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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The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active so far this hurricane season and it shows no sign of slowing down. Meanwhile, the Atlantic remains mostly quiet, as wind shear continues to tear apart tropical waves moving off Africa. <h1>LOWELL</h1>Lowell is moving through the open waters of the Pacific after a close brush with Kauai that brought the Hawaiian island hurricane force wind gusts and over 20" of rain. Power restoration took a big step forward on Wednesday after being knocked out for over 30k households, more than 85% of the population. Over half of the islands households are now back up and running. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/hawaii highest gusts-1788918010468.png"><h1>Current Activity</h1>Norbert formed on Wednesday several hundred miles south of the Baja Peninsula, while two other areas are being monitored for potential development. Another system could form in the wake of Norbert, while another wave is being monitored farther west, in the Central Pacific basin. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 053807-1789040301407.png">Norbert is expected to track west as it slowly gain strength this weekend, potentially reaching hurricane status by Sunday or Monday. It is too early to determine where Norbert will eventually head, but residents in Hawaii should monitor Norbert's progress. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 054050-1789040464131.png"><h1>El Niño Helping Fuel Pacific Activity</h1>The surge in tropical activity comes as El Niño continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific. El Niño 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 2026-09-02 105616-1788368212978.png">This year’s El Niño has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.

Tropics: Power Restoration Underway in Kauai, Norbert Forms to the East

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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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Temperatures not only broke records on Wednesday but the heat index for some Southern California cities hit near 120° (above).While many do not associate tropical storms and hurricanes with the Desert Southwest, it's not unusual to see remnant moisture from these systems pulled into the region several times a year from decaying systems in the Eastern Pacific. The leftover moisture from Marie that streamed into the area over the holiday weekend is still lingering. Rainfall totals from Marie brought 2" in some locations. This also significantly increased the high surf and rip currents over the weekend holiday.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2097052283859070982" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2097052283859070982"></div>The higher moisture is also impacting the heat across the region. Dew point temperatures have been in the 60s and 70s. Heat Alerts remain active through Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-09 190346-1789002230793.png">Temperatures will hit the triple digits for cities like Los Angeles. The 90s are expected for San Diego! When the humidity is factored in, temperatures could feel nearly 10 degrees warmer.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-09 190400-1789002244390.png">Below are just a few of the records that broke in Southern California on Wednesday. Temperatures will start to reach near normal again for many by the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-09 190417-1789002291052.png">Had plans to hit the beach and beat the heat? Might not be the best idea to head into the water. Beach hazards statements have been issued for coastal California. Mainly, large waves and dangerous rip currents will be the threats to watch out for. Some of these alerts will last through the rest of the work week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-09 190510-1789002316119.png">If you are going to the beaches, swim near a lifeguard! This is true even for more experienced swimmers.If you ever find yourself caught in a rip current:<ol><li>Don't panic. If you panic and try to swim back to shore against the current, you will exhaust your energy.</li><li>Swim parallel to the coastline. Once you're out of the grip of the rip you'll be able to move towards the shoreline.</li><li>If swimming parallel is too difficult. Float on your back and try to signal for help!</li><li>Listen to the lifeguards and monitor beach conditions before you go into the water.</li></ol><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 081848-1788368179615.jpg">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest in the forecast.

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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The plains have had an active summer. Severe storms on Wednesday clocked in winds above 70 mph across portions of the plains. The risk for severe weather remains through the overnight (above).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-09 190907-1789002552786.png"><h1></h1><h1>THURSDAY</h1>A Marginal risk for severe weather remains through cities like Fort Smith, AR and Paducah, KY through Thursday. Damaging winds are the primary threat.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/thursdayy-1788997250565.png">TIMING</h1>Some storms will hold together overnight, and as the frontal boundary dips south, more storms will develop once again on Thursday. There is an isolated threat for severe weather including damaging winds and hail.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/FSAAA-1788997331944.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>FLOOD THREAT</h1>Rounds of severe storms are expected across much of the Plains and Northeast. As a result, the risk for flash flooding will be on the table into Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-09 191112-1789002676418.png">Make sure to tune in at :10 and :30 past the hour for your full Eastern and Central U.S. breakdown!

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

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A relentless ridge of high pressure has been tormenting much of the middle and eastern portions of the lower 48 for the past week. With that being said, another round of record highs was set across portions of the central plains. Fort Smith, AR, had a record high of 105°, beating out the previous record of 100°. Multiple cities broke or tied records, including Dallas and Tulsa.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/RECORD HIGH TEMPS -1788997004359.png">More records will be challenged over the next few days across the country.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/potementsssa-1788997081302.png">Temperatures across the Lone Star State are also going to remain in the triple digits for several spots. Over the next few days, expect the heat and humidity to remain. Thursday, spots like Little Rock, Dallas, and New Orleans will have feel-like temperatures digging into the 100s!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/thurssss -1788997154486.png">Unfortunately for the middle of the country, the middle of September likely won't bring any relief from the heat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-08 032947-1788859802102.png">Tune in to WeatherNation for the latest.

Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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The unofficial end of summer is bringing another busy travel weekend across the country as Americans head out for Labor Day getaways.&nbsp;Travel is expected to pick up beginning Thursday and remain busy through Monday, Sept. 7, as vacationers take advantage of the long holiday weekend. AAA booking data shows travelers are planning everything from road trips and national park visits to cruises and international vacations.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/PKG_TRT 7.00_2026 AAA LABOR DAY TRAVEL_ADRIAN HERNANDEZ_RS_E083026-1788614961272.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Several major U.S. cities are attracting a large share of holiday travelers. Seattle is leading domestic bookings, with Orlando, Boston, Denver and New York also among the most popular destinations. Seattle’s popularity is being helped by travelers departing on cruises to Alaska.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 072348-1788441841652.png">Road trips will be a major part of the holiday weekend, and travelers should be prepared for periods of heavy traffic. The first significant wave of congestion is expected Thursday afternoon as holiday traffic combines with the normal evening commute. The busiest conditions are expected between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday could be even more challenging, with heavier traffic possible from around midday through the evening.&nbsp;Saturday afternoon could also bring slower travel, while Sunday is expected to offer some of the better driving conditions of the weekend. Traffic is forecast to increase Monday again as vacationers head home.&nbsp;Some routes could take considerably longer than usual. In Colorado, the trip north from Denver to Fort Collins along Interstate 25 could take roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes around midday Thursday, nearly twice the typical travel time.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 072440-1788441889189.png">As far as the forecast goes, there are areas where severe storms will be possible throughout the day. One area is across the plains with the main threats being strong winds and large hail. Isolated tornadoes are possible in South Dakota. Another isolated threat for severe weather remains for portions of the Gulf Coast, including cities like New Orleans.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080556-1788789966265.png">It's still all about the heat from the Central U.S. to the Southeast. Here's a look at high temperatures for your Labor Day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-07 080612-1788789980970.png">National parks are another popular option for travelers looking to spend the final stretch of summer outdoors. Denver and Las Vegas are serving as major jumping-off points for visitors traveling to parks across the West, including Rocky Mountain, Arches, Zion and Grand Canyon.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-03 073709-1788442652697.png">With millions of people expected to be on the move, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead. Leaving early in the day can help drivers avoid some of the worst congestion, while checking road conditions before departure can help identify delays or alternate routes.&nbsp;Drivers should also make sure their vehicles are ready for a longer trip. Batteries, tires, and fluids are among the basics worth checking before hitting the highway. Keeping water, snacks, jumper cables, a flashlight, and first-aid supplies in the vehicle can also help if problems develop along the way.&nbsp;The holiday weekend traditionally marks one of the final major travel periods of the summer season, and whether Americans are heading to the beach, mountains, national parks or another city, crowded roads and airports are likely to be part of the journey.&nbsp;Stay tuned for more of the forecast with WeatherNation TV.

Labor Day Travel Underway as Americans Hit the Roads and Take to the Skies

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2095897171560477173" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2095897171560477173"></div>Severe storms have been following the same path this week, trekking from the Midwest into the Northeast. Another round of intense storms rolled through these areas on Thursday, with an EF-2 tornado in Detroit. Thursday's tornado was the first tornado within the Detroit Metro since July 1997!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/1-1788572871546.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102531-1788625559173.png">The intense winds have led to numerous downed power lines, leaving around 500,000 households in the dark Friday morning. Those numbers have been steadily improving since, but many are still without power around Detroit.<h1>Severe Threat Shifts South</h1>Through Saturday, the overall pattern should begin to change, although a lingering threat for strong or severe thunderstorms may remain across parts of the Carolinas. With repeated rounds of thunderstorms possible, some communities could experience more than one episode of severe weather or flooding before conditions finally improve.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102511-1788625519532.png"><h1>Storm Timing</h1><h2>Saturday</h2>New rounds of storms could get going early Saturday around the Great Lakes, dropping across the Ohio Valley through the day. Storms continue to dive farther south on Saturday as the front cruises down the east coast.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/FORECAST-1788568573869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Sun - Mon</h2>While some overnight storms are possible, Sunday morning looks to start mostly quiet, with a few isolated storms. By the afternoon, the front will trigger a new round of scattered to numerous thunderstorms, with several of these storms turning severe. Monday's threat will follow the front south into portions of Florida, Southern Georgia, and Southern Alabama.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05 10-42-55-1788626603869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flood Risk</h1>Heavy rainfall rates are expected to lead to flooding issues. The heaviest rain through Sunday morning is likely in the eastern Carolinas and SE Virginia. A level 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rain has been issued for these areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102645-1788625617628.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 102648-1788625639295.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-05 104232-1788626567428.png">For more on the severe and flooding threat across the Northeast, tune in to WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your Eastern Regional Forecast.

Power Still Out for Thousands; Severe Storms Target the East Coast This Weekend

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Intense rainfall has inundated parts of Texas this week thanks to, what was, Tropical Storm Edouard. Rain totals east of I-45, north of Houston, have come in at over 15 inches for a few areas.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2095195048312995975" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2095195048312995975"></div> The heavy rain led to flash flood emergencies being issued this past Wednesday, as roads became impassable in some areas. High rainfall totals for East Texas due to the heavy rain. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/pic4-1788473855278.png"> Additional heavy rain is expected for a few areas on Thursday, leading to a lingering flood threat, primarily due to saturated soils.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/pic4-1788474026008.png">The WPC has issued a moderate risk (level 3 out of 4) for parts of eastern Texas, with a level 2 threat that covers portions of the Dallas area. Isolated flooding may linger on Friday before the remnant moisture finally fades.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/pic4-1788474917265.png"><h1>Landfall</h1> Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall along the northwestern Gulf Coast on Tuesday, September 1st. The National Hurricane Center used radar data from Lake Charles, LA and Houston, TX to determine maximum sustained winds of 60 mph as it moved ashore around 2:20 PM CT near Johnson Bayou, LA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 194333-1788399821665.png">Wind speeds across portions of Texas peaked to 90 mph. Multiple areas saw wind speeds over 70 mph, leading to power outages for over 75,000 households.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-02 074944-1788356992093.png">

Patrick Crawford

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

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As millions in the United States get ready to find out whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow (he saw his shadow), including us here at WeatherNation, we wanted to let you know Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only game in town when comes to forecasting the weather for the rest of winter.

From other groundhogs to prairie dogs to walruses to polar bears, many communities across the United States have traditions where animal help forecast the weather for the rest of Winter. Here are all the ones we found:

<a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/local/photos-georgia-groundhog-gen-beauregard-lee/vPGK702XKDGD85esAwbIPM/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">General Beauregard Lee (Groundhog) in Georgia</a>

<a href="http://www.tnaqua.org/blog/entry/chattanooga-chucks-makes-his-groundhog-day-prediction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chattanooga Chuck (Groundhog) in Tennessee</a>

<a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article130281829.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sir Walter Wally in Raleigh-Durham, NC</a>

<a href="http://www.cleveland.com/weather/blog/index.ssf/2018/01/new_to_ohio_meet_buckeye_chuck.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buckeye Chuck in Ohio</a>

<a href="http://www.wboy.com/news/upshur/wva-wildlife-center-prepares-for-french-creek-freddie/943988503" target="_blank" rel="noopener">French Creek Freddy in West Virginia</a>.

<a href="https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/840/Groundhog-Day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie, WI</a>

<a href="https://www.charlotteagenda.com/37158/the-story-behind-charlottes-groundhog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queen Charlotte (Groundhog) in Charlotte</a>

<a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article130281829.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sir Walter (Groundhog) in Raleigh</a>

<a href="http://www.swvatoday.com/news/article_41d7ea5c-c52f-11e5-be80-3bd30ea79949.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woolly Mammoth in Saltville, VA</a>

<a href="http://buffalonews.com/2018/02/01/sean-kirst-for-dunkirk-daves-devoted-caretaker-every-day-is-groundhog-day/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dunkirk Dave in Western New York</a>

<a href="http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2015/02/sand_mountain_sam_alabamas_wea.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sand Mountain Sam the weather forecasting opossum in NE Alabama.</a>

<a href="http://www.times-news.com/western-maryland-murray-getting-an-early-start-saturday/article_892dc8e3-f491-5aa4-8482-809c1fba1196.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Western Maryland Murray</a>

Bee Cave Bob the Armadillo in Texas

http://kxan.com/2017/02/02/armadillo-day-will-bee-cave-bob-see-his-shadow/

<a href="http://www.fox21online.com/2017/02/02/spike-porcupine-sees-shadow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spike the Porcupine in Minnesota</a>

<a href="http://www.woodstockilchamber.com/events/details/groundhog-day-prognostication-3894" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woodstock Willie in Woodstock, IL</a>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unadilla-Bill-Groundhog-Celebration-311049559877/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unadilla Bill in Unadilla, NE (He's stuffed)</a>

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/long-island/groundhog-quogue-malverne-mel-1.16463511" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malverne Mel – Long Island, NY</a>

<a href="http://holtsvillehal.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Holtsville Hal –  Long Island, NY</a>

<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/things-to-do/2018/01/22/wauwatosa-elm-grove-brookfield-polar-bear-doing-groundhog-day-prediction-zoo/1044548001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee Zoo Polar Bears Forecasting</a>

<a href="https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/staten-island-chuck-predict-length-winter-groundhog-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Staten Island Chuck, NY</a>

<a href="http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2015-02-01/prairie-dog-pete-expected-see-shadow-sunny-groundhog-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prairie Dog Pete in Lubbock, TX</a>

Aqua Fria Freddie (Rattle Snake) in Phoenix, Arizona

<a href="http://www.journal-news.com/news/groundhog-day-friday-continues-131-year-old-tradition/anm8JTtxMoFQJe0t9EqyEL/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quilliam the Hedgehog in Dayton</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Punxsutawney Phil isn't the Only Game in Town

Tropics: Power Restoration Underway in Kauai, Norbert Forms to the East

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

Temperatures not only broke records on Wednes

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

The plains have had an active summer. Severe

Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

A relentless ridge of high pressure has been

Labor Day Travel Underway as Americans Hit the Roads and Take to the Skies

The unofficial end of summer is bringing anot

Power Still Out for Thousands; Severe Storms Target the East Coast This Weekend

Severe storms have been following the same pa

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

Intense rainfall has inundated parts of Texas