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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The Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colorado, near Pueblo, is over 28,000 acres with no containment. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2071956924137136402" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2071956924137136402?s=20"></div>Numerous wildfires continue to burn across Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, scorching tens of thousands of acres.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 155133-1782856300501.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2071685133040816622" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2071685133040816622"></div>These fires are also sending smoke and hazardous air quality through the four corners. Air quality alerts are in effect across a large portion of Colorado, including Denver.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/through wed am-1782870474148.png"><h1>Fire Outlooks</h1>A critical fire risk will continue through Tuesday. Portions of Colorado and New Mexico also have isolated dry thunderstorm threats, meaning new fires can spark as storms form with a lack of moisture reaching the ground.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/ovvvsss-1782870486242.png">The fire outlook for Wednesday poses a critical threat of fire danger.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 155320-1782856405563.png">As we move towards the 4th of July holiday, make sure you are doing everything in your power to avoid sparking any new fires.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043144-1782556311355.png">Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow local evacuation orders, and do their part to help prevent the start and spread of wildfires this summer.

Jackie Brown

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

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The hottest temperatures of the year are looming mid to late this week. An area of high pressure will cause the temperatures to rise underneath. Intense heat will build across the Midwest and Northeast this week as the ridge moves east. There is an Extreme Heat Risk labeled for many on Thursday as the heat intensifies (above).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 153240-1782855167339.png">Over 200 million people are under heat alerts this week. Not only will the air temperatures be scorching hot, breaking records, but the humidity will add to the dangers of heat illness. Dew points are expected to be in the 70s, meaning your body will have more difficulty cooling off.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 153351-1782855242360.png">We spoke with the National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mt. Holly to get some perspective on just how unusual this heat is for the northeast.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlvJoWIawEw" start="0"></iframe></div>There are 60 possible records on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 153539-1782855349863.png">Heat indices will hit the triple digits for a majority of the Midwest and Northeast beginning Wednesday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 120131-1782842498386.png">The heat builds more out east by Thursday. This will be where the majority of our records will fall across the Northeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 120257-1782842602115.png">Heat waves become deadly when they are extended in duration, and complicated by overnight lows struggling to cool off enough. Be sure to mix in plenty of water, even with a holiday weekend coming up. Know the signs to look out for in friends and family.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043943-1782556806519.png">

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Leads Us to the 4th

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Severe storms will be possible Tuesday overnight and Wednesday across the Northeast ahead of an incoming heatwave that will send heat index values into the triple digits.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/dangerous-stretch-of-heat-shaping-up-this-week">Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week</a>There is a slight risk of severe storms overnight. All threats look possible, including tornadoes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/overssss-1782870864058.png">A Slight threat of severe weather sticks around through Wednesday across portions of New York and New England. New York City is under a Marginal risk, with the main threat being strong, damaging winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 152608-1782854773578.png">The warm front will help to spark these storms through the overnight hours. Storms do not last all day, but they can be strong as they form.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/northeasttt-1782871060825.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A Marginal risk for severe weather sticks around the Great Lakes through New England. This includes Buffalo, NY, through Millinocket, ME.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 152732-1782854892153.png">For more details on the threats and timing of these storms, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your Eastern Regional Forecast.

Storms Spark up in the Northeast Ahead of Heatwave

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Monday morning, a storm brought significant winds across a few cities in South Dakota. Some winds clocked in at over 130 mph. Keep in mind an EF-3 tornado begins with winds at 136 mph. These wind gusts were the strongest recorded in South Dakota state history.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 055833-1782820730289.png">OVERNIGHT </h1>The threat of severe weather continues along this frontal boundary through overnight hours with a Slight to Enhanced risk for severe storms from Colorado through Michigan. Large hailstones will be possible, with the threat of significant hail across Eastern Colorado through Western Kansas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/all ddd-1782870598581.png">Strong winds will be the main concern across the Front Range of the Rockies. Significant winds and hailstones will also be possible in these areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/fkfkfk-1782870619740.png">On Wednesday, the Storm Prediction Center keeps an enhanced risk of severe storms around for the Plains through Wisconsin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 115552-1782842160212.png">Tornadoes, significant winds, and significant hailstones remain possible through Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 152052-1782854472758.png">The threat for severe weather carries on through Thursday. A Marginal to Slight risk is in effect from the Dakotas through Michigan. Significant storms will also be likely. Watch for updates in the forecast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 152119-1782854530311.png">For more on the forecast and timing, tune in to WeatherNation!

Severe Storms Keep Northern U.S. Active

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Kevin Schneider

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Early in the season, we watch closer to the coasts here at home for development in the Hurricane Season. Until the waves coming off the coast of Africa start to fly and quit losing the battle to Saharan Dust, old fronts are the leading source of development.Currently, a frontal boundary moving through the southeastern U.S. has prompted a marginal risk for severe weather across portions of the Southeast. Main threat will be damaging winds. Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center was monitoring an area of potential tropical interest. That area is no longer expected to form into a tropical system. For now, the only name we have crossed off for the Atlantic season is Arthur.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063531-1782563982336.jpg">The Eastern Pacific, on the other hand, does have a high chance of potential tropical development by Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-30 154035-1782855661730.png">

Slow-Moving Front No Longer Expected to Develop Tropically, Monitoring Eastern Pacific

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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As Summer settles in across the Central U.S., MCSs, also known as Mesoscale Convective Systems, become more prevalent. These large clusters of thunderstorms can organize and persist for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and produce all modes of severe weather. The weather pattern over the next few days will favor repeated rounds of these storm complexes across the Plains &amp; Midwest.Strong and severe thunderstorms remain possible in the Mid South over the next few days as storms ride a ridge of high pressure. This will target the same areas through the end of the week to see severe weather. <h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/what-is-an-mcs">WHAT IS AN MCS: READ MORE HERE</a></h4><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782612588554.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the overnight, a few storms could still be severe across parts of the Ohio Valley before being steering into the Carolinas for Sunday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 133648-1782589019330.png">These storms will dump rain on the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding in some of the same spots that already flooded earlier this week. For more on the flooding risk, read this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-this-weekend">related article</a> on the flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782612765591.png">

Jesse Kelley

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

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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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Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's just how this spring has gone in the Midwest. A low pressure system brought numerous severe storms to the Midwest on Wednesday, including large hail and flooding in Wisconsin, with strong winds, a tornado, and flooding in Illinois.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2070122338226749842" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2070122338226749842"></div><h1>Forecast</h1>The low pressure system that spawned Wednesday's storms is now moving east into New England bringing severe weather chances for Friday. A new low forms along the same front to also produce a severe risk across the Ohio River Friday. This is primarily for the threat of damaging winds but an isolated tornado or two will be possible (top of page).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440323140.png">The stalled boundary will the focal point for storms on Friday. The first low moving across the Northeast will produce severe storms across parts of New England. Secondly, as the new coming out of Missouri will produce severe weather for Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours. All modes will be possible. The front slides into the Carolinas bringing the Carolinas at play for severe weather on Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782440710501.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As a trailing low moves in on Saturday, a few more severe storms will be possible as the low tracks into the Southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/pic5-1782421830617.png">Heavy rainfall will accompany strong storms, leading to isolated flood potential. The higher chance for flooding will stick to areas along and west of the Appalachians, through the Ohio River, and up to I-70.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440751771.png">You Eastern Regional Forecast can be viewed on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

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Yet another wildfire flared up midday Wednesday, July 25 and at least one arrest has already been made in connection with it.

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The Cranston Fire began around noon local time Wednesday, July 25 near the San Jacinto Mountains east of Hemet, California. It is currently located in Riverside County, California. The fire quickly spread due to hot, dry and breezy weather conditions.

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At least five residential structures have been destroyed as of late Wednesday evening. The fire closed two major highways, routes 74 and 243 as it moved east.

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The Cranston Fire quickly grew to 4,700 acres late Wednesday with 0 % containment. It is expected to continue to grow within hot, dry weather conditions.

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Several communities had to be evacuated due to the rapid growth of the Cranston Fire. Late Wednesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced it had made an arrest in connection to the fire and charged a man with arson.

https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE/status/1022335277828780032

We will continue to gather information on this story, but for more real-time updates we encourage you to visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier

New CA Fire Erupts Wednesday, Arson Arrest Made

Massive Fires Burn in the Four Corners

The Aspen Acres fire burning in Southern Colo

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Leads Us to the 4th

The hottest temperatures of the year are loom

Storms Spark up in the Northeast Ahead of Heatwave

Severe storms will be possible Tuesday overni

Severe Storms Keep Northern U.S. Active

Monday morning, a storm brought significant w

Slow-Moving Front No Longer Expected to Develop Tropically, Monitoring Eastern Pacific

Early in the season, we watch closer to the c

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

As Summer settles in across the Central U.S.,

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's