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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Two sprawling storm systems are tracking from the Rockies to the Great Lakes, bringing prolonged periods of heavy rain, severe&nbsp;thunderstorms,&nbsp;and flooding concerns to much of the country. The multi-day weather pattern began in the Southwest and is gradually shifting east,&nbsp;impacting&nbsp;more than 30 states from the Plains to the East Coast.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 061355-1767964633704.png"><h1>Outlooks &amp; Timing</h1>The first storm system developed over the Four Corners region, spreading rain across parts of Arizona and New Mexico before intensifying as it moved into the Southern Plains. A few tornadoes did cause damage in Oklahoma early Thursday morning. We are awaiting more information on the strength of these tornadoes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 062121-1767965062250.png">Friday into Saturday, a second storm system is expected to reinforce the unsettled pattern. Friday's outlook covers areas from east Texas through Kentucky, with a level 2 (slight) risk from Baton Rouge to Nashville, which means storms are expected to be slightly more widespread, stronger, and could last longer. All modes of severe weather (wind, hail, and tornadoes) will be possible. The tornado potential is at a level 2 from Louisiana through central Alabama.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot20260109060639png-1767964003041.png">Warm and moist air is expected to remain in place as the next trough begins to mature, with storms targeting the Mississippi Valley. Isolated severe storms are possible early, but by the early afternoon, daytime heating will help increase instability enough to lead to scattered severe storms developing. Those storms are expected to intensify through the late afternoon hours, with some persisting into the evening and overnight. Be sure to review your tornado safety plan and have multiple ways to get severe weather alerts that can wake you up.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/FORECAST-1767979435437.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Severe storms will still be possible through Saturday afternoon, which includes the continued threat for tornadoes. The tornado threat for Saturday stretches from Birmingham through Atlanta to Asheville.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 063626-1767965796452.png"><h1>Rain &amp; Flooding</h1>Rainfall rates will increase significantly on Friday across the south, with 1-2" per hour possible, possibly more. This means some areas could receive 4-6 inches in a short period of time, which could lead to flash flooding. A Flood Watch has been issued for parts of the South into Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 064134-1767966305477.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1767900428811.png">The WPC has issued a level 3 outlook for excessive rainfall (flash flooding) for Friday, with areas from Louisiana through east Tennessee mostly likely to see flooding develop. If you live in a flood-prone location, review your flooding plan to seek higher ground if flood waters threaten. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 064527-1767966333985.png">Catch updates during our top weather headlines (:00, :20, :40 past the hour) or get the latest regional update for the East and Central U.S. at :10 and :30 past the hour.

Patrick Crawford

Tornado Threat Elevated Across the South Friday into Saturday

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Brittany Lockley

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It has been one year since the Palisades and Eaton fires burned through local communities in Los Angeles County on January 7, 2025. The lasting impacts are still being felt across the region, both on the ground and in the atmosphere. The fires took 31 lives and burned down 18,000 buildings and homes.&nbsp;The fires ignited during a period of extreme fire weather, fueled by prolonged drought, critically low humidity, and strong offshore winds. The Palisades&nbsp;fire initially started with an open flame in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. Firefighters were able to contain&nbsp;the flames above ground, but the fire continued to burn underground. At the time of ignition, relative humidity values dropped into the single digits, while wind gusts frequently exceeded 40 to 60 mph, creating ideal conditions for the rapid spread of the fire. The National Weather Service even issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation for these fires. These factors allowed flames to move miles in just hours, overwhelming containment efforts during the initial stages. The Palisades fire grew to 23,707 acres.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 041825-1767784832298.png">The Eaton Fire ignited in Altadena shortly after the Palisades Fire. In this fire, close to 10,000 homes were destroyed and 19 lives were lost, as the fire ravaged 14,021 acres by the time of its containment on January 31, 2024.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07 04-18-40-1767784809714.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall deficits leading up to the fires played a major role in their intensity. Many areas had received less than 50 percent of their average precipitation over the previous 6 to 12 months, resulting in exceptionally dry vegetation. Live fuel moisture levels were near record lows for late season, and energy release components, an index used to measure potential fire intensity, were well above climatological averages. &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 040748-1767784265056.png">Once the fires were established, towering smoke plumes injected particulates high into the atmosphere, degrading air quality across hundreds of miles and prompting repeated air quality alerts as fine particulate concentrations surged well above health-based thresholds.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2025-12_2025-01-09_g18_abi_meso_geocolor-fires-1767898580832.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>In the aftermath, the weather continued to complicate recovery. The first significant rain events following the fires produced short bursts of heavy rainfall, falling on soils unable to absorb water efficiently. Rainfall rates of just a half inch per hour were enough to trigger runoff, mudslides, and debris flows within burn scars. Damaging roads and infrastructure months after the flames were extinguished. Emergency managers were forced to pivot from wildfire response to managing the floods, highlighting the compound risks associated with extreme weather.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 091018-1767802242571.png">A year later, both fires are on California's most destructive fires list. Weather and climate data show early signs of ecological recovery, but also ongoing vulnerability. Native grasses and shrubs have begun to return, aided by winter&nbsp;rainfall.&nbsp;The Palisades and Eaton fires now serve as a stark example of how weather extremes, heat, wind, drought, and heavy rainfall are reshaping wildfire behavior. &nbsp;

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

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Tracey Anthony

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This first full week of January has brought many record highs across the country, with more expected through the end of the week. But... not so fast. There is a big cooldown in the forecast and it will hit fast over the weekend! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 4-1767968499810.png">Even widespread record warm lows! Warm overnights will impact areas, from the Plains to the Northeast, many spots could have their warmest overnight lows on record for early January.On Thursday, more records fell across the country, including cities like Hattiesburg, MS, reaching 81 degrees!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 1-1767968366540.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 2-1767968381527.png">As the ridge shifts east and the trough moves in, some will see temperature drops as we head into the second half of the week. Some of us will still be feeling the springtime warmth for the next day or so.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 5-1767968523859.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 6-1767968531755.png">Some cities are in for a little temperature whiplash this weekend. As daytime highs are expected to plunge 20-30 degrees. As a second system rolls across the east on Saturday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 7-1767968785017.png"> <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web 8-1767968795739.png">

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

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The Northeastern U.S. has been one of the more active regions of the country so far this winter in terms of ice and snow, with plenty piling up around the Great Lakes and into New England. A warmer system is expected to track through the Northeast as we end the week on Friday, followed by a colder weekend system that is expected to bring back ice and snow.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 073813-1767969556610.png">Saturday will see quickly changing temperatures, with sub-freezing air down to I-80 in the morning hours. With warmer air overhead, this could lead to freezing rain mixing with snow Saturday before colder air and more widespread snow return on Sunday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1767899641869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The first low-pressure system will be accompanied by near-record warmth, leading to mostly rain falling on Friday. By Saturday, colder air returns to the I-90 corridor, allowing higher elevations to see a mix of ice and sleet, with lower elevation rain. Heading into Sunday, much cooler air develops in northwesterly flow, allowing for light snow to fall, though it looks to mostly impact areas closer to the Great Lakes versus the I-95 corridor. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 074234-1767969761253.png">Freezing rain and sleet forecasts are potentially significant for some areas into Saturday, with northern New York and New England dealing with slick conditions and accretions of ice. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 073941-1767969773289.png">Snow will mostly be on the lighter side for most areas with pockets of moderate rainfall (1-2" on the high end). Flash flooding is not expected, but some nuisance flooding (ponding on roadways) is possible. The mountains in New York and New England will see potential for heavier snow, upwards of 6-10 inches. Flash flooding is not expected, but some nuisance flooding (ponding on roadways) is possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 133637-1767818283288.png">Temperatures will be quite warm with the first two waves of low pressure, before the cold front arrives Sunday into Monday. Get the latest in the Northeast in the East Regional Forecast anytime with the WeatherNation app - or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Another Round of Ice and Snow for the Northeast This Weekend

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Several rounds of winter weather are set to impact the Midwest from Friday into Saturday as a pair of storm systems move across the country, bringing periods of snow and potential travel disruptions. The first system is arrived from the Southwest, spreading snow across the central Plains before pushing into the Midwest on Friday. As colder air filters in behind it, snow chances will increase across parts of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and surrounding areas, with roads likely turning slick during the day and into the evening hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-09 07-37-40-1767969485868.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Temperature Drop</h1>After the first low moves through on Thursday, temperatures are going to drop dramatically. A second storm system following closely behind will reinforce the cold air and help generate additional snowfall into Saturday. While many Midwest locations are expected to see generally light accumulations, some areas could pick up a few inches by early Saturday, especially where snow bands linger longer. Farther east and north toward the Great Lakes, snowfall totals may be higher as lake-enhanced snow develops, boosting accumulations in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 073828-1767969529370.jpg">Wind chill values will also be impacted by these two waves, dropping some of these temperatures to well below zero.Strong winds accompanying the second system could worsen conditions, particularly near the Great Lakes, where blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility at times. Gusty winds may also lead to drifting snow and isolated whiteout conditions, especially in lake-effect prone areas. Travel impacts are likely to be greatest overnight Friday into Saturday morning, and drivers are urged to use caution as conditions change rapidly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web3-1767794539082.png"><h1>Forecast and Timing</h1>As that first low clears to the east, the next round of snow will begin to develop Friday afternoon in the Upper-Midwest along the base of a trough. As gulf moisture meets this trough, widespread snow is expected to develop around the Great Lakes and Upper-Midwest. Snow will wrap around the low as it gradually moves across the Great Lakes through Sunday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1767928994502.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heaviest snow is expected around the Great Lakes in northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin where there is a chance to get lake effect snow. There could be over 3-6 inches of snow in these areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 074506-1767969910106.jpg">Make sure stay alert to updated winter weather alerts and forecasts, as small shifts in storm tracks or temperatures could lead to changes in snowfall totals and timing across the Midwest through the weekend. For the latest in the Central Region, tune in live at :30 past the hour or get it on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app.

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

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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

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It's been a slow start to the ski season for a lot of our resorts out west, so any snow in the forecast should bring a little hope to the skiers and boarders out there. Winter weather alerts have been issued across the Four Corners through Friday. Totals will vary based on elevation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174402-1767833193610.png">Across Arizona and New Mexico, we've been getting rainfall, and that will continue overnight. In the meantime, snow will start to pile up in Colorado, Utah, and the higher elevations of the southern Four Corners.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/01-07 rsw rsc-1767833203813.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Through Friday, some of our ski resorts could max out around a foot. For the Colorado Rockies and resorts of Utah, we'll be fortunate enough if we see around 9" to one foot for resorts like Vail and Steamboat Springs.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174409-1767833222196.png"><h2>Denver Area</h2>Models are starting to get better correlated on what the outcome for Thursday's snowfall is. Temperatures look to be a bit cooler, cool enough to support upwards of 1-5" of snow in the Denver area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 154256-1767825841035.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174716-1767833250369.png"><h2>Salt Lake City</h2>SLC has seen barely any snow this season. So far, we've only had 0.1" of snow downtown. The forecast from the National Weather Service has a forecast of 1-2" in the city.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 154348-1767825872371.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174723-1767833255996.png">Whether you're hopeful or skeptical of this forecast, be sure to join us on WeatherNation live for the latest breakdown of these forecasts!

Snow Returns to Ski Country

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NORTHEAST - We've had a series of clipper systems move from the Northern Plains over the Great Lakes and past the Northeast over a lot of the Christmas holidays. Now that we're back for the first full week of work and school, we have more of the same. Through tonight, winter weather advisories have been issued for portions of northern New England for a bit of sleet, ice, and a couple of quick inches of snowfall. This will likely lead to slick spots on the road tonight and tomorrow morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web1-1767781875352.png">Here's a look at our forecast totals from now through Wednesday. Higher elevations may see more than a couple of inches, but otherwise, totals will be fairly minimal.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web2-1767781901208.png">Timing things out through Wednesday morning, we currently have a wintry mix pushing through the northeast along a frontal boundary and that will continue through Wednesday morning in these areas.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07 03-33-24-1767782032503.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Next System To Watch</h2>After we receive a little bit of snowfall, another warmer system is set to move into the northeast as we head into the latter half of the work week. With warmer temperatures in store, this will likely bring in more rain than snowfall. That could lead to some slushy conditions, especially if you have snowfall on the ground in your area. Rain starts to push in Thursday through Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07 03-32-08-1767782070128.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more of these details be sure to join us LIVE on WeatherNation!

Adrian Hernandez

Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northeast

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PH84aZY4bmc" start="0"></iframe></div>Every year, AEM (Advanced Environmental Monitoring) survey's millions of lightning strikes across the U.S. Meteorologist Taban Sharifi spoke with AEM lightning scientist Dr. Elizabeth DiGangi about the trends and facts in this year's annual report. <h2 style="text-align: start"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://aem.eco/aem-releases-2025-u-s-lightning-report-oklahoma-dethrones-florida-as-americas-lightning-concentration-capital/">Key Findings from AEM First Look</a></h2><h5>Courtesy: AEM</h5><ul><li>Top State &amp; County by Flash Density: Oklahoma claimed the top position with 73 flashes per square mile, Kay County, Oklahoma, led the nation with 123.4 flashes per square mile. Florida is frequently the dominating state in this category, however the lack of landfalling tropical systems during 2025's hurricane season likely lessened that number. Louisiana and Kansas rounded out the top four.</li><li>Peak Lightning Day: June 15 saw the most of any day of the year with 929,016 flashes.</li><li>Tourist and Travel Impacts: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta reported 10,000 lightning flashes. ATL, along with several other of the busiest airports in the county saw peak lightning numbers during the summer and the peak travel season. Millennium Park in downtown Chicago recorded more than 11,000 lightning flashes. Three SEC stadiums made up the greatest lightning exposure, Tiger Stadium, Kyle Field, and the Cotton Bowl. </li><li>Active Great Plains: 2025 signaled a shift to more frequent lightning in the heart of the country. While Oklahoma saw the highest flash density, Texas reported the most overall flashes at 13 million. That's 1.3 million more than average for the Lone Star State. About half of the top ten lightning states in 2025 were in the Great Plains. This is due in part to major severe weather outbreaks on the billion dollar disaster scale. </li></ul>

Oklahoma Dethrones Florida as U.S. Lightning Capital - AEM

Key Findings from AEM First Look

Courtesy: AEM

Tornado Threat Elevated Across the South Friday into Saturday

Two sprawling storm systems are tracking from

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

It has been one year since the Palisades and

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

This first full week of January has brought m

Another Round of Ice and Snow for the Northeast This Weekend

The Northeastern U.S. has been one of the mor

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

Several rounds of winter weather are set to i

Snow Returns to Ski Country

It's been a slow start to the ski season for

Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northeast

NORTHEAST - We've had a series of clipper sys