WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Severe storms erupted across the Midwest on Monday, causing damage to homes and other structures. Reports of damaging winds, large hail, and even a few tornadoes came in throughout Monday. Some of those tornadoes touched down after dark, creating truly nightmare-like scenes captured on video in Illinois.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048955551267328360" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048955551267328360"></div><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048945300266537201" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048945300266537201"></div>Storms really started to spark up into the early evening. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were firing off into the nighttime hours across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-28 04-20-09-1777371667954.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>We picked up some pretty large hailstones out of Missouri after this system pulled through. Some reports showed hailstones reaching the size of softballs!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042253-1777371968460.png">The gustiest winds reported were actually out of Illinois and Indiana. Looking back at the radar from Monday night, it's no surprise, being that we got that defined bow echo.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042302-1777372048925.png">Flooding was also a major issue across places like Kansas City. With multiple heavy rounds of rainfall, we even broke several records across major cities in the Midwest. We always tell folks to never sleep on that flooding threat!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042315-1777372120124.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042928-1777372180763.png">

Adrian Hernandez

A Look Back at Monday’s Severe Storms

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We have a rather wet pattern ahead for a lot of the Southwest going into the late week! To a lot of folks, this will be great news! The west has been begging for a good drink for a while, just look at the drought monitor!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 040131-1777370504834.png">The timing on these storms are a little funky as this cutoff low is expected to start its journey overnight Wednesday. We'll still get some showers out in Denver through your Wednesday though. Afterwards, rainfall is expected to really ramp up across New Mexico and Colorado on Thursday, which will likely be the wettest day this week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-28 04-03-46-1777370645388.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>But just how much moisture are we gonna pick up? Well the Rockies are forecast to pick up a foot of snow across most of Colorado. We can also expect about half an inch to even an inch of rain across a lot of New Mexico and Colorado for the spots at lower elevation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 040611-1777370785846.png">We just have to be careful how quickly we pick up some of this rainfall. For some really easily flooded cities like Roswell, NM, an excessive rainfall outlook has been issued for Thursday because of the heavy rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 040950-1777370999987.png">Be sure to join us at :50 past the hour on WeatherNation for your complete West Regional forecast breakdown!

Cut Off Low Brings Heavy Moisture out West

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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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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1>Severe storms popped off yesterday, and the severe threat will continue through the early week. As we look ahead, several rounds of severe storms are expected to impact the middle of the country through the early part of the week! This type of pattern can create severe fatigue, but residents need to remain vigilant for multiple days of severe storms.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048061975142322502" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048061975142322502"></div><h1>Tuesday:</h1>Severe weather threats continue into Tuesday. There is an ENHANCED (level 3 out of 5) risk in place for the Ark-La-Tex region, as well as parts of Oklahoma, Mississippi and Missouri. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 034347-1777369442254.png"> All modes of severe weather are possible; the biggest threat will likely be damaging winds and large hail.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 035341-1777370060538.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 035401-1777370060539.png">Storms are likely to form in the early afternoon. Our models are indicating heavy activity towards the Missouri - Arkansas border around this time. We can even see heavy activity towards Little Rock and even Dallas by early evening. With all modes of severe weather possible, it's important to make sure you have multiple ways to get alerts!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-28 03-48-37-1777369734716.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video> A MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk sticks around for Wednesday. Another day where damaging winds and large hail are the main threat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 035540-1777370155581.png">With several rounds of severe thunderstorms expected, heavy rain will add up over the next week. Thankfully, this will not all come at once, but isolated flash flooding will remain a possibility with each system.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 035705-1777370239770.png">

Severe Weather Sticks Around Through the Midweek

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Kevin Schneider

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WEST - Another upper-level low is set to move through the western United States to bring in a chance for rainshowers and snow for the higher elevations.Rain and high-elevation snow chances will ramp up through Wednesday, which could bring back renewed slick roadways on some mountain passes. Most of our winter weather alerts have ended for the Rockies today as we wait for our next round.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/0427 west-1777330956598.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h3><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 124601-1777315581223.png">What's Next for the West?</h3>Another upper level low pressure system is set to move in from the Pacific onshore by about midweek, increasing rain chances for the Four Corners.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 rfsw set up-1777315770759.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>On Wednesday, rain chances will increase across the Four Corners, but by Thursday, widespread rainshowers and heavy high elevation snow will take over Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 rsw we to fri-1777315803787.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>In the long term, the Weather Prediction Center keeps the 4-Corners region in the green with confidence in above-average precipitation heading into May.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 035703-1777283836422.png">

Jackie Brown

West Staying Active this Week

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Rounds of rain are set to return to the Southeast through the end of April, offering some much-needed moisture to a region that has been dealing with unusually dry conditions. While several systems are expected to bring periods of steady rain and thunderstorms, the rainfall will likely fall short of fully reversing the ongoing drought. Many areas across the region have recorded well below-average precipitation in recent weeks, leaving soils parched and waterways running low.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-25 080049-1777125658800.png">Even with pockets of heavier rain, totals will be inconsistent, meaning not all drought-stricken locations will benefit equally. Some communities could see meaningful improvement, but others may miss out on the heaviest downpours altogether. This uneven distribution limits the overall impact and slows any long-term recovery.&nbsp;The heaviest of the rainfall over the next few days looks to be across Mississippi and Alabama. However, it might not get all of us - the latest models are avoiding northern Florida/southern Georgia, where we desperately need it.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 171323-1777331612615.png">The continued dryness has also heightened wildfire concerns across parts of the Southeast. There are still several fires burning between Georgia and Florida that are spreading smoke across the Southeast. If you have upper respiratory issues, limit the time spent outdoors. The air quality near these fires could be significantly impacted.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 035139-1777283545897.png">More details on your Eastern Regional Forecast can be found :10 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

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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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Top Image: Brett Adair<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikRBAKESm0k" start="0"></iframe></div>Several strong tornadoes tore across portions of the Great Plains and Midwest on Thursday, causing damage, notably in the town of Enid, Oklahoma. WeatherNation field correspondent Brett Adair captured a different tornado near Braman, Oklahoma (below). In contrast, correspondents Brandon Clement and Jonathan Petramala caught the Enid tornado during and after its tear through town.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047770214519992738" src="https://x.com/NWSNorman/status/2047770214519992738"></div><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047512666902823257" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047512666902823257"></div>Jonathan provided an update late Thursday as emergency crews were combing through collapsed buildings in Enid. Thankfully, the Sheriff's office has reported only minor injuries so far.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047616538031604204" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047616538031604204"></div>Tornado warnings were issued across six different states on Thursday, with about 21 reports of tornadoes coming in. Some of those reports will be from the same tornado, so we'll have to wait for damage surveys to confirm numbers and intensity (EF) ratings.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071558-1777036595398.png">Aside from the tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms were numerous on Friday! Storms produced hurricane-force wind gusts and hail up to the size of softballs!<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071653-1777036618310.png">Radar Review</h1>The Braman and Enid tornadoes formed from supercell thunderstorms, each producing a classic "hook echo" while the tornadoes were mature. The storms eventually congealed into a line that produced additional severe weather and heavy rain, leading to flash flood warnings.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-30-40-1777044754991.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Farther north, tornado warnings started earlier in the day for areas around the I-29 corridor, with a picturesque tornado captured near Little Sioux, IA (video below the radar loop). Additional severe storms, including confirmed tornadoes, formed through the afternoon and into the evening. You can see the squall line with a tornado-warned storm move through the Kansas City area in the evening. This occurred while the Chiefs were making their selection in the NFL draft, forcing some personnel around the building to huddle near the draft room, which is in the middle of the building (a safer location to shelter from a tornado).<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-31-58-1777044771886.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047473094671888669" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047473094671888669"></div>This story will be updated with tornado damage surveys as they come in. Check back for updates!

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

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Tracey Anthony

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Flooding continues to be a serious threat across the Great Lakes region, with alerts remaining in effect, particularly along creeks, streams, and rivers. Heavy rain and severe storms arrived on top of spring snowmelt, making the typical &amp; gradual snowmelt a thing of the past.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2046952167316054057" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2046952167316054057"></div>A big part of this flood setup can be traced to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where a very snowy winter left a large amount of water locked into the snowpack.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/WEB 1-1777036607177.png">At the same time, Milwaukee had already set a new April precipitation record by April 16, surpassing the old record of 7.38 inches from 2013! &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1777122762558.png">More rain arriving by Sunday will be an insult to injury for these already swollen rivers, creeks, and streams.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-26 063707-1777199846282.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-26 063736-1777199867782.png">For more on your central regional forecast, tune into WeatherNation :30 past the hour.

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

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Check out our Top 5 videos of the week...with a bonus 6th video as we are very thankful for all you share with us each week!

https://youtu.be/uG2XtyftTA0

For WeatherNation, I'm <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>

Thanksgiving Week Top 5

A Look Back at Monday’s Severe Storms

Severe storms erupted across the Midwest on M

Cut Off Low Brings Heavy Moisture out West

We have a rather wet pattern ahead for a lot

Severe Weather Sticks Around Through the Midweek

WHAT TO EXPECTSevere storms popped off yester

West Staying Active this Week

WEST - Another upper-level low is set to move

Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

Rounds of rain are set to return to the South

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

Top Image: Brett AdairSeveral strong tornadoe

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Flooding continues to be a serious threat acr