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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CENTRAL U.S - A trough that came in from the Pacific, moved over the Rockies, and is now in the Plains has been responsible for severe storms across the High Plains all week. It's now pushing into the Midwest and Southern Plains, ushering a slow-moving cold front through the area.Related: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/north-dakota-breaks-yearly-tornado-record">Dakota Tornado Record Falls Over the Weekend</a>The front is moving southward, bringing the threat of more hailstones and damaging winds. A level two risk (SLIGHT) is in effect for Thursday from Iowa to the Panhandle of Texas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-18 111638-1758215807511.png">Storms are expected to continue for most of Thursday along the frontal boundary, with more intense storms in the afternoon as daytime heating provides additional energy and lift. Scattered storms will continue along the front overnight into Friday, with a few more heavy downpours expected Friday afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/FORECAST-1758227569201.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall rates could surpass 1-2" per hour in these slow moving thunderstorms, resulting in pockets of 2-4 inches of accumulation. This could lead to isolated flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-17 192042-1758158454292.png">The WPC has issued excessive rainfall outlooks for this isolated flood chance for Thursday and Friday, between west Texas and northern Mississippi.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-18 053746-1758195612299.png">Always use caution with flood waters, as you never know how deep the water is. Turn Around, Don't Drown.

Patrick Crawford

Storms Slide Down the Plains

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We are now a week after the climatological peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season. Conditions are slowly becoming more active in the Atlantic as Gabrielle is churning in the Central Atlantic while another tropical wave is expected to emerge from western Africa this weekend.<h1>Gabrielle</h1>Tropical Storm Gabrielle is in the Central Atlantic and is expected to strengthen in the coming days as turns northeast this weekend, likely to pass Bermuda to the east. People with interests in Bermuda should monitor this storm, as direct and indirect impacts are still possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/1-1758226170681.png">On Wednesday, the NHC was highlighting two tropical waves emerging from Africa, but one of those waves is not likely to develop so that area has been removed. The remaining region highlights the potential development for a wave expected to move off the coast of Africa this weekend. Conditions will be hostile for this tropical wave for some time as Saharan Dust (dry air) is expected to continue to surge in this area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/1png-1758226018580.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/New Baron Video 3-1758140698761.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Do not let your guard down! September is historically the peak of hurricane season, and ocean conditions remain favorable for additional development. However, the NHC urges residents along the Atlantic basin to monitor updates closely.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W2bhqfX0B0A" start="0"></iframe></div>What is slightly concerning are the water temperatures in the Gulf. Right now, they are 1°C warmer than they usually are for this time of the year. That being said, it's been tough to get anything over those warm waters so far this season-let's hope that continues.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-13 051452-1757762098585.jpg">As always, preparedness is key. Whether or not this particular system develops into a named storm, it serves as a reminder that the Atlantic remains active and that the window for tropical threats is far from closed. Tune into WeatherNation TV for the latest updates.

Gabrielle Churns in the Atlantic, Another Tropical Wave Emerges

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Adrian Hernandez

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Out in the Eastern Pacific, a broad area of low pressure is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms. The NHC has good confidence in the development of a tropical depression in the next day or two. The next name up on the Pacific hurricane season names list is Narda.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Web1-1758204031586.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Web2-1758206462535.png">Regardless of its likely development, this new system is trending into cooler waters regardless. It's north-westward trajectory will potentially stunt any further development beyond a tropical depression/storm.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Web1-1758205752813.png">However, forecast models are rather sporadic in the direction this system goes. Some send it meandering out to sea, while a few take it further north. A similar track we've seen this Pacific hurricane season with hurricane Lorena and more recently, tropical storm Mario, where residual moisture after these storms dissipated tracked tropical moisture into the southern U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Web1-1758206076086.png">Now, this isn't calls to press the proverbial red "panic" button. Regardless if moisture makes it's way to the U.S., any tropical depression or storm will have been dissipated long before. It'll simply be something we'll watch closely into the weekend. Reminder that we're getting over the final little peak of the Pacific hurricane season. It's important to continue to stay updated all the way throughout!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Web1-1758206389816.png">Stay tuned on WeatherNation for all the latest updates on this new invest.

More Activity Churning in the Eastern Pacific

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<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-18 112134-1758216102850.png">Though Eastern Pacific tropical system Mario dissipated, it's remnant moisture is bringing flood chances to California. Consistent rainfall is moving south to north in the southwest U.S. for the end of the week. Southern California will begin drying out Thursday evening as more moisture spreads into Northern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/FORECAST-1758227369832.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The rain will be a welcome sight for many in California. Downtown LA hadn't seen rain since the beginning of JUNE! The final count of 105 days isn't close to their longest streak ever, but that's not a bad thing.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-18 112305-1758216194410.png">For many we can see up to an additional inch of rain. However cities in the mountains around the Sierra Nevada and outside of Las Vegas could see heavier totals near three inches. So watch out for flooding in some spots!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/1-1758225703527.png">The tropical nature of the rainfall is likely to lead to some flooding. The southern Central Valley out to the Colorado River, including much of southern California, is included in a Slight Risk (Level 2) Excessive Rainfall Outlook on Thursday, while the higher threat shifts north to the Sierra on Friday. Areas that have seen wildfire activity in recent years or this year will have a higher flood risk.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/1-1758225861716.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/2-1758225882229.png">

Mario Sends Tropical Moisture to California, Flooding Possible

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Kevin Schneider

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The dry time has been a little hard to enjoy the last week or two in South Florida. While this is the rainy season, and we're making up for a slow start to it, you can still roll your eyes at what the extended forecasts have looked like recently. In fact, some spots in South Florida have already had their wettest start to September, including Miami.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-16 163631-1758062210080.png">On the other end of the spectrum, some northern Florida spots have really missed out, making it the driest start to September in areas such as Gainesville and Tallahassee.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-16 163641-1758062216443.png">So why? Just because Florida likes to have the most fun? Well, actually, a frontal boundary keeps these storms coming for days. While we've had a couple of days of relief, more moisture is in the forecast for South Florida.That, along with a TON of moisture to work with, is attempting to catch up some drought-stricken areas of the Sunshine State. The Drought Monitor updated on Thursday and had some pretty sizeable improvements in South Florida.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-18 10-51-54-1758207184122.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>So while it might be easy to complain about beach plans constantly getting ruined, it has its benefits. Our biggest concern is the lightning threat associated with any Florida thunderstorm, but especially this time of year, with people outdoors. Anytime it rains this heavily, of course, the flash flooding threat will be there as well. Some areas could receive another 3-5 inches, or even more, before the rain chances start to back off next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/web4-1758207272039.png">

Florida Rainfall: Nuisance or Beneficial?

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Grab the pumpkin spice and apple cider donuts, fall foliage has started to grace some areas across the United States, with more developing this week! The latest forecast from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map">Explore Fall</a> (top of page) shows peak color emerging across the higher elevations of the Colorado Rockies, and the Beartooth and Wind River Ranges in Wyoming over the next seven days (September 15th - 21st). <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-17 190824-1758158004265.png">Color has already been showing some for areas in the map above (yellow and orange areas), mostly in the Rockies and Cascades. In fact, we've seen the Bigtooth Maples change quite a bit in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City!<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1964055938010067402" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1964055938010067402"></div>The most 30 days before the appearance of fall color are the most important for vibrancy during the peak season, but drought conditions can also lead to more muted color or variable conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-08 105237-1757350392233.png">For great fall color, sunny days with cool, crisp nights are preferable. Though rain is welcome at times to keep the trees from drying out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-08 105303-1757350398827.png">

Fall Color Starting To Show in Parts of the Lower 48

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Did you see them? Many might have had better things to do this weekend but if you were paying attention to Space Weather, you got a treat! NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center upped the expectation late last night, with some dazzling results.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1967422118729273403" src="https://x.com/NWSSWPC/status/1967422118729273403"></div>The problem for many in the plains was cloud-cover, with evening storms making it difficult to see the lights behind the lightning, but some were lucky to sneak between the clouds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-15 092335-1757950156965.png">Granted, it might have been difficult to see with the naked eye. Many of the photos we've seen have mentioned a long exposure that was needed to see the fun. Either way, it's gorgeous if you can figure it out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-15 092324-1757950271340.png">While it wasn't the most robust solar storm we've seen in the past 2 years, it was well worth it for some! We're not expecting another show, however.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot 2025-09-15 134825-1757965711698.png">

Jackie Brown

Northern Lights Close Out the Weekend For Many

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Patrick Crawford has always been a huge weather buff! He grew up in Plano, Texas, and it was there that he experienced what Mother Nature was capable of doing. He would always turn on the television to see what local meteorologists were saying about the weather. That's when he realized he wanted to be a meteorologist.

Patrick graduated from Northern Illinois University (’04) with a degree in Meteorology and a double minor in Mathematics and Geography. Broadcast Meteorology has been great to him and he has been able to work in television markets all across the country. Some of his stops have included New Orleans, Green Bay and even Yuma, Arizona. He is so excited to be part of the WeatherNation team.

He has been awarded the prestigious CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) weather seal from the American Meteorological Society.

Feel free to catch up with Patrick Crawford on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://twitter.com/MeteorologistPC">Twitter</a> pages.

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Increasing severe storms are in the forecast across the central Plains today.  Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats with any storms that try to turn severe.  Today's storms will be driven by the heating of the day. Here is the very latest on today's severe risk.
<h1>Severe Outlook</h1>
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Severe storms will be possible from southern Montana to southern New Mexico with a stronger risk in Colorado and Nebraska.
<h1>Severe Risks</h1>
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Damaging winds and hail will be the main threats, but a small area of Nebraska and Wyoming will have a chance for an isolated tornado.
<h1>Forecast</h1>
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<img class="alignnone wp-image-125225 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/07/denver-high-6.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

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Storms today will need some help from the strong sunshine to build.  During today's peak heating hours is when the risk of severe storms will be increasing. Keep checking with WeatherNation for more updates.

Sunday Severe Risk in the Forecast for the Central Plains

Severe Outlook

Severe Risks

Forecast

Storms Slide Down the Plains

CENTRAL U.S - A trough that came in from the

Gabrielle Churns in the Atlantic, Another Tropical Wave Emerges

We are now a week after the climatological pe

More Activity Churning in the Eastern Pacific

Out in the Eastern Pacific, a broad area of l

Mario Sends Tropical Moisture to California, Flooding Possible

Though Eastern Pacific tropical system Mario

Florida Rainfall: Nuisance or Beneficial?

The dry time has been a little hard to enjoy

Fall Color Starting To Show in Parts of the Lower 48

Grab the pumpkin spice and apple cider donuts

Northern Lights Close Out the Weekend For Many

Did you see them? Many might have had better