on Thursday afternoon due to an electrical fire caused by high winds. Unfortunately, 1 person lost their life trying to flee.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-14 120039-1773511249576.png"><h1>Fire Weather Alerts</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web4-1773571428151.png"><h1>Fire Outlook</h1><h2>SUNDAY</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web5-1773571462974.png">It is always important to know how to prevent fires, so here are some tips.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/pic4-1773244322444.png">

Nebraska Records Biggest Fire Ever as Red Flag Warnings Persist

web4png-1773571466757.png

Kevin Schneider

A021DDE71AA34C50BB5468289EA6B1D7jpeg-1699372868991.jpeg

Another intense storm system is developing as we end the weekend with severe weather in the warm sector and blizzard conditions in the cold sector, which you can read more about here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/old-man-winter-roars-in-this-week">MIDWEST SNOW STORM.</a> On the warmer side of this system, jet stream energy will greatly increase as the trough swings across the Mississippi River, bringing severe storm potential to areas on the eastern side of the trough from the Midwest and parts of Texas out to the Atlantic.<h2>MIDWEST TARGETED AGAIN</h2><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2032281819236999489" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2032281819236999489"></div> Some of these areas are still picking up the pieces from the last storm system that brought severe weather to Illinois and Indiana on Tuesday. Read more about those storms by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/destructive-tornadoes-hail-rip-through-central-us">clicking here</a>.<h1>Sunday - Monday Storms</h1>An enhanced risk has been issued for severe storms on Sunday and Monday, primarily based on the potential for widespread damaging winds. Multiple squall lines are expected to develop, bringing strong thunderstorm winds to the surface, potentially downing trees and power lines, though a few strong tornadoes are expected as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-15 043445-1773570903372.png">Significant wind gusts over hurricane strength (74+ mph) are possible with the threat of a strong tornado as well. By Monday, the risk for intense severe weather shifts to the East Coast and increases with an MODERATE risk for severe storms. Once again, multiple squall lines packing intense winds and a few intense tornadoes will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-15 043703-1773571030939.png"><h1>Timing</h1>Storms look to intensify as they approach the Mid-Mississippi region Sunday afternoon and evening, with a squall line developing and pushing east into the evening hours. The severe threat will continue overnight, but should be a bit less intense. As the system moves east of the Appalachians on Monday, additional squall lines form and push across the I-95 corridor in the afternoon. The growing concern on Monday is that anything discrete ahead of the main line will pose all modes of severe, and could beging to rotate quickly. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-14 11-20-39-1773508884980.mkv" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This forecast and the outlooks will be updated as warranted, so be sure to check back in!

Severe Storms Return, Damaging Winds & Tornadoes Expected

Screenshot20260315043927png-1773571171209.png

Top Image Credit: National Parks Service<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div>Spring is fast approaching, and so are the blooms of flowers all across North America. This includes the famous cherry tree bloom around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png">On Thursday, March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026. The peak is expected around late March into early April (between the 31st and 2nd). Still, the forecast for the peak is generally difficult to make beyond ten days, as blossoms will be impacted by weather conditions. Check back in for updates!<h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2>The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm">many types of cherry trees</a> in the area. Peak bloom usually lasts for several days, with the blooms taking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm">about two to three weeks to reach peak</a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.<h2>Past Blooms</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"> Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).Visiting the blossoming cherry trees has become a favorite springtime tradition for Americans and tourists alike, dating back to 1912 when Japan gifted the U.S. about 3,000 cherry trees. The cherry trees in Japan have been putting on a show for thousands of years, with the dates of blooms being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/date-of-the-peak-cherry-tree-blossom-in-kyoto">recorded all the way back to the 9th century</a>. The dates for this year's peak blooms in Japan are expected from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/">late March through late April</a> from north to south across the nation.

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

CherryBlossomNPSjpg-1772809509902.jpeg

WeatherNation Meteorologists

headshotspng-1676305264677.png

Severe storms have finally moves offshore after multiple days of severe weather that lasted from Tuesday into Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 174429-1773359087251.png">Things are finally quieting down from this multi-day severe weather outbreak, but not before 200+ severe wind reports, 150+ hail reports, and 30+ tornado <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/260310_rpts.html">reports to the Storm Prediction Center</a>.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 174440-1773359116917.png">Tuesday, March 10, will go down as record-breaking for at least one state in the Midwest. After the Storm Prediction Center upgraded parts of Illinois and Indiana to a Moderate (Level 4/5) Risk, destructive severe storms ripped through the heart of the country. A large supercell on the ground for up to 45 minutes produced a large and dangerous tornado in the town of Kankakee, IL. The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued preliminary damage assessments rating this tornado as an EF-3 with max winds of 150mph. Our field crews were on the ground to capture it as it happened and to speak with the families impacted.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031867768505598421" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031867768505598421"></div>First responders worked tirelessly, picking up debris and searching for survivors in the aftermath. Loads of footage came out of this tornado, much of which was heartbreaking to see.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031730530631434633" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031730530631434633?s=20"></div><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 073153-1773322362766.png">A highly unstable atmosphere led to strong updrafts, resulting in large hail during severe storms. Hailstones the size of softballs and larger were reported in Texas and Illinois.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 082436-1773239081623.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/AAA_WEB5-1773228556681.png">A hailstone from the Kankakee, IL supercell looks likely to be a state record, and could challenge national records for biggest hail. The photo posted by a Kankakee resident looks to be upwards of 7-8 inches in diameter! The stone will have to be examined to determine if it breaks the record set by hail from Vivian, South Dakota, in 2010 that measured 8 inches.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 115507-1773251922303.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031525994843214069" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031525994843214069"></div>

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

campwoodhail3jpg-1773190670775.jpeg

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

On the heels of an active opening week to Meteorological Spring, another threat of severe weather will be in the cards yet again for Wednesday. With plenty of unstable air to tap into, as this system chugs East, the threat for severe weather persists. The Storm Prediction center has issued a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast.Hail is another big concern. More widespread, 1" in diameter hail is possible, but many locations could also encounter 2" in diameter hailstones Tuesday. Some portions of Texas and Illinois have already seen hailstones over 3.5", which is in between the size of a softball and teacup.RELATED ARTICLE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/destructive-tornadoes-hail-rip-through-central-us">Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.</a>A SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk remains in place following the cold front through tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282080141.png">During the overnight, a tornado risk remains in place especially across the Gulf Coast. Have a few ways to receive alerts to wake you up if warnings are issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282254705.png">The threat for severe weather continues Thursday morning as the squall line moves through the Carolinas and Georgia. The biggest threat will be damaging winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282360616.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/New Baron Video 3-1773282503903.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Tune in to WeatherNation live for the very latest.

Jesse Kelley

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

AAA_WEB3png-1773228180366.png

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

AlanaCameronjpeg-1679518648021.jpeg

NORTHWEST - Blizzard warnings have been issued for the mountains of the Pacific Northwest for today and tomorrow. The reason? A ridge of high pressure over the Pacific Ocean is funneling in an atmospheric river of moisture into the Pacific Northwest through tonight and tomorrow. High moisture content will lead to heavy rain and snow for these areas and winds will be very high too.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 05-42-53-1773229398869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Blizzard warnings are issued when winds are greater than 35 mph, visibility less than 1/4 of a mile, and lasting for 3 hours. Additional winter weather alerts have been added for the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web1'-1773229475628.png">In addition to these winter weather alerts, wind alerts have been issued for the northwest for gusts up to 50-60 mph with locally higher gusts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Web2-1773229526282.png">Let's time this out, as a warm front pushes through, moisture will pick up in the Pacific northwest saturating the soils and lashing with winds. The heaviest of the precipitation picks up on Wednesday before the frontal boundary continues to push inland into Thursday and Friday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 05-45-53-1773229585652.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Moisture content with this is extremely high, which will lead to very high snowfall totals.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-10 144721-1773175657342.png">Some of the heaviest rain is expected across portions of Oregon and southern Washington. Some totals through the end of the week will surpass 6-10 inches of rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-10 144725-1773175661483.png">For more information about this, be sure to join us at :50 past the hour during your west regional forecast.

Tracey Anthony

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

Web1png-1773229602263.png

UPDATE: The National Weather Service out of Norman, Oklahoma, has upgraded the rating of the Marietta tornado to EF-4 with estimated peak winds of 165-170 mph, a path length of 27 miles, and a path width of 900 yards. Unfortunately, this tornado brought at least one fatality to Love County. This tornado developed southwest of Marietta and moved north-northeast over I-25 before moving into Marietta towards Lake Murray and Dickson.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1785021848498876600" src="https://twitter.com/NWSNorman/status/1785021848498876600"></div>Here's a look at the destruction our field corresponded Brandon Clement observed upon daylight on Sunday.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784689042388668902" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784689042388668902"></div>The town of Sulphur, OK also took a direct hit from a destructive tornado on Saturday night, with a rating of at least EF3. According to the NWS, estimated peak winds were 160-165 mph, path length was 7.5 miles, and width was 440 yards. Our Field Correspondent, Brandon Clement, took this video earlier in the day:Related articles: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/tornadoes-touch-down-in-nebraska-and-iowa-on-friday">Destructive Tornadoes Tear Through Plains Friday</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Severe%20Weather%20Threat%20Monday%20From%20Texas%20to%20the%20Lower%20Mississippi%20Valley">Severe Weather Threat Makes it to the Gulf Coast</a><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1784590897423765833" src="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1784590897423765833"></div>According to the National Weather Service, at least 33 tornadoes have been confirmed from Saturday in Oklahoma alone.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/oklahoma tornadoes-1714504868827.png">The hail was large and damaging, along with the strong wind gusts and the confirmed tornadoes that touched down. About teacup-sized hail fell in Fox, OK on Saturday, and we're sure that hailstones that large will easily cause damage.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/Screenshot 2024-04-28 052810-1714303700198.png">This is a terrifying view of a tornado touching down in the rural area of Kendall, KS. You can easily see its wide base on the ground, along with much of the dust and debris that was picked up.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/04/VO_042724_RNC_NEAR KENDALL, KS_SHORTER VERSION OF TORNADO JOSH INTERCEPTED AND DEBRIS FLYING AT THE END_EMAIL_JOSH HEYNEN_DW_E042724-1714303991447.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

At Least 33 Tornadoes Reported in Oklahoma this Weekend

Blizzard Warnings Issued, Heavy Snow Targets the Midwest

After severe storms slammed the Midwest earli

Nebraska Records Biggest Fire Ever as Red Flag Warnings Persist

A strong ridge of high pressure building over

Severe Storms Return, Damaging Winds & Tornadoes Expected

Another intense storm system is developing as

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Severe storms have finally moves offshore aft

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

On the heels of an active opening week to Met

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

NORTHWEST - Blizzard warnings have been issue