Dave Holder

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While much of the country, and in particular the Southwest, has been baking underneath a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/record-heat-rolls-east-this-week">historic heatwave</a>, a shift in the jet stream will mean cooler and wetter weather ahead!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/swsunday-1774725867968.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This weekend, stronger upper-level winds are beginning to overspread the Desert Southwest. As this occurs, rain and high-elevation snow chances will increase on Sunday and Monday with afternoon heating.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 115526-1774634146026.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774663680996.png">Unfortunately, drought conditions have been building across much of the West for the last couple of weeks. Extreme and Exceptional Drought now covers the majority of western Colorado. The good news is that there is some confidence in above-average precipitation as we head into April.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/4cornnextweek-1774725990061.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Precipitation chances will persist through much of next week, particularly so for the Four Corners on Tuesday. Another strong upper-level low dropping in from the Northwest could keep things active through the latter half of next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 132644-1774726014956.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 132707-1774726033862.png">Although not a "Drought Buster" by any means, these systems will at least help put a dent into the record-low snowpack across the West, along with some relief from the heat!

Southwest Pattern Change Ahead

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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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It's been unbearably hot across the West for the last week, after warm and dry conditions for a good chunk of the winter season. This has led to drought conditions, with dry vegetation ready to burn. Another cold front moves across the Northern Rockies and High Plains, increasing fire danger this weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 130712-1774724848391.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 130839-1774724926213.png">On the heels of the largest fire in Nebraska's history, two additional fires broke out last Thursday morning. The Ashby and Minor fires grew rapidly by tens of thousands of acres, very close to the Morrill burn scar. Given the continued fire weather conditions, more fire growth is possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774664322421.png">In the Southeast, fire danger will be increasing this weekend, too. Friday's cold front has dropped relative humidity values down below 20%. Moisture values are generally not this low across the South! Once you add the strong winds, any kind of spark could create more fire growth. A few fires have developed, including the CR 145 fire near Winona, MS. The fire has burned about 2400 acres.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 131008-1774725017059.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 131117-1774725084093.png"> Keep it locked in on WeatherNation, as we continue to update you on these fires and their impacts!

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

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Artemis 2 is finally ready to launch! After testing reveled a few issues in February and March, those issues have been resolved which has given the mission a go for launch in a window that opens Wednesday afternoon, April 1st. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 091928-1774711352235.png">What is the Artemis program? To put it simply, it's the first step in a series of programs to humans to Mars, but first, Artemis aims to bring humans back the moon, establishing a base while testing humanity's ability to live outside of Earth's orbit.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 091131a-1774710738504.jpg">This will be the first mission since 1972 to take humans before low-earth orbit, and likely farther from earth than any human has traveled before.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 092338-1774711751704.png">When it comes to launch day, the forecast is critical. Florida will likely have some pop-up showers, but it's a bit too early to determine if any thunderstorms could be in the area. Lightning poses a major issue and does frequently cause delays in Central Florida, but even a building cumulus field can cause launch issues.

Artemis 2 Set To Launch Wednesday, Watching the Forecast

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A strong cold front raced across the Midwest Thursday producing numerous severe thunderstorms. A few small tornadoes were confirmed in Ohio otherwise the biggest issues were wind and hail.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044015-1774608059978.png">Hail topped the size of tennis balls in Mount Etna, Indiana, with quite a few more significant hail reports over the size of golf balls! Thankfully the hail was no where near the size of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/destructive-tornadoes-hail-rip-through-central-us">record breaking 6"+ hail stone that fell about two weeks ago</a>.<h1>Next Week's Storm Systems</h1>Cool and drier conditions are expected behind the front, but temperatures and humidity will recover quickly across the east through next week. Several weaker waves of low pressure will move through to start the week before a large trough moves off the Rockies late in the week, bringing back several ingredients needed for severe storms. Models are still uncertain about exact timing and locations for the late week severe weather, but heavy rain and strong storms will be possible. Check back for updates!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044152-1774608384293.png">As the weak wave of low pressure moves through Monday night into Tuesday, severe storms will be possible around the Great Lakes. This threat will likely continue along the front into Tuesday afternoon from the Great Lakes down to Texas.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/PIC 2-1774710916738.jpg">Forecast Timing</h1>When the clipper system arrives Tuesday, we are seeing some high confidence in intense thunderstorm activity. The severe threat could be increasing by late Monday into early Tuesday morning. Here is the latest forecast from our WeatherNation in-house forecast model.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/FORECAST-1774711097856.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The SPC has already highlighted areas from Iowa through Michigan for severe weather potential starting late in the evening on Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 054122-1774698263872.png">The CPC is highlighting a large area from the Great Lakes to the Lower Mississippi for heavy rain that could lead to flooding late in the week. Severe storms will be possible in the Plains, Midwest, and South as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774641978910.png">While it's still a bit too early to determine locations and threats for this next event, climatology tells us where tornadoes are more likely heading into the month of April.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-27 044209-1774608399915.png">

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

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ABOVE - The month of March has been setting record after record, with nearly 100 locations nationwide breaking all-time March records. Each red dot above denotes a city that has tied or broken its all-time March record.It cooled off in parts of the Central United States on Friday. More records fell in the Southwest again to no surprise!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774664514078.png"><h1>Heat Continues, Surges Back Briefly</h1>While some areas are getting a nice cool down this weekend, locations like Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Phoenix are still stuck under the pesky ridge of high pressure. This will lead to additional record heat through early next week before this pattern finally comes to an end.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774664591275.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 051214-1774696341965.png">Highs stick to the 90s and 100s in the desert areas of Nevada, California, and Arizona on Friday and through the weekend. While areas like Denver and Salt Lake City were cooler on Friday, warmth quickly rebuilds this weekend. Record heat potential lingers through the mid-week in the Southwest before rain and cooler temperatures finally arrive!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 051320-1774696412331.png">In the Central U.S., the weekend starts cooler but warmth quickly rebuilds next week. The warmth is expected to last through the middle/end of the week before a trough drops temperatures and creates heavy rain potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 051309-1774696420347.png">There are signs that the pattern is beginning to change, with higher confidence in above-average temperatures shifting to the southeastern half of the country as we begin April. This would also suggest more of a classic, springtime severe thunderstorm pattern.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1774664635230.png">

Patrick Crawford

More Record Highs Obliterated in Historic Heat Wave

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Top Image Credit: National Parks Service<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div>Spring is here and so are the blooms of flowers all across North America. This includes the famous cherry tree bloom around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-28 050710-1774696193114.png">On Thursday, March 26th, the National Mall announced peak bloom has been reached! The peak is expected to last about a week or so, depending on weather conditions. On March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026, which was only off by about 3 days - an impressive forecast!<h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2>The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm">many types of cherry trees</a> in the area. Peak bloom usually lasts for several days, with the blooms taking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm">about two to three weeks to reach peak</a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-26 080844-1774534352362.png"><h2>Past Blooms</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"> Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).Visiting the blossoming cherry trees has become a favorite springtime tradition for Americans and tourists alike, dating back to 1912 when Japan gifted the U.S. about 3,000 cherry trees. The cherry trees in Japan have been putting on a show for thousands of years, with the dates of blooms being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/date-of-the-peak-cherry-tree-blossom-in-kyoto">recorded all the way back to the 9th century</a>. The dates for this year's peak blooms in Japan are expected from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/">late March through late April</a> from north to south across the nation.

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

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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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Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated the Hawaiian Islands late last week is on the move. It's being funneled around an area of high pressure, taking aim at the Pacific Northwest. Thankfully, it won't be nearly as heavy or intense as what Hawaii faced.Related: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/flash-flood-emergency-for-oahu-additional-rain-expected-for-hawaii">Kona Low Recap</a>This round looks like it will be a little different than the previous round, which brought only rain to the area. Snow levels with this system will drop a bit, bringing a shot at some wintry impacts to the mountain passes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-24 033707-1774345071882.png">An active Jetstream will bring more energy into the region on Tuesday. That's when you can expect the most widespread rain, with only scattered coverage from Wednesday onward.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-24 03-38-07-1774345113637.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>There will be winds with this latest batch, with some of the mountain peaks expecting the worst of them. Sporadic power outages will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-24 033943-1774345194700.png">Make sure you're staying tuned to WeatherNation for your northwest forecast at :50 past the hour!

Adrian Hernandez

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

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A digging trough from the northwest will work through California to increase snow chances for the Sierra. Winter Weather Advisories have now been issued for the high country for up to a foot of snow. The winds will be strong along with the snow chances, and travel could be difficult along some mountain passes. More winter alerts could be added to this map as the event unfolds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot 2024-11-15 081841-1731683953697.png">Throughout Thursday, the precipitation will start to increase from north to south. On Friday as the cutoff low lingers, more rain and snow is likely across the Sierra spilling over into Nevada and Utah. For information on this forecast, the West Regional always plays at :50 past the hour.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/11/2024-11-15 08-19-35-1731684008231.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot 2024-11-15 081852-1731684027454.png">The snow comes at a perfect time for ski resorts which are opening over the next several weeks in the Sierra! Another round of rain and snow will be possible into the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot 2024-11-14 061646-1731590265013.png">

Rain and Snow Chances Increasing for California

Southwest Pattern Change Ahead

While much of the country, and in particular

Passing Fronts Increase Fire Danger

It's been unbearably hot across the West for

Artemis 2 Set To Launch Wednesday, Watching the Forecast

Artemis 2 is finally ready to launch! After t

Large Hail Hits the Midwest, Strong Storms Return Next Week

A strong cold front raced across the Midwest

More Record Highs Obliterated in Historic Heat Wave

ABOVE - The month of March has been setting r

PEAK BLOOM - Cherry Blossoms Emerge at the National Mall

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

Pineapple Express Delivers Another Round of Rain

Heavy rainfall from moisture that inundated t