WeatherNation Meteorologists

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SPOKANE, WA - On Saturday, August 1st, the Old Trails Fire ignited northwest of Spokane. This fire was fueled by hot, dry conditions and wind gusts up to 45 mph, which helped the fire spread rapidly through grass and brush before reaching neighborhoods. The fire eventually crossed the Spokane River, creating additional challenges for firefighters.<h3>Impacts:</h3><ul><li>Thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders</li><li>Approximately 600 structures have been destroyed, and thousands more are threatened</li><li>Containment remains at 0% for the Spokane Complex</li></ul><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2083726162212298857" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2083726162212298857"></div>The Governor of Washington, Bob Ferguson, has declared a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-declares-statewide-wildfire-emergency-issues-statewide-burn-ban">statewide wildfire emergency</a>, including a statewide burn ban due to the current drought conditions, high temperatures, and high winds.<h2>Forecast Ahead</h2>Forecast winds are expected to ease through tonight, but active fire behavior will likely continue in these areas. The SPC has maintained a CRITICAL, level 2 out of 3, risk for fire danger through tonight across the northwestern region, as well as numerous Red Flag Warnings.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 131404-1785698057167.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 131407-1785698062217.png">Residents should have a go bag packed and an evacuation plan in place in case evacuation orders expand into their area. If your community is placed under an evacuation order, leave immediately and follow instructions from local emergency officials.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 163825-1785710315388.png"><h2>Air Quality</h2>Smoke from the ongoing wildfires has prompted air quality alerts across much of the northwestern United States. People in affected areas should limit or avoid outdoor activities while poor air quality persists, especially those with respiratory conditions, older adults, and young children.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 163842-1785710327434.png">Forecast models indicate areas of dense smoke will develop overnight and into Monday morning. As temperatures cool after sunset, a temperature inversion often forms, trapping smoke close to the ground and leading to deteriorating air quality near the surface.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/wildfiresssssaa-1785722130184.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Residents should expect reduced visibility and degraded air quality through Monday morning before seeing improvements.

Kevin Schneider

Spokane Complex Continues to Burn

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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!

Alana Cameron

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A low-pressure system that moved through the Midwest on Saturday is pushing into the eastern U.S. today and Monday, bringing the threat for both flash flooding and severe weather. This comes just days after historic rainfall impacted parts of the Northeast, leaving saturated soils that will increase the flash flood risk this week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/08-02 rne ero-1785696408629.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Flood watches have been issued through tonight across the Northeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 163948-1785710394484.png"><h2>Severe Potential</h2>Earlier today, Niagara Falls was under a Tornado Warning. There have been reports of wind damage, but it has not yet been confirmed whether a tornado actually touched down.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VO_080226_RNE_NIAGARA,NY_TIMELAPSE TOURIST BOAT DRIVING INTO GRAY MISTY NIAGARA FALLS MORNING SPRAY_EARTHCAM_RH_E080226-1785696545616.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>OVERNIGHT</h1>This area is under a MARGINAL risk (level 1 out of 5) for severe weather with damaging winds serving as the primary hazard; however, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/overnighssss-1785721705179.png">The severe weather threat continues overnight across the highlighted areas. On Monday, the Storm Prediction Center has issued another MARGINAL risk (level 1 out of 5) as an upper-level disturbance and an advancing cold front move through the Northeast. Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop, especially during the afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/FSSFFSS-1785721813468.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Forecast Rainfall</h2>As the cold front pushes east, slows, and eventually moves offshore, repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms could produce rainfall rates up to 1-2 inches per hour. These intense rain rates may quickly overwhelm drainage systems, increasing the threat for flash flooding, especially in urban areas and other locations with poor drainage.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 164224-1785710548603.png">Be sure to follow along on WeatherNation or on Youtube - we're streaming 24/7 with the latest forecasts and weather updates.

Jackie Brown

More Storms for the East Through Monday

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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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A large area of high pressure continues to bring the heat across the United States. Extreme heat warnings and heat advisories are all in place across the South and West. Find ways to stay cool and stay out of the sunshine. Multiple records were broken today. Chadron, Nebraska set a new record of 109°, beating out the old record of 104°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/sunday plaisssn-1785722655689.png"><h1>Southwest</h1>Extreme Heat Warnings and Advisories have been issued for parts of the Desert Southwest for the rest of the weekend and into early next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 132228-1785698568557.png">Temperatures for Los Angeles will climb into the 90s, with Las Vegas climbing into the 110s. Normally this region is known for hot and dry conditions, but with monsoonal moisture in the area, the heat index values will be abnormally high!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 132322-1785698610402.png"><h1>Northwest</h1>Temperatures across the interior Northwest will spike over the next few days as well, with heat alerts issued for Wyoming and Montana for Sunday. Highs over 100° are possible for many lower elevation locations.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 132338-1785698625619.png">For everyone across the country dealing with the intense heat, practice heat safety, take frequent breaks, and stay hydrated as best as you can in the days upcoming.

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

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<h1>Pacific</h1>Genevieve formed last Friday south of Acapulco, Mexico. Chewing up loads of warm water, Genevieve rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane; after moving into cooler waters, it started weakening and is back to a tropical storm. Luckily, the storm will stay away from land. However, choppy waters and rough surf can be expected from the coast of Mexico up to Southern California.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-02 132115-1785698498667.png"><h1>Atlantic</h1>All remains quiet in the Atlantic for now. Saharan dust is working it's way across the ocean. As waters continue to warm into early fall, stay vigilant! The tropics can create systems quickly this time of year. WeatherNation will always keep you updated with the latest!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/xxxzzz-1785722471047.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

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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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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2083190950491480302" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2083190950491480302"></div>After an active week of storms across the northern U.S., another round of severe storms is expected in parts of the Midwest to end the week. A cold front will drop across the region, tapping into warm temperatures and abundant moisture to fuel storms.On Thursday, winds downed trees and heavy rain caused a few flash flooding issues. Gusts topped 80 mph in the strongest storms!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1785464306636.png"><h1>Severe Weather Outlooks</h1>Tonight, a severe weather risk remains across parts of Missouri and Mississippi River Valley. However, the severe threat has looked minimal so far but don't let your guard down tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1785548118325.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1785548138252.png"><h1>Forecast</h1>For the overnight, the highest severe threat will be across SE Missouri, Western Kentucky, and Southern Illinois. Storms should start to weaken after midnight across the Ohio Valley. People attending Lollapalooza in Chicago should stay aware of the weather and have a place to shelter in mind. North of the center of low pressure, moisture will continue to wrap counter-clockwise into Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/BARON 5-1785548313154.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy downpours also posing a threat for flash flooding. Rainfall totals could surpass 2-4 inches in some areas. Get the latest forecast for the Central Region on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in to our feed at :30 past the hour!

Flooding, Severe Storms Target the Midwest Again

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Tuesday, heavy rainfall moved across the Northeast in association with an upper-level low. Totals exceeded 6-7 inches for portions of New York and New Jersey.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 081020-1785334228344.png"> An Excessive Rainfall Outlook remains through today as more storms are expected throughout this region. The Weather Prediction Center has placed portions of the New England area, under a MODERATE (level 3 out of 4) risk for flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/overnighsssss-1785371222121.png">Rainfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour, allowing several inches of rain to fall in a short amount of time. This could quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to dangerous flash flooding. Come Thursday, the flash flooding threat is expected to fall off. A MARGINAL (level 1 out of 4) risk remains in place, however. Cities like Boston will be under that threat for flash flooding for two days in a row.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 040556-1785319565288.png"> Rainfall totals through Thursday morning could exceed an additional 5 inches across parts of western Massachusetts. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 163039-1785364260721.png">For the latest forecast and updates, be sure to join us on WeatherNation.

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

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UPPER MIDWEST - Through Monday, dangerous tornadoes were confirmed across the state of Wisconsin. The threat for severe storms will follow a frontal boundary across the Great Lakes and Midwest through tonight due to strong upper-level winds and a very moist and unstable low-level air mass moving through. The tornado out of Menasha, WI has been labeled as a preliminary EF-3 by the National Weather Service. Peak winds were estimated to be 140 mph.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2081823772555001897" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2081823772555001897"></div>This same front pushed storms east on Tuesday, leading to heavy rain and severe weather across the Eastern U.S. Some hail reports out of MD, VA, and NC reached 2" in diameter.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 082241-1785335005411.png">For Wednesday, the southern U.S. will see the risk for severe weather. The same front has prompted a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather around the Deep South. This is predominantly going to be a wind threat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 163145-1785364321180.png">The front is expected to stall out across the region. This will give us multiple days of storms that could potentially become severe. Another MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk remains in the same region come Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 163151-1785364327620.png">There will be isolated pockets of heavy rain and potential for flooding. Some isolated rainfall totals could reach close to 4-5".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-29 082618-1785335185632.png">For a more detailed breakdown, tune in to WeatherNation at :10 past the hour for your full eastern U.S. forecast!

Severe Weather: Energy From the Midwest Now in the Southeast

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A frontal system has brought Pacific moisture across the Northwest over the last day. Totals in a 24 hour period were over a foot in some locations.A few areas in the northwest, mostly inland, will remain under winter alerts through Wednesday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1676416034433.JPG">The snowfall will diminish through tonight but we will be watching another system working in by Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/0214235-1676416163040.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The heaviest of the additional accumulation through Wednesday night will be for Idaho, Southern Montana, and Wyoming.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/nw acc-1676416191114.JPG">For more on your Western Regional Forecast, join us on WeatherNation at :50 past the hour.

Snowfall Winding Down in the Northwest

Spokane Complex Continues to Burn

SPOKANE, WA - On Saturday, August 1st, the Ol

More Storms for the East Through Monday

A low-pressure system that moved through the

Western U.S. Under More Heat Alerts

A large area of high pressure continues to br

After Reaching Category 5, Genevieve Weakens in the Pacific

PacificGenevieve formed last Friday south of

Flooding, Severe Storms Target the Midwest Again

After an active week of storms across the nor

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

Tuesday, heavy rainfall moved across the Nort

Severe Weather: Energy From the Midwest Now in the Southeast

UPPER MIDWEST - Through Monday, dangerous tor