Kevin Schneider

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If you thought it was hot over the Memorial Day weekend, it's getting worse for some. Those on the High Plains from Montana to Wisconsin are feeling the heat as a ridge of high pressure sets up early this week. With it being such a drastic warmup vs normal and it being relatively early in the "summer" months, a MAJOR heatwave is expected in Montana.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 101229-1779812022750.png">Highs will soar in to the upper 80's and lower 90's, with some unlucky folks flirting with the century mark.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 102028-1779812433974.png">A cold front makes a glancing blow to the area, sparking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-target-the-northern-plains">severe chances in the Upper Midwest</a> on Tuesday, but doesn't deliver much cool air. Record highs in places like Billings will be in trouble through Friday<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 102428-1779812727361.png">

Searing Heat Bakes the High Plains

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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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An unsettled weather pattern will continue to bring heavy rainfall across portions of the south, and the flood threat continues over the next few days. Chattanooga, TN, set a daily record for rainfall on Sunday with 1.40". Athens, GA also was among the cities breaking records. Over the next few days, heavy rain and flooding will be concerns.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/CHATANOOGA-1779709115207.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 035133-1779789102750.png">There are outlooks from the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) for heavy rainfall over the next few days. These outlooks are under level 2 risks, meaning scattered flooding will remain possible through Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-26 03-52-13-1779789152195.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As we look ahead, rounds of rain will be possible over the next few days. Always use caution when approaching flood waters, and never drive through.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-26 03-52-54-1779789194478.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Use caution if you are travelling in these hard-hit areas. A good reminder to avoid driving through flooded roadways at all costs. You never know what's under that water.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 053417-1779190502548.png">While this rain is leading to flash flooding, it is beneficial for many areas since drought conditions are widespread and intense for many of these locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 071648-1779542228755.png">

Adrian Hernandez

Repeated Rain Raising the Flood Threat

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>A trough will combine with instability, and over the next few days, we can see multiple rounds of severe weather for portions of Texas and New Mexico. Today, there is a marginal and slight risk for severe weather across portions of Texas and New Mexico. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 035628-1779789401419.png">A Significant hail threat is in place on Tuesday. Cities like San Angelo and Midland have a chance to see large hail! Hailstones up to 2 inches will be possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 035657-1779789435182.png">Expect storms to get going daily, and anything that does develop will have the potential to be strong to severe.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-26 03-57-33-1779789475335.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rainfall will be a concern as well, with any storms that do develop.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 035807-1779789510241.png">For more on the Texas severe threat, tune into WeatherNation at :30 past the hour.

Severe Threat For Portions of Texas To Start The Week

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<h1>RECAP</h1>We've had quite the last 72 hours across the High Plains and Upper Midwest. We saw loads of hail reports out of South Dakota, even a few just outside the Twin Cities! Nebraska also got in on the action, with several reports of severe winds near Kearney, NE.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 033541-1779788229386.png"><h1>WHAT TO EXPECT - UPPER MIDWEST</h1>Looking ahead, we have another outlook for the Upper Midwest. This one will bring with it damaging winds and some hail mainly. This outlook is associated with a new front that will sweep through the area!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 033723-1779788420533.png"><h1>TIMING</h1>The biggest threat for the Upper Midwest is likely to occur around 6-8 PM on the back end of the cold front. Eventually, the front slides out east, bringing more rain to the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast! This will also bring more severe weather to the region.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-26 03-40-55-1779788489218.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>WHAT TO EXPECT - NORTHEAST</h1>Once all this energy squeezes over to the Mid-Atlantic, a small severe weather outlook will be in effect. This one, only really calling for a damaging winds potential across Virginia. Washington, D.C., is also included in this outlook!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 034453-1779788769927.png"><h1>RAIN TOTALS</h1>We can see some pretty hefty rainfall totals by Wednesday. The heaviest will likely stay down south across the Mid-Atlantic. However, the Upper Midwest could see some isolated spots toppling 2"!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 034844-1779788938773.png">

Severe Storms Target The Upper Midwest

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>Heavy rain has already hit numerous areas in the Southeast this past week, creating major flash flooding issues in Atlanta. A marginal risk for severe weather remains in place for Sunday and into the overnight hours for portions of GA, AL &amp; FL. Damaging winds and hail will be the primary concern. On Monday, we have another chance of strong-to-severe storms, including in Tallahassee and Atlanta. Once again, damaging winds will be the main concern. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/mondayyaa-1779653951757.png">As the low moves through, scattered showers and storms will continue through the holiday on Monday. Heavy rain will also be a concern as this frontal boundary lingers. Always turn around and never attempt to drive through flood waters. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/ovvv-1779654086424.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Additional heavy rain is expected to increase the potential for flash flooding, in addition to strong storms and severe weather threats. For more on the flood potential, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/repeated-rain-raises-flood-threat-down-south">click here</a>.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-23 073318-1779543220474.png">More rain is expected over the next few days for portions of the south. Mobile, Alabama, will have storms around for Memorial Day, and the storm chances continue into Tuesday and Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/mobile alabama-1779640203804.png">

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

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Karissa is the Director of On-Air Operations at WeatherNation. Karissa grew up loving math and science, but really fell in love with Meteorology while attending the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After two summers of storm chasing in the central plains, she knew that it was the career path for her. Standing in front of a thunderstorm and feeling the cool outflow knock her over was an experience she will never forget. After two years at COD, she transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver. Karissa graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology. Her high school and college speech and meteorology professors were extremely supportive and pushed her to succeed. Before joining the WeatherNation team, she previously worked as the Morning Meteorologist at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa and at WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL. She recently was part of a National Edward R. Murrow award winning team for breaking news for their coverage of the EF-4 tornado in Washington, Illinois. In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking and trying new foods. She is a self proclaimed 'TV Junkie' who can get into just about any show. She is a die hard Chicago sports fan who loves attending professional sporting events.

Karissa Klos

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NOAA has released <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-below-normal-2026-atlantic-hurricane-season">their predictions for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season</a>. They are calling for a below normal season with 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 1-3 major hurricanes. For probability, they predict a 35% chance of a near-normal season, a 10% chance of an above-normal season, and a 55% chance of a below-normal season. As a reminder, even below average seasons can have major impacts. All it takes is one storm making landfall for it to be a devastating season in the U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 100455-1779379504114.png">NOAA sites several factors in their forecast, including the burgeoning El Ni­­ño, and possible Super Ni­­ño, shaping up in the tropical Pacific. The expectation for an El Ni­­ño event during the peak of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane season is a big factor in keeping numbers lower than previous years, along with near normal sea surface temperatures, which have been much above average in recent seasons.The confidence in an El Niño developing this summer is quite high, but the remaining question is how strong will the event be? A weak El Ni­­ño typically has a lower impact on the tropics in the Atlantic, while a strong El Ni­­ño has a more consistent impact. Each updated forecast from the Climate Prediction Center shows higher confidence in this year's El Ni­­ño being on the strong side.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 083641-1779374209515.png">Why does El Ni­­ño typically reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin? The warmer water in the equatorial pacific often leads to a more energetic sub-tropical jet, leading to stronger winds in the upper-atmosphere over the Caribbean. Surface winds in the Caribbean most often comes from the east, known as the trade winds. When these winds lay under strong winds from the opposite (or even the same direction), it leads to strong wind shear which tears hurricanes apart.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 063418-1775740706915.png">“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”If this year's name list looks familiar, it's the same one from the historically active 2020 season. There is one difference: the name "Laura" was retired after Hurricane Laura devastated the Louisiana coast. It was replaced with "Leah".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-09 065301-1775741404492.png"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/csu-releases-first-hurricane-forecast-for-2026">Colorado State University's Tropical Weather Department has already released their early forecast for the Atlantic Hurricane Season.</a> They are calling for a near normal to slightly below average season with 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. Even with a slightly below average season, major hurricanes are expected with many other named storms. Any named storm that hits land can have major to extreme impacts, so join us here on WeatherNation for Hurricane Prep Week! We'll be talking science with the experts, preparations and so much more. Be sure to check us out LIVE on<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/watch-us"> these platforms</a> or on our YouTube stream June 1-7!<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CcuXpHBtV9o" start="0"></iframe></div>

NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2026 Hurricane Season

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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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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released several important seasonal outlooks today, including their expectations for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season. Hurricane season and summer are expected to be impacted by a burgeoning El Niño, which could be very strong through much of the second half of 2026. Among the new outlooks issued are the seasonal forecasts for meteorological summer, which runs from June through August. NOAA is expecting much of the lower 48 to experience above-average temperatures (top of page), with higher confidence across the Western U.S. The Midwest and parts of the middle Mississippi Valley have an even chance for above or below-average temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113803-1779385356524.png">Much of the country is forecast to have near-normal rainfall for meteorological summer, but a few areas are favored for below-average precipitation. These include the Texas Gulf Coast, Upper-Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. In contrast, the Northeastern U.S. is slightly favored to see above-average precipitation. There is some confidence in parts of the Four Corners region having above-average rainfall, indicating the Climate Prediction Center expects an above-average monsoon season.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113858-1779385377893.png">Not surprisingly, the forecast rainfall in the Four Corners could lead to drought improvement, which is expected in the seasonal drought outlook (above). Drought is also expected to improve in Florida, parts of Texas, and the lower Mississippi Valley. Drought is expected to expand or develop from California through Minnesota.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 113928-1779385397348.png">The North American Monsoon (NAM) develops in Mexico in June and shifts north into the Four Corners, Great Basin, and California into July, August, and September. More data is needed to understand any correlation between El Niño and the NAM, but tropical systems tend to be more active in the Eastern Pacific during El Niño years. Remnants of these systems can greatly increase rainfall during the NAM.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-21 114106-1779385397348.png">

Searing Heat Bakes the High Plains