Brittany Lockley

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An active weather pattern will bring several rounds of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and cooler temperatures to the northern half of the country through the weekend, and into early next week.&nbsp;Several cold fronts are poised to move across the Upper Midwest Friday into the weekend. Warmth and moisture ahead of the approaching systems will help thunderstorms develop, with some storms becoming strong to severe.&nbsp;Severe weather and flash flooding will be possible with the storms.The main hazards from the strongest thunderstorms will be damaging wind gusts and large hail. Storms could become more widespread during the afternoon and evening hours as instability builds across the region.&nbsp;<h1>OVERNIGHT</h1>Early Sunday, we could see some more intense storms across the plains. Heavy rain, hail and damaging winds will be the focus for severe.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/PIC 5-1789255674141.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/PIC 4-1789255681357.png">Another risk for severe storms will build in a lot of the same areas for Monday. Here is the latest outlook from the Storm Prediction Center for the start of the work week.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 063928-1789216822393.png">Repeated Storms Could Lead to Flooding&nbsp;</h1>Along with the severe weather potential, heavy rain will become an increasing concern.&nbsp;Several rounds of rain and thunderstorms are expected to cross portions of the central and northern Plains and Midwest. Because storms may move across the same locations more than once, rainfall could quickly add up in some communities.&nbsp;A broad area could receive several inches of rain through early next week, with locally higher totals possible where the heaviest thunderstorms repeatedly develop. The greatest flooding concern will be in locations that receive multiple rounds of heavy rain over a relatively short period.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 064101-1789217055495.png"><h1>Cooler Air Follows the Storms&nbsp;</h1>A noticeable change in temperatures will accompany the unsettled weather.&nbsp;Cooler air dropping south from Canada will spread into parts of the northern and western United States behind the passing fronts. Some cities could see temperatures fall well below what is typical for mid-September.&nbsp;The biggest temperature changes are expected across portions of the Northwest and Rockies, where the incoming air mass will deliver a much more fall-like feel. At the highest elevations, temperatures could become cold enough for some wintry precipitation.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-11 073714-1789133844812.png">Meanwhile, warmer conditions will remain farther south and east, creating a significant temperature contrast across the country.&nbsp;The active stretch of weather highlights the seasonal transition underway across the northern United States. As stronger fronts begin moving across the country more frequently, periods of late-summer warmth will increasingly be interrupted by cooler air and stronger storm systems.&nbsp;Stay with WeatherNation TV for the latest forecast, severe weather alerts and updates throughout the weekend.&nbsp;

Patrick Crawford

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

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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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For the first time in the satellite era (since 1966), no hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic Basin to date, breaking the record for the latest date in the season. Two seasons previously held the record, with both Gustav (2002) and Humberto (2013) becoming the first hurricanes of their respective seasons at 8 am on September 11th. For the real nerds and weather historians out there, 1907 and 1914 did not have hurricanes either, but records in these years relied on observations from ships in the ocean or if a hurricane made landfall. Hurricanes could have formed in these years, but may have been missed due to a lack of satellites.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2098422798066798906" src="https://x.com/philklotzbach/status/2098422798066798906"></div><h1>Current &amp; Mid-Range Outlooks</h1>Signs point to low activity in the Atlantic persisting for the foreseeable future. Record breaking wind shear continues to tear up tropical waves that are able to wiggle between rounds of Saharan dust.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 124846-1789066365230.png">While the next 7 days continue to point to no activity, September is typically the busiest month of the season, so don't count it out. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is highlighting the potential for tropical development in the Western Atlantic, between the Bahamas and Bermuda, toward the last week of September. Right now confidence is low, but that may change.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 124903-1789066421772.png">While there have been five named storms to date, they've all been tropical storms, producing limited energy. ACE (Accumulated Cyclone Energy) measures total energy released by tropical cyclones and can be a good way to compare seasonal activity. So far, the Atlantic has produced less than 10% of its average ACE, while the Pacific has been nearly doubling what's expected.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 125042-1789067515540.png"><h1>El Niño Continues to Crush Atlantic Activity, Set To Break Records</h1>It's not surprising the Atlantic has been quiet while activity in the Pacific has been exploding. El Niño conitnues to break records and is expected to be the strongest on record as it peaks from the fall into the winter. El Niño is a global weather pattern, characterized by a shift in wind direction which pushes warm water east across the equator toward South America. These warmer water temperatures fuel tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific, but the warm water also alters the behavior of trade winds in the Atlantic. The increased wind shear from the trades often tears apart tropical systems as they try to get organized.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 125101-1789066389882.png">El Niño is expected to continue to intensify through the end of hurricane season, with a gradual wind down through the late winter and spring months. This should continue to limit tropical activity in the Atlantic, but that doesn't mean additional systems can't form and hit the United States. Remember, while wind shear increases over most of the Atlantic during strong El Niño events, the Gulf and western Atlantic (off the east coast of the US) can have less shear, leading to a better chance of systems forming closer to the coast. We've already experienced that several times this season with tropical storms.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-10 124853-1789066432246.png">

No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

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Stormy conditions in the Northeast will persist through the weekend as a frontal boundary and low-pressure system move through. Isolated severe storms are possible, along with heavy rainfall rates that could lead to flash flooding. Two flood watches have been issued which include areas like New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Columbus.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-12 05-13-05-1789211965920.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Severe Weather Outlook</h1>As the upper-level low swings through Ohio and Pennsylvania on Saturday, it will likely kick up some severe storms, with wind and hail damage possible. As the cold front moving from the Midwest arrives on Sunday, another round of severe storms will be possible for a larger area (orange region below), with wind and hail hazards, once again.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 051149-1789211912214.png">Forecast</h1>The morning starts with storm activity in the Ohio Valley before expanding across the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic. Heavy rain moves in across the I-95 corridor late Saturday night, persisting into Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, the trailing front taps into just enough moisture and warmth for a line of severe storms by the afternoon hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-12 05-19-39-1789212008524.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals look impressive where several rounds of rain possible. Some regions could see 2-3 inches widespread, with 4-5 inch totals possible in smaller areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 051207-1789211936895.png">This rain will be coming down quickly, increasing the chance for isolated flash flooding. A large section of the East will have the chance for flooding Saturday (below). Flood potential will be elevated for I-95 from Richmond through New York. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-09-12 051903-1789211953033.png">

Flash Flooding Targets the Northeast, Severe Storms Possible

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Tracey Anthony

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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. Beach erosion and coastal impacts have been significant! <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 across this area are running 10-20° above average for Thursday, before more seasonable temperatures for Friday. Near 90 is expected for San Diego! When the humidity is factored in, temperatures could feel nearly 10 degrees warmer, and today that humidity is lingering. <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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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). As Deep Moisture from the Gulf work north and meet this slow moving front across the southern plains, some much needed rain will be expected across the South. <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2097822363782103054" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2097822363782103054"></div><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. As you move farther west, closer to the Front Range, hail will also be a concern. <h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061922-1789044445622.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 Thursday &amp; again Saturday with a second system working through.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061131-1789043845373.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061654-1789043852643.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. Monthly records have already been broken in Wichita, KS. 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 and more record potential early next week. Check out Dallas! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/potementsssa-1788997081302.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062145-1789044664836.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">OK felt a brief cooldown for Thursday, but it won't last long. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot 2026-03-29 062111-1789044822647.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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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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Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

Jesse Kelley

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An upper-level low from Canada is traversing across the northern parts of the United States. This pattern is going to bring down some cooler air from Canada and push into the Plains by the weekend! For some, it could be an early taste of fall!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/1-1723154793844.png">Let's look at two cities for example. Cheyenne's normal high is 83 degrees and Thursday's forecast calls for a high in the upper 50's! In Oklahoma City, the heat wanes for a few more days before highs drop into the 80s on Friday and even 70's on Saturday! This change up of weather will also help create some thunderstorm chances across the Plains too.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/Baron 2-1723154917535.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A cold front pushing through the Plains is the reason for the cool down, but some could get some stronger storms into early Thursday. Additional storms fire off of the Rockies on Thursday and carry on east-bound through the end of the week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/08/1-1723154989370.png">

Scattered Storms and Cool Down This Week For the Plains

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Plains

An active weather pattern will bring several

No Hurricanes Yet in the Atlantic, A New Record

For the first time in the satellite era (sinc

Flash Flooding Targets the Northeast, Severe Storms Possible

Stormy conditions in the Northeast will persi

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