Kevin Schneider

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A slow-moving frontal boundary that brought numerous days of severe weather to the Plains, has hit a snag down south. This front has stalled out, which will provide the focus for storm chances over the next few days. With multiple rounds of storms on the way, flooding is a growing concern. Some areas of Texas have already seen 3-4 inches of rain!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 043144-1779273210458.png"><h1>FORECAST</h1>Going forward, the heaviest of the rainfall will target the lower Mississippi River Valley, into the Midwest. Some areas will pick up 3-5 more inches with some localized areas surpassing that easily. If you live in a flood-prone area of the southern plains into the Ohio River Valley, be prepared to seek higher ground.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 183732-1779323888225.png">With rounds of heavy rain expected over the next several days, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued 4 straight Excessive Rainfall Outlooks highlighting the flash flood threat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/ezgif-5e5b4ec32b4b57f9-1779322722893.gif">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">

Alana Cameron

Repeated Rain Raises the Flood Threat Down South

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

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ROCKIES - Through Thursday, an upper-level low and a cold front will move into the Rocky Mountains, bringing cooler air and chances for thunderstorms and even snow across the region.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/set up surface-1779309142943.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Winter weather alerts have been issued for portions of Montana and Wyoming in the higher elevations. Heavy snow is expected on north-facing slopes above 7,000 feet, where snowfall totals of 8–13 inches are possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 142621-1779309055977.png">Showers and snow showers have already begun in the higher elevations, and as temperatures drop overnight, snow will begin to accumulate at the highest elevations.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-20 rnw overnight-1779321981701.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>In addition to the snowy conditions, temperatures ahead of the system will remain warm enough to support instability and thunderstorms. Portions of the Plains are under a risk for severe thunderstorms as this cooler air mass collides with the warmer air ahead of the front. A SLIGHT (Level 2 out of 5) risk for severe thunderstorms is forecast for Colorado and surrounding states on Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 180643-1779322231276.png"> As the front moves in and provides additional forcing, stronger storms will become possible through tomorrow.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-20 denver tomorrow-1779322134758.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall totals are not expected to be nearly as high as they were earlier this week, but some minor disruptions to outdoor plans during the holiday long weekend are still possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 142647-1779309551933.png">Be sure to join us on WeatherNation for the latest!

Rockies Brace for Snow, Severe Storms as Cold Front Moves In

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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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SIMI VALLEY, CA - On Monday, May 18th in Ventura County, California, a new wildfire formed named the Sandy Fire. It has since burned over 2100 acres and grew quickly, threatening life and property. This prompted evacuation orders and warnings to the area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 175811-1779321590665.png">Footage in the region shows the extent of the smoke and poor air quality.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2056736634754809931" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2056736634754809931"></div>Additional fires have since quickly formed in southern California, despite no red flag warnings or fire weather outlook. The winds managed to be strong enough for fires to quickly get out of control in the areas. The Bain Fire in Riverside started to burn heavy fuels at a moderate rate before quickly burning up to almost 1000 acres. This prompted evacuation orders and warnings for many Riverside Zones.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 175901-1779321716156.png">The Bain Fire is burning in Riverside County, CA. This fire began on Tuesday, May 19, and quickly spread to over 1,400 acres. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 175716-1779321727729.png">Another fire we are watching is one that possibly started from a shipwrecked sailor off the coast of California. This is the Santa Rosa Island Fire which is over 16,000 acres. Not many people reside on this island but there are species on the island that are threatened by the fire. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 082822-1779309506622.png">Due to the extent of several wildfires burning in southern California, air quality has worsened in the area, and air quality alerts have been issued for the Greater Los Angeles area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 180225-1779321752404.png">For more on these, be sure to join us at WeatherNation at :50 past the hour.

CALIFORNIA: Wildfires Prompt Evacuations

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We've had quite the active stretch to start this workweek off. For the breakdown of what went on, give this a read<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-leave-trail-of-destruction-on-the-plains">https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-leave-trail-of-destruction-on-the-plains</a><h1>NORTHEAST</h1>A cold front is pushing into the northeast, bringing record hot temperatures. That combination is expected to lead to strong-to-severe storms on Wednesday afternoon. The biggest threat will be damaging winds and large hail as storms move through this evening.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/northeast pu-1779303042334.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>TEXAS</h1>The tail end of the front is dragging into the Lone Star State as well. That will provide enough of a focus for more storms, but down here, they could lead to a tornado or two.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 095609-1779292861700.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/moving aehad-1779303187914.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Intense downpours could lead to some localized flooding, especially in Texas. Some areas could pick up 2-3 inches of rain as storms push through.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 100148-1779292937347.png">

Patrick Crawford

Severe Storms Stick Around Midweek

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Brittany Lockley

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A big warmup is taking hold across the eastern United States, bringing temperatures that will feel more like midsummer than mid-May. Much of the East Coast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast saw temperatures surge into record-breaking territory as a strong area of high pressure settled over the region.&nbsp;Numerous records were broken on Tuesday afternoon, including Newark, NJ, which hit a high of 99 degrees. The NE can see one more day of record warmth before temperatures cool off.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/NORTHEAST HIGHS-1779242730674.png">RELATED: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-storms-possible-in-the-plains-midwest-to-end-the-week">Severe Chances on the Plains</a>High temperatures are forecast to climb into the 80s across many areas, while some cities could approach or even reach 90 degrees for the first time this year in the Northeast. The normal average for New York City this time of year is 72°, but the forecast high is expected to be 85° on Wednesday. Temperatures will dip back down to the 60s on Thursday, once a front passes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 030656-1779268041186.png">On Wednesday, more records will be broken with some locations up to 20 to 30 degrees warmer than what is typical for this time of year.&nbsp;This has prompted heat advisories through Wednesday afternoon. Major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Philadelphia and New York City, will come close to daily temperature records if the heat intensifies enough. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 031314-1779268412172.png">Additional records are likely to fall through mid-week across the East before our central U.S. cold front draws in cooler air and stormy weather.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 032043-1779268878961.png">Despite the urge, stay out of the waters in the area. Many bodies of water are barely above freezing, which could shock the system into paralysis if you jump in<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-18 104353-1779122640973.png">The unusually warm pattern will come to an end after our front passes through on Thursday. By the end of the week, many spots will be closer to seasonal norms in the 70's<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-20 031551-1779268564533.png">

One More Day of Blistering Temperatures

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<h1>SUNDAY</h1>A potent setup, fueled by record hot temperatures, lead to destructive severe storms this past weekend. The worst of the days was easily Sunday, with over 300 reports of severe weather, including hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-18 110814-1779124204412.png">A strong tornado touched down in Nebraska as a part of the outbreak. Even with all of this damage, no injuries were reported Sunday afternoon.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2056161399349580033" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2056161399349580033?s=20"></div>In a recent update after the damage survey labeled that Saint Libory tornado and EF3!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 050928-1779188995338.png">Other places were spared tornado damage but picked up MASSIVE hailstones. It's not a surprise that the cell responsible for the damage in Palmer also produced the largest hailstone on the day.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-18 111222-1779124373927.png">All of this severe weather came on the heels of an active day to start off the weekend! Severe storms lead to baseball-plus-sized hail in Missouri and Kansas, and prompted a Flash Flood Emergency in the Trenton, MO area after 6+ inches of rain fell.<h1>MONDAY</h1>Yet another big severe weather day was felt across the Midwest. We received roughly 20 tornado reports across Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. Hefty damaging winds and large hail reports came pouring out yesterday as well!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 101520-1779207339213.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 050444-1779188693950.png">A Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch was issued ahead of several tornado-warned storms. Some touched down, giving us views just like this one out of Blue Rapids, Kansas!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2056524242070741358" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2056524242070741358"></div><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-19 050839-1779188929043.png">

Severe Storms Leave Trail of Destruction on the Plains

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ROCKIES - The precipitation will continue to slow down through Tuesday morning, but more precipitation and snow will be possible on Tuesday afternoon. Totals may still be heavier in the Rocky Mountains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-18 163246-1779143794793.png">Behind this wintry, rainy weather, temperatures will be at their coolest through Tuesday morning. This has prompted frost and freeze alerts for Tuesday morning for the High Country. Be sure to protect any sensitive vegetation overnight if you want it to last this freeze!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-18 163251-1779143843851.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-18 163259-1779143848747.png">Check back in to WeatherNation for the latest.

Jackie Brown

Spring: Frost Alerts Post Winter Alerts in High Country

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A strong storm system moved through Northern California on Monday, dropping through a strong enough cold front that produced a tornado!
<h1>Severe Outlook</h1>
Earlier today, Northern California was under a marginal risk (level 1, on a scale of 1 to 5) for severe storms.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-134067" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/01/01-04-spc-day-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />
<h2>Tornado Potential</h2>
As storms developed, there was enough spin in the atmosphere to produce some rotation in a thunderstorm.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-134068" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/01/01-04-tor-potential.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

https://twitter.com/i/status/1346253370554785793
<h1>Forecast</h1>
As our cold front continues to push onshore, precipitation is expected to continue overnight. But most of the heavier storms will weaken, and most of the notable precipitation will fall as snow in the Sierra Nevadas and into Northern Utah and Northern Colorado.
<h1><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-134108" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/01/utah-bams-snow-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-134107" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/01/overnight-snow.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-134106" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/01/co-snow.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /></h1>
<h1>Forecast Snowfall</h1>
Snowfall over the Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges in Utah could be on the order of 5"-10" with locally higher amounts.  The same forecast holds for around Steamboat Springs, CO too.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-134105" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2021/01/snow-totals.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

For more details on the snow chances in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and northern California we have another article write up here: <a href="https://bit.ly/3b2jjVt">More Snow to Add to Sierra Snowpack</a>.

Tornado Spotted Monday in California!

Severe Outlook

Tornado Potential

Forecast

Forecast Snowfall

Repeated Rain Raises the Flood Threat Down South

A slow-moving frontal boundary that brought n

Rockies Brace for Snow, Severe Storms as Cold Front Moves In

ROCKIES - Through Thursday, an upper-level lo

CALIFORNIA: Wildfires Prompt Evacuations

SIMI VALLEY, CA - On Monday, May 18th in Vent

Severe Storms Stick Around Midweek

We've had quite the active stretch to start t

One More Day of Blistering Temperatures

A big warmup is taking hold across the easter

Severe Storms Leave Trail of Destruction on the Plains

SUNDAYA potent setup, fueled by record hot te

Spring: Frost Alerts Post Winter Alerts in High Country

ROCKIES - The precipitation will continue to