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

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El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in the Atlantic this summer, with three named storms to date but only 16% of average cyclone energy! This doesn't mean the rest of the season will be just as quiet, however, as 66% of all hurricane activity in the Atlantic occurs between August 20th and October 10th. Right on cue, we are seeing 3 areas of potential development in the Atlantic Basin.The two waves in the Central and North Atlantic have low chances to develop and a short time to gain tropical status. Neither wave is expected to impact the U.S. However, a tropical wave moving off Africa in the days ahead may have a better chance to get its act together this week as it moves across the MDR (main development region) in the Atlantic, between Africa and the Caribbean.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/pic4-1787420901285.png">Here is a look at what the two primary global forecast models are showing for that potential development next week. Both develop the system into a low, but the strength of the system varies quite a bit as the GFS deepens the low more quickly. The system is still only about halfway through the tropical Atlantic by Thursday afternoon, which means any impacts to the U.S. would be another 6-10 days out, at least.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 080524-1787407537638.png">Stay tuned...this is the time of the year when the Atlantic Waters can get a little rowdy. The next system to gain tropical storm status in the Atlantic will be named Dolly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 081921-1787408368849.png">Stayed tuned to WeatherNation for the latest in the tropics!

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Next Week

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Several frontal systems will cross the country over the next few days moving around a big ridge in the South/Southwest, leading to severe weather risks in their associated regions along with flood potential.<h1>Severe Weather Outlooks</h1>Severe weather chances follow a trough on Saturday with a front draped from the Great Lakes to the Southern Plains, this front will bring a severe weather threat to parts of New England on Sunday. Fronts across the Rockies will create severe weather threats on Saturday that persist into Sunday and Monday, moving into the Great Plains/Midwest.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22 05-50-02-1787399519307.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Saturday's Focus</h1>An isolated tornado threat persists across parts of the Upper Midwest in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Have a few ways to receive weather alerts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 061736-1787401065340.png">A significant wind threat hase been outlined on Saturday across Texas and SW Oklahoma. Gusts could top 75 mph for areas in blue! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 061807-1787401096754.png"><h1>Storm Timing</h1><h2>Southern Plains / Mid-South</h2>As the cold front slides southward into Kansas and Oklahoma, it will produce severe storms capable of the large hail and gusty winds, with some gusts over hurricane strength (74+ mph) possible.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22 06-20-35-1787401461218.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Northeast</h2>Severe storms are expected along the cold front going through the lower Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley, while heavy rain will impacts areas along the Atlantic Coast, near the other low pressure system. Storms track north into Sunday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22 06-19-56-1787402570592.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Rockies/High Plains</h2>Frontal boundaries moving over the Rockies will help spur afternoon storms in the high terrain, before storms descend in the afternoon while pushing east. These threats will shift slightly through Monday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22 06-52-34-1787403269497.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flooding</h1>Watch for areas of isolated to scattered flooding over the next few days in many of the same areas severe storms are expected. Monsoon storms in the Southwest will still present a daily threat for isolated/scattered flash flooding.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22 06-55-35-1787403368378.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on your top weather headlines, watch WeatherNation live on-air or online!

Severe Storms Continue to Ride Around Heat Dome

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Brittany Lockley

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<h1>TROPICAL STORM MOKE</h1>Just days after Hurricane Lala impacted Hawaii, another system has formed in the Central Pacific. According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Moke formed Friday with max sustained winds of 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1002 millibars. As of Saturday morning, TS Moke is moving at a steady pace and is located 545 mi southeast of Hilo, HI. TS Moke is getting better organized as it heads west-northwest. Moke is expected to bring gusty wind and heavy rainfall to Hawaii. A ridge of high pressure will continue to steer it west. It will gradually strengthen through the weekend, impacting the Hawaiian Islands into next week. Interests in Hawaii should watch model track trends in the coming days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 044053-1787395266821.png">Early forecasts expect the earliest arrival of tropical storm-force winds Saturday afternoon into Sunday. The probabilities remain low, with the track likely staying south. Heavy rainfall is the greater threat. Moke is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, and the Big Island can see isolated totals of 15"+ of rainfall. These are early forecasts, so please keep checking in for more details.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061654-1787318546877.png"><h1>HURRICANE LALA</h1>Lala did not make a direct landfall on the Hawaiian Islands, but it still brought significant impacts. Rainbow Falls in Hawaii saw a large surge of water compared to what it typically looks like (above).The Hawaii Department of Transportation reported that parts of Highway 11 on the Big Island were shut down due to flooding. More than 130,000 customers lost power Saturday at the height of the storm. As the storm moves west-northwest, expect conditions to slowly improve as the blustery showers back off. WeatherNation's field correspondent, Jonathan Petramala, was there bringing the views on the ground.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088807962383143316" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088807962383143316"></div>Totals for rainfall exceeded 30+ for many locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 101407-1786983268612.jpg"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2089171101914223009" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2089171101914223009"></div>Lala briefly strengthened to a category 4 hurricane. It is not expected to bring any additional impacts to land as it continues to move over open Pacific waters. It will steadily weaken in the coming days.Stay with WeatherNation for the latest.

Tropical Storm Moke Has Formed in the Pacific; Impacts to Hawaii Start Sunday

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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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As we get through the work week, high pressure returns westward to the Desert Southwest. Extreme Heat Warnings (in pink) have been issued for cities including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Yuma. Heat Advisories (in orange) have been issued across the Inland Empire of California and around Salt Lake City.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 4-1787355127895.png">We started the week with plenty of triple digits across the Southwest, and the heat will continue through the weekend. Temperatures will run above average for folks across an already hot Southwest into next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 085114-1787410283035.png"><h2>Storm Threat</h2>Isolated flash flooding will be possible each afternoon for areas that can see storms develop, which will be most of the Four Corners region. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 085155-1787410350078.png">With a high-pressure system sliding in, we'll manage to pick up some moisture, increasing the heat index and the chance for some storms for the Four Corners throughout the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-22 08-52-01-1787410361129.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on this, be sure to join us:50 past the hour for your west regional forecast.

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest

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Tracey Anthony

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A ridge of high pressure has dominated the southern U.S., with multiple records being broken daily. Miami, Florida, saw a record high of 100° on Tuesday, tying the previous record of 100° set in 1942. This is only the second time Miami has reached this temperature since records began in 1895! More records were broken on Wednesday. The heat alerts will remain in place across the south through Friday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061724-1787319111166.png">Feels-like temperatures remain dangerously hot across the central and southern United States. Many areas will feel like 110-115 in the afternoon. Charleston will have a high of 94 on Thursday, but a feels-like temperature of 112°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787277519466.png">But into the weekend, relief is on the way for some across the Southeast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062145-1787319192505.png">Many cities across the South will be challenged in their attempts to break records, as this high-pressure system dominates. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062205-1787319147507.png">Heat alerts are in place across the Southwest too. This includes Las Vegas, Phoenix, and parts of California.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-20 071601-1787231776550.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787277566043.png">

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

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A stormy end to the week is taking shape for parts of the eastern U.S., where rounds of thunderstorms will bring torrential rain, localized flash flooding, damaging winds, and tornadoes.&nbsp;Thursday, storms produced significant damage across parts of Delaware and Pennsylvania. In Dover, a tornado hit, causing damage throughout the city. A high school near Lancaster, PA had its roof ripped off. Friday, storm surveys will be performed to assess some of the damage.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VON_082026_RNE_DOVER, DE_DRIVING THROUGH THE DAMAGE IN DOVER_FB_CAITLIN HARVEY_BH_082016-1787279216568.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VO_082026_RNE_YORK, PA_DAMAGE TO EASTERN YORK HIGH SCHOOL_YORK EMS_BH_082026-1787279282869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Showers and storms will linger into early Friday morning over areas of the Mid-Atlantic. The severe risk will diminish for the morning, and then the risk picks up during the afternoon and evening.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/FORECAST-1787270277549.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Urban communities will be particularly vulnerable. Heavy downpours can quickly overwhelm storm drains, leaving streets, underpasses, and other low-lying areas flooded. Areas that experience multiple storms could see the flooding risk increase as the ground becomes increasingly saturated.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 2-1787274133924.jpg">A cold front moving east will provide the trigger for showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. With plenty of moisture available, some storms will be capable of producing a large amount of rain in a short period of time.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-20 080419-1787234676441.png">Friday, the focus for heavier rainfall and thunderstorms is expected to extend from parts of Virginia and North Carolina toward the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of South Carolina.&nbsp;Severe storms could extend all the way down to the Gulf Coast for Friday afternoon and evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-21 040323-1787306617672.png">The front could linger near the East Coast rather than quickly clearing the region, allowing additional showers and storms to develop into the start of the weekend. Several inches of rain could accumulate in some locations, especially where thunderstorms repeatedly track over the same areas.&nbsp;If a roadway is covered by water, drivers should turn around and find another route. The depth of floodwater can be difficult to determine, and even relatively shallow moving water can create hazardous conditions for vehicles.&nbsp;Tune into WeatherNation TV for more details.

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

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Kevin Schneider

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MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in the Midwest, today we enjoy a break from the relentless rainfall. However, many remain under flood watches and warnings as rivers remain swollen.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088604118151479464" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088604118151479464"></div>FLOOD THREATAdditional rainfall could increase the risk of flash flooding across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Appalachian region. As the front works through, some localized flooding will be possible overnight. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/OVERNSSSS-1787016460932.png"><h2>Overnight Severe Threat</h2>The Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service have issued a severe thunderstorm watch through tonight across the Southern Appalachians. The SPC has us under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms through the overnight hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 193201-1787016747073.png">

Alana Cameron

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has released their summary report on Hurricane Laura, the Category 4 Storm that made landfall near Cameron, LA on August 27, 2020. Major Hurricane Laura was the cause of 47 direct deaths and approximately $19 billion dollars in damage.

https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1298864149804363776

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-144794" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/05/nhc-track.jpg" alt="" width="1940" height="1417" />

Hurricane Laura was the strongest hurricane to hit the state of Louisiana in over 50 years, since Hurricane Camille of 1969. We saw wind gusts over 100 mph in parts of LA. Winds were so strong, the National Weather Service Lake Charles' <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/news/lake-charles-radar-back-online-after-hurricane-laura-damage/">radar was destroyed</a>.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-144793" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/05/laura-wind-gusts.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Hurricane Laura also spawned 16 tornadoes in the United States, including an EF-2 tornado in Randolph, County AR. None of the deaths resulting from Laura were a result of tornadoes. Heavy rain also fell within Hurricane Laura, with some locations along the gulf seeing over 9" of rainfall.

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In the forecast discussions during the height of Hurricane Laura, the NHC described the storm surge as “unsurvivable” and “catastrophic" and urged everyone to evacuate the Lake Charles area south to the Louisiana Coastline. When Laura did come onshore, she produced "catastrophic storm surge inundation levels of 12 to 18 ft above ground level (AGL) to the east of its landfall location in and around Creole and Grand Chenier, Louisiana."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FglTJpTvnE&amp;ab_channel=WeatherNation

&nbsp;

Sadly, There were 47 "direct deaths" associated with Hurricane Laura, 7 of them in the United States. According to the National Hurricane Center, "Laura also caused 34 indirect deaths in the United States, 26 in Louisiana and 8 in Texas, from carbon monoxide poisoning, storm cleanup-related activities, electrocutions, and heat stress, among other indirect causes." Due to Hurricane Laura's devastating impacts, the name "Laura" has been retired from use for future storms. For more on the changes for the 2021 Hurricane Season, <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/news/hurricane-names-retired-greek-alphabet-gone/">click here</a>.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cne08mKuwec&amp;t=10s&amp;ab_channel=WeatherNation

Here at WeatherNation we are ready for Hurricane Season 2021. Stay with us as we track the potential and development for storms throughout the season!

NHC Releases Hurricane Laura Report

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Next Week

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

Severe Storms Continue to Ride Around Heat Dome

Several frontal systems will cross the countr

Tropical Storm Moke Has Formed in the Pacific; Impacts to Hawaii Start Sunday

TROPICAL STORM MOKEJust days after Hurricane

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest

As we get through the work week, high pressur

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

A ridge of high pressure has dominated the so

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

A stormy end to the week is taking shape for

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in t