WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, FL, around 8:30 pm CT as a Category 2 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds were reported at 105 mph with a minimum central pressure of 971 mb.On Wednesday evening, Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. This breaks the decades-old record of the latest to form in the modern, satellite era.The storm got off to a slow start, but quickly strengthened Friday, becoming a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph. Although it weakened slightly as it came ashore, there are widespread reports of wind damage and power outages along the coast. Isaias is now a post-tropical cyclone as it continues moving northward into the Mid-South.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2108724199535919547" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2108724199535919547"></div><h1>Severe Weather Reports &amp; Threats</h1>The remnants of Isaias brought flooding and many severe storm reports. North Carolina saw numerous tornado and wind reports. Flash flooding was also a concern as the tropical moisture moved through.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/remnantssss -1791769459868.png">Overnight, there will be a risk for a few isolated tornadoes. The area of greatest concern is again in the Mid-Atlantic<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/tor pott-1791769387550.png">Stay tuned to the forecast here on WeatherNation. We'll bring you the details you need, and cut out all the hype.

Jackie Brown

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Impacts Spreading North

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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.

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Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico, but the moisture, wind, and coastal hazards have brought impacts across the southwest. Heavy rain has already prompted flash flooding, with elevated winds reportedly leading to some damaged trees. Remnants of Rachel are also significantly impacting the Southern California coastline.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2109372509783232854" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2109372509783232854"></div><h1>Rain &amp; Flood Forecast</h1>The Remnants of Rachel brought heavy rainfall. Las Vegas saw 1.08" of rainfall on Sunday, breaking the old record of .78". This ties the all-time wettest October Day! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/overnigh racehsssll-1791768492215.png">Some areas across the Southwest saw multiple inches of rain, with Rachel's remnants prompting numerous flash flood warnings on Sunday. The flood alerts remain in place through Monday as additional rainfall totals of 1-2 inches will be possible. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/flood laerts -1791768736168.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/flood alerts in placee-1791768677122.png">Numerous and significant flash floods are possible for areas like Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, St. George, and Cedar City. There is a SLIGHT threat of heavy rainfall and flooding overnight. Severe storms are possible, in addition to the flooding impacts. Damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are possible in the areas below. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has a MARGINAL risk for severe weather across portions of the Southwest into the overnight hours. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/overnight sss-1791768347959.png">More on your Western Regional forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Rachel Spreading Moisture into the Southwest

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Kevin Schneider

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More records were broken across the central plains and Midwest on Sunday as a ridge of high pressure continues to dominate! (above). St. Joseph, Mo and Twin Cities, MN, reached 90°, breaking previous records. As we look ahead, many records will be challenged in the coming days! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/po record highs-1791769097980.png">For folks in the upper Midwest, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A front dropping through will break the heat, but farther south will take a little longer.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/NORTHERN TEMPSSSS -1791753317530.png">The southern plains and southeast will get back to and stay in another round of August-like heat. Temperatures across the southern plains will dig into the 90s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/MON - WEDDD-1791753326375.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/MON - WEDDD -1791753346239.png">

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

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A strong upper-level trough digging south from the Gulf of Alaska will bring some noticeable changes to the weather pattern. Wind, snow, and fire weather are possible, and this pattern will last into early this week.<h2>UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH</h2><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/pic4-1791651989874.png">WINTER ALERTS</h2>Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect into Monday. The parts of Montana under the Warning will experience the heaviest of the snow. This will create very dangerous travel conditions. This includes extremely low visibility and fast accumulations that could deteriorate road conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/into monoday snowssss-1791753610672.png">Some areas have already seen over a foot of snow. An additional 3-6 inches will be possible for some folks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/MT REPORTSS -1791769212294.png">FORECAST SNOWFALLOur in-house model is showing significant snowfall through Monday. Forecast models can overpredict snowfall in the Fall months, so this is not a given, but with it being the first big snow in these areas, impacts will be felt. These numbers are in addition to what has already fallen.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/forecast accumuliations -1791753754685.png">

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Northern Rockies This Weekend

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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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Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hurricanes in the Atlantic, but how will the rest of the season shape up? Record-breaking wind shear is likely to continue to limit most tropical systems in the Atlantic, but a few more storms are still possible. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a low-pressure system near the Cabo Verde Islands, giving it a low chance to develop as it moves NNW. This system is not a threat to the United States.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-11 042241-1791714411718.png"><h1>Pacific Basin</h1>The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active so far this hurricane season and looks to continue to create additional activity through the next week. Several systems could bring impacts to the United States.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/pacificccc-1791769657468.png"><h2>SIMON </h2>We also have Hurricane Simon, which formed Wednesday afternoon off the coast of Acapulco. Simon is an impressive hurricane, at one point a strong Category 4. It is currently Category 3 and will be riding up the coast, bringing major impacts to Mexico.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/CATEGORY 333 -1791769820436.png">Simon is expected to weaken considerably after moving over the state of Jalisco, before making another landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane near Culiacan. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/SIMONNNFFF -1791769747224.png"><h1>El Niño Fueling Pacific Activity</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-08 104818-1791478116096.png">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 2026-09-28 194202-1790646127358.png">This year’s El Niño has already strengthened considerably, and forecasts indicate it could become exceptionally strong later this year.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 063433-1789216512410.png">

Tropics: Another Blob in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

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Deep tropical moisture streaming north from the Gulf is combining with a slow-moving front, setting the stage for widespread showers and thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast. Apalachicola, Florida, saw 7.49 inches of rain on Monday; this was the wettest October day on record! More heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible Thursday into Friday, along with an isolated tornado or two. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2107561532381090282" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2107561532381090282"></div>A stalled front is taking the moisture from Isaias and pulling it across Central and Northern Florida. For more info on Isaias and its impacts, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Gulf-Braces-For-Tropical-Impact">read here</a>.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/2026-10-08 09-10-32-1791472273083.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Some localized totals of 5-6 inches of rain will be possible. Watch out for localized flash flooding and ponding on the roads in the usual spots.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-08 085923-1791472325822.png">In addition to heavy rain, extra rotational energy from Isaias could spawn a few tornadoes on Thursday. Stay tuned to WeatherNation TV for additional details and live coverage.

Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

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Brittany Lockley

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A major temperature divide is unfolding across the United States as millions experience a true taste of fall while parts of the West continue to deal with summer-like heat.&nbsp;A surge of cooler air has spread across much of the central and eastern United States, sending temperatures tumbling and bringing some of the chilliest conditions of the season so far. Meanwhile, unusually hot weather continues across portions of the West Coast, where temperatures are running well above what is typical for early October.&nbsp;Summer Hangs On in the West&nbsp;While jackets are coming out farther east, residents across portions of the West are still dealing with significant heat.&nbsp;Temperatures across parts of California and the interior West are running roughly 10 to 15 degrees above average in some locations. Triple-digit temperatures have even been recorded in portions of Southern California despite the calendar moving deeper into October.&nbsp;Los Angeles experienced consecutive October days with temperatures reaching at least 100 degrees, highlighting the intensity of the unusual fall heat.&nbsp;The persistent warmth stretches beyond Southern California, with above-average temperatures extending through portions of the Great Basin and toward the northern Rockies.&nbsp;Over the next 3 days, many cities will be near, tie, or break the current records.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035357-1791366853404.png">Heat alerts remain in place through Friday. Los Angeles is under an extreme heat warning, meaning use caution if working outdoors and make sure to drink plenty of water.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035446-1791366898851.png">Check out temperatures in Los Angeles: the average high is normally 80°, but temperatures will flirt again with the century mark even in the next few days. Temperatures will remain in the upper 90s for Las Vegas, and Phoenix will dig into the 100s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035550-1791366965841.png">The Northwest will also be threatening record-high temperatures. High temperatures will stay hot in most of the cities in the Northwest. These highs will be anywhere from 10-15° above average.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 035630-1791367010235.png">Meanwhile, in the Northeast, Fall Air Settles In&nbsp;A strong cold front has helped usher cooler, drier air into a large portion of the country. Behind the front, daytime temperatures are struggling to climb out of the 50s and 60s in some areas.&nbsp;The cooler air is especially noticeable during the overnight and early morning hours. Temperatures are dropping into the 30s and 40s across parts of the northern tier, Great Lakes and Northeast, creating the potential for frost in some of the coldest locations.&nbsp;For areas that have enjoyed a relatively warm start to fall, the change may feel especially dramatic.&nbsp;The arrival of the cooler air is also pushing temperatures below seasonal averages across portions of the central and eastern U.S., signaling a more traditional October weather pattern.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 040003-1791367220514.png">A Coast-to-Coast Temperature Contrast&nbsp;The dramatically different conditions are creating a weather map that looks more like two different seasons.&nbsp;Much of the East is experiencing crisp mornings, cooler afternoons, and increasing frost potential, while parts of the West remain firmly locked in a pattern more typical of late summer.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-07 040204-1791367341750.png">Eventually, the western heat is expected to ease as the weather pattern shifts. Until then, millions of Americans will continue experiencing very different versions of October depending on which side of the country they call home.Tune in to WeatherNation for the latest on this forecast and records that break throughout the days to come.

Fall Chill Grips the East While Record Heat Bakes the West

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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

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Impacts Spreading North

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, F

Rachel Spreading Moisture into the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

More records were broken across the central p

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Northern Rockies This Weekend

A strong upper-level trough digging south fro

Tropics: Another Blob in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

Deep tropical moisture streaming north from t

Fall Chill Grips the East While Record Heat Bakes the West

A major temperature divide is unfolding acros