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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TEXAS - Strong storms that produced nearly 80 mph winds in cities like Batesville, Texas rumbled through on Wednesday. The risk for severe weather continues from the Red River through the Front Range as we head into the end of the week. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 184117-1779928883491.png">Jet stream energy likely won't be high enough on Thursday for organized thunderstorms in the Southern Plains, but into Friday and Saturday that energy will increase as a trough moves across the Rockies. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-28 070943-1779975572876.png">Friday's risk (top of page) shows potential for isolated severe storms from West Texas around Oklahoma and the Red River Valley to the Arklatex. By Saturday (below), the risk gets smaller but still includes areas like Oklahoma City.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-28 070934-1779975579180.png">Scattered storms are still in the picture on Thursday but will gain extra energy by Friday afternoon to potentially create wind and hail damage. Storms should become less widespread into the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-28 07-49-48-1779976216022.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rainfall will be a concern as well, with any storms that do develop. Rainfall rates could be heavy enough for isolated flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-28 070956-1779975725550.png">Thankfully it looks like storms will mostly miss the PGA event in Fort Worth, but it will be hot!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-28 071004-1779975732441.png">For more on the Texas severe threat, tune into WeatherNation at :30 past the hour.

Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Friday & Saturday

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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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You read that right! An unusual setup could lay the foundation for strong-to-severe storms through the end of the week. All in a place that doesn't see many severe storms, the northwest. A widespreak outlook today where all modes of severe are possible, hail, wind and a tornado threat. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/web 2-1779977379618.png"><h1>SETUP</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 084246-1779892981883.png">An upper low is sitting and spinning over the Great Basin out west. That puts our friends in the northwest on the northern side of this feature. Usually, you're looking at areas on the southern and eastern peripheries with the best dynamics for storms. Regardless, a strong corridor of winds is expected to spark storms each afternoon over the next few days, even if it feels upside down to us meteorologists.<h1>IMPACTS</h1>There is a lot of wind energy with this system - it wouldn't take much of a storm to push some of those winds down to the ground. Some reports on Wednesday managed to run up to 72 mph, almost reaching that significant wind criteria of 75 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 183535-1779928589382.png"><h1>TIMING</h1>Showers will be sporadic but strengthen each afternoon. Notice they'll rotate from east to west since we're staying north of the low spinning up these severe chances.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/05-27 RNW BAMS-1779928625429.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Jackie Brown

Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

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Kevin Schneider

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Record high temperatures have been breaking since Memorial Day Weekend in the Northern Plains, with some of the hottest temperatures across the country. On Wednesday, another record was broken in this area for Baker, Montana, reaching 89°!Heat Advisories remain in effect for portions of Montana through Thursday for the dangerous heat. Afternoon highs will once again soar into the 90's<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 124939-1779907791369.png">The heat will remain into Friday, but more storm chances could throw some cloud cover into the afternoons, which might help.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 183319-1779928459791.png">Record highs in Billings will be in trouble through Friday, before relief rolls in for the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 183241-1779928464600.png">

Alana Cameron

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

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The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a SLIGHT risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms from Ohio to the northern reaches of the Tarheel State. Damaging wind gusts will be the main threat through Thursday morning, with some small hail mixed in.<h1>Timing</h1>As we head into the overnight hours, storms will fizzle out in intensity along the front as we've lost daytime heating.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/ovn-1779929090823.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Rain Totals</h1>Some areas could pick up a few inches of rain, which could lead to some localized flooding. The heaviest will likely stay down south across the Mid-Atlantic. There are flood watches in effect across the Ohio Valley through Wednesday night.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-27 114005-1779903612410.png">

Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

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Brittany Lockley

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More rounds of heavy rain are expected to move across parts of the South over the next several days, increasing the risk for flash flooding in areas that have already seen significant rainfall. The wet weather pattern is expected to linger into the weekend as moisture from the Gulf continues fueling repeated thunderstorms across the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 162459-1779834354220.png">Flood concerns remain high in parts of the south where the ground is already saturated from recent storms. Some areas have dealt with flooded roads, high water rescues, and strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail. With additional rain in the forecast, it will not take much to trigger more flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas.&nbsp;<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2058956263711805777" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2058956263711805777"></div>The flood threat is expected to stretch from eastern Texas into Louisiana, Mississippi, and portions of the Southeast. Several inches of rain could fall in some locations as storms repeatedly move over the same areas. Coastal communities along the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast could also experience periods of torrential rainfall.&nbsp;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 causing flash flooding, it is beneficial in many areas, as drought conditions are widespread and severe in many of these locations. The persistent storm pattern is being driven by a slow-moving system interacting with deep tropical moisture from the Gulf. Because the system is not moving quickly, repeated rounds of rain are possible through the coming days. Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to stay weather aware and avoid driving through flooded roadways.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot 2026-05-26 115148-1779817916121.png">

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

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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.

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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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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">

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

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We have been talking about the heavy rain impacting the West Coast and even the heavy snow chance in the High Plains, but areas that haven't been seeing precipitation over the past several months will be dealing with an increasing fire weather risk.
<h2>Drought Monitor</h2>
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Here is the latest drought monitor for the central and southwestern U.S..  You can see extreme to exceptional drought conditions over parts of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.  These are the same areas that need to be on alert for fire weather Saturday and Sunday.
<h2>Fire Weather Ingredients</h2>
All the ingredients will be there over the weekend for a dangerous fire risk.  I already mentioned the drought conditions, so we know it's very dry in these areas.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89824 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/Capture-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Temperatures will be very warm with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s over parts of New Mexico and Texas.

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The winds will be strong on Sunday as well...and these strong winds help to fuel and spread any fires that develop.

So all the weather conditions needed for a fire weather threat will be there this weekend.  Warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.  Be ready for fire weather watches and red flag warnings over a majority of the areas in extreme drought conditions for Saturday and Sunday.
<h2>Extended Outlook</h2>
Looking at the extended forecast into mid-April, there is a chance the fire weather danger will continue in these same areas.  We are expect above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over this region from April 12th -&gt; April 18th.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89826 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/Capture4-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89827 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/Capture5.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Meteorologist Patrick Crawford</a>

&nbsp;

Strong Winds and High Fire Danger for the Southern Plains This Weekend

Drought Monitor

Fire Weather Ingredients

Extended Outlook

Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Friday & Saturday

TEXAS - Strong storms that produced nearly 80

Severe Storms Possible in the Pacific Northwest

You read that right! An unusual setup could l

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

Record high temperatures have been breaking s

Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

More rounds of heavy rain are expected to mov

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTHeavy rain has already hit nume

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administ