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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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>The California coast remains under Coastal Flood Advisories through Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121608-1791828991428.png"><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/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121715-1791829042950.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2109622612250988652" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2109622612250988652"></div>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/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121518-1791828923229.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 through Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121550-1791828954435.png">More on your Western Regional forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

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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 2026-10-12 052652-1791804423820.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/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121743-1791829067255.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 2 and will be riding up the coast, bringing major impacts to Mexico.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121757-1791829082125.png">Simon could potentially make landfall as a Category 2 storm by Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121835-1791829122652.png"><h1>El Nino Fueling Pacific Activity</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-08 104818-1791478116096.png">The Eastern Pacific has already hit records for the year being so active.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 121954-1791829204234.png">The surge in tropical activity comes as El Nino continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific. El Nino 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 Nino 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 Area in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

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Severe weather looks to return to parts of the Plains and Midwest this week as a big western trough cuts into record warmth to the east. As these air masses clash, tropical moisture from Simon will be pulled north, adding fuel for storms and downpours.<h1>Outlook &amp; Timing</h1>The fronts begin to clash Tuesday afternoon from Texas through Illinois. The SPC has issued a large marginal risk for Tuesday (level 1 threat) with a slight risk (scattered severe storms) issued from western Kansas through the Texas Panhandle. Hail will likely be a bigger threat early in the day with a few tornadoes possible. Storms could grow into storm complexes with an increasing wind threat by the evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 120402-1791828246584.png">Scattered showers will kick the day off but will gain enough energy by the afternoon for severe storms to form. Storm coverage will likely increase gradually before bigger clusters of storms take over during the evening and overnight hours. Additional rounds of severe storms and heavy look to persist in the Plains and Midwest through at least Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/1012-1791828334567.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With a multi-day storm threat in the area, we can't rule out some more severe come Wednesday. A MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe weather remains in place for areas in the Southern Plains and Texas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 120543-1791828348807.png"><h1>Flood Threat</h1>With the added moisture from Simon in the Pacific, heavy rainfall rates appear likely at times Tuesday through Friday morning. Rain could fall at more than 2 inches per hour in some areas, with totals surpassing six inches in a few locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 120607-1791828373135.png">The heavy rainfall rates will present a risk for flash flooding/ The WPC is highlighting areas from central Missouri through west Texas with a level 2 risk (slight) for flash flooding for multiple days in a row!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/10121-1791828422505.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>These outlooks and the timing will change as we inch closer to Tuesday and Wednesday. Be sure to check back in for updates!

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

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Kevin Schneider

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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.<h1>Upper-Level Trough</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051918-1791803974115.png"><h1>Snowfall Totals</h1>After this weekend, Montana picked up quite a bit of snow with this system! Elk Peak got up to 19"!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 052056-1791804157531.png"><h1>Forecast Snowfall</h1>Our in-house model is showing significant snowfall further south through Thursday. In combination with some tropical moisture, a lot of what ends up in higher elevations, will fall as snow. As for now, we could see totals above a foot across the Rockies by the end of the week!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 123137-1791829901402.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation at :50 past the hour for your full Western U.S. breakdown!

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

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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>Flooding/Storm Surge Recap</h1>Isaias brought heavy rainfall totals across the southeast. Heaviest totals stayed stuck down into Alabama and Florida, with Bellwood getting real close to that 13" mark!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051330-1791803624676.png">The flooding concerns extended down to the coastline. Places like Panama City Beach in Florida, say peak storm surge up to 5.5 feet!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051029-1791803632011.png"><h1>Severe Weather Recap</h1>Isaias made landfall as a strong category 2 hurricane. The max wind gusts definitely reflected that, with some spots across the Sunshine State picking up category 3 level wind gusts!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 051502-1791803779120.png">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">Stay tuned to the forecast here on WeatherNation. We'll bring you the details you need, and cut out all the hype.

Adrian Hernandez

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

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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! 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/Screenshot 2026-10-12 045742-1791802674049.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. We're already seeing those impacts in Bismarck and Rapid City!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 045849-1791802743931.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/Screenshot 2026-10-12 050248-1791802979903.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/10/Screenshot 2026-10-12 050315-1791803010391.png">

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

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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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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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Hopefully by now you've already hit up your local ski swap, waxed your snowboard and purchased your season pass! If so, it looks like you're going skiing/riding this weekend! Well, that is if you can get to one of the following places:

<img class="size-full wp-image-98692" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/10/Capture3-3.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> Ski resorts that are open for the weekend of October 20-21, 2018

The six ski resorts that are open (that we know of) are:
<ul>
 	<li>Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (Colorado)</li>
 	<li>Killington (Vermont)</li>
 	<li>Loveland (Colorado)</li>
 	<li>Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe (Nevada)</li>
 	<li>Sunday River (Maine)</li>
 	<li>Wolf Creek (Colorado)</li>
</ul>
Killington in Vermont is one of the mountains that makes an earnest attempt at becoming the first ski resort to open in the East. They opened Friday and posted this exciting video:

https://www.facebook.com/killingtonresort/videos/472289963263691/

The other big competitor for 'First to Open in the East' is Sunday River in Maine. They also opened Friday with this tweet:

https://twitter.com/sundayriver/status/1053280973146722306

Ski areas in the East have had to heavily depend on making the snow, due to predominently warmer-than-average temperatures this Autumn. In the West, it has been more of the natural snow for places like Arapahoe Basin in Colorado.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-98695 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/10/Capture2-5.jpg" alt="Six Resorts You Can Ski This Weekend" width="1920" height="1080" />

Wolf Creek in Colorado was the first to open in the country the weekend of October 13-14, but joining them is now Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, and Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.

https://twitter.com/MtRoseSkiTahoe/status/1053305325963497472

The weather conditions will be breezy this weekend for skiers and riders. There may be some mountain snow showers in the Northeast on Sunday for Killington and Sunday River. The warmer day for the East will be Saturday, much colder on Sunday. In the West, expect mild conditions with wind at times and perhaps some snow showers on Sunday.

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier