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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As <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Severe-Storms-Return-Sunday-Monday">severe storms are marching from the central U.S. to east Coast</a>, intense wind and extremely heavy snowfall are charging through the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. On Sunday, blizzard conditions halted traffic in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2033160449479557502" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2033160449479557502?s=20"></div>Blizzard Warnings are still in effect for portions of Michigan. As a reminder, a blizzard is primarily about wind! Strong winds will create low visibility as snow blows around. Very difficult travel, if not impossible travel, can be expected in these areas over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/through tue am-1773699841853.png">Snowfall totals across the Great Lakes have reached up to three feet!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/great lakes snow-1773700082803.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2033530667309597069" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2033530667309597069"></div><h1>TONIGHT </h1>Even as new snow winds down, blowing and drifting snow will remain an issue. So watch out for slick spots on the roads and pockets of limited visibility into Tuesday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/blsaa-1773706575366.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Parts of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan still have the potential for significant totals. Lake effect snow will stick around into Tuesday, adding an additional 6-12".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/tue additional snowwwww-1773700237673.png">Arctic air will be dragged south behind this storm system with wind chills well below zero for many areas by into Tuesday! Bundle up and make sure your skin is covered to prevent frostbite. Be sure to check back for updates as we fine-tune this forecast!

Jackie Brown

Blizzard Conditions, Heavy Snow Slamming the Midwest

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Kevin Schneider

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A heatwave is coming to the West. A surge of unusually warm air is spreading across large parts of the United States, bringing temperatures that feel more like late spring than early March. Temperatures will be in the 90s and 100s at times during the next seven days. Daily and all-time March records will be challenged.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-16 112335-1773681849030.png">Afternoon highs in several locations are expected to climb into the 90s and even 100s, shattering daily temperature records and creating a dramatic contrast from the colder conditions that typically dominate early March. In some areas, temperatures are running 20 to 30 degrees above seasonal averages, leaving residents reaching for short sleeves rather than winter coats.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-16 103951-1773679206691.png">Heat alerts are in effect next week across portions of California and Arizona. Now is the time to get mentally ready for the upcoming heatwave, where records will be challenged. Los Angeles is under an Extreme Heat Warning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-16 133528-1773690369240.png">Los Angeles reached record levels on Friday and has more record potential on the way for next week for sure. The record high for Downtown Los Angeles is 99 degrees. The forecast calls for highs near 100 degrees. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773455828667.png">The warmth will likely persist for several days across many areas before temperatures gradually trend closer to seasonal averages as the pattern shifts again.&nbsp;The Climate Prediction Center has a high confidence that temperatures will stay above normal through the end of March.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-16 112445-1773681900946.png">More on your Western Regional Forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Record Smashing Heat Builds Out West

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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.

Patrick Crawford

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Numerous fires have broken out over the last few days, including massive fires in the state of Nebraska. The fire danger will build south as colder air begins to move in behind a sharp cold front. Red Flag Warnings have been issued across New Mexico, the Southern Plains, and down to the Gulf through Monday.The largest fire that broke out in Nebraska has been named the Morrill - Cottonwood Fire, burning over 694k acres, making it the largest wildfire in state history. It began on Thursday afternoon due to an electrical fire caused by high winds. Unfortunately, 1 person lost their life trying to flee.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-16 112746-1773682091383.png"><h1>Fire Weather Alerts</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web-1773656741187.png"><h1>Fire Outlook</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web1-1773656767163.png">It is always important to know how to prevent fires, so here are some tips.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/pic4-1773244322444.png">

Alana Cameron

Nebraska Records Biggest Fire Ever as Red Flag Warnings 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 Credit: National Parks Service<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V6xqwukzO0" start="0"></iframe></div>Spring is fast approaching, and so are the blooms of flowers all across North America. This includes the famous cherry tree bloom around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080027-1772810872599.png">On Thursday, March 5th, the National Park Service announced its projected peak cherry blossom date for 2026. The peak is expected around late March into early April (between the 31st and 2nd). Still, the forecast for the peak is generally difficult to make beyond ten days, as blossoms will be impacted by weather conditions. Check back in for updates!<h2>What is "peak bloom"?</h2>The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open, one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/types-of-trees.htm">many types of cherry trees</a> in the area. Peak bloom usually lasts for several days, with the blooms taking <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm">about two to three weeks to reach peak</a> after the appearance of green buds. As buds begin to appear, the forecast peak date will be updated by National Park Service horticulturists.<h2>Past Blooms</h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-06 080035-1772811048593.png"> Due to variable weather conditions, peak bloom has occurred as early as March 15th (1990) and as late as April 18th (1958).Visiting the blossoming cherry trees has become a favorite springtime tradition for Americans and tourists alike, dating back to 1912 when Japan gifted the U.S. about 3,000 cherry trees. The cherry trees in Japan have been putting on a show for thousands of years, with the dates of blooms being <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/date-of-the-peak-cherry-tree-blossom-in-kyoto">recorded all the way back to the 9th century</a>. The dates for this year's peak blooms in Japan are expected from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.japan-guide.com/sakura/">late March through late April</a> from north to south across the nation.

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Severe storms have finally moves offshore after multiple days of severe weather that lasted from Tuesday into Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 174429-1773359087251.png">Things are finally quieting down from this multi-day severe weather outbreak, but not before 200+ severe wind reports, 150+ hail reports, and 30+ tornado <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/260310_rpts.html">reports to the Storm Prediction Center</a>.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 174440-1773359116917.png">Tuesday, March 10, will go down as record-breaking for at least one state in the Midwest. After the Storm Prediction Center upgraded parts of Illinois and Indiana to a Moderate (Level 4/5) Risk, destructive severe storms ripped through the heart of the country. A large supercell on the ground for up to 45 minutes produced a large and dangerous tornado in the town of Kankakee, IL. The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued preliminary damage assessments rating this tornado as an EF-3 with max winds of 150mph. Our field crews were on the ground to capture it as it happened and to speak with the families impacted.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031867768505598421" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031867768505598421"></div>First responders worked tirelessly, picking up debris and searching for survivors in the aftermath. Loads of footage came out of this tornado, much of which was heartbreaking to see.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031730530631434633" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031730530631434633?s=20"></div><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-12 073153-1773322362766.png">A highly unstable atmosphere led to strong updrafts, resulting in large hail during severe storms. Hailstones the size of softballs and larger were reported in Texas and Illinois.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 082436-1773239081623.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/AAA_WEB5-1773228556681.png">A hailstone from the Kankakee, IL supercell looks likely to be a state record, and could challenge national records for biggest hail. The photo posted by a Kankakee resident looks to be upwards of 7-8 inches in diameter! The stone will have to be examined to determine if it breaks the record set by hail from Vivian, South Dakota, in 2010 that measured 8 inches.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-11 115507-1773251922303.png"><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2031525994843214069" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2031525994843214069"></div>

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

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On the heels of an active opening week to Meteorological Spring, another threat of severe weather will be in the cards yet again for Wednesday. With plenty of unstable air to tap into, as this system chugs East, the threat for severe weather persists. The Storm Prediction center has issued a SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe weather from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast.Hail is another big concern. More widespread, 1" in diameter hail is possible, but many locations could also encounter 2" in diameter hailstones Tuesday. Some portions of Texas and Illinois have already seen hailstones over 3.5", which is in between the size of a softball and teacup.RELATED ARTICLE: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/destructive-tornadoes-hail-rip-through-central-us">Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.</a>A SLIGHT (level 2 out of 5) risk remains in place following the cold front through tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282080141.png">During the overnight, a tornado risk remains in place especially across the Gulf Coast. Have a few ways to receive alerts to wake you up if warnings are issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282254705.png">The threat for severe weather continues Thursday morning as the squall line moves through the Carolinas and Georgia. The biggest threat will be damaging winds.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/1-1773282360616.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/New Baron Video 3-1773282503903.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Tune in to WeatherNation live for the very latest.

Jesse Kelley

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

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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!

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NORTHWEST - Blizzard warnings have been issued for the mountains of the Pacific Northwest for today and tomorrow. The reason? A ridge of high pressure over the Pacific Ocean is funneling in an atmospheric river of moisture into the Pacific Northwest through tonight and tomorrow. High moisture content will lead to heavy rain and snow for these areas and winds will be very high too.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 05-42-53-1773229398869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Blizzard warnings are issued when winds are greater than 35 mph, visibility less than 1/4 of a mile, and lasting for 3 hours. Additional winter weather alerts have been added for the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/web1'-1773229475628.png">In addition to these winter weather alerts, wind alerts have been issued for the northwest for gusts up to 50-60 mph with locally higher gusts.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Web2-1773229526282.png">Let's time this out, as a warm front pushes through, moisture will pick up in the Pacific northwest saturating the soils and lashing with winds. The heaviest of the precipitation picks up on Wednesday before the frontal boundary continues to push inland into Thursday and Friday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-03-11 05-45-53-1773229585652.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Moisture content with this is extremely high, which will lead to very high snowfall totals.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-10 144721-1773175657342.png">Some of the heaviest rain is expected across portions of Oregon and southern Washington. Some totals through the end of the week will surpass 6-10 inches of rain.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot 2026-03-10 144725-1773175661483.png">For more information about this, be sure to join us at :50 past the hour during your west regional forecast.

Tracey Anthony

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

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Several inches of snow is on the way for portions of the Midwest United States Sunday. A stripe of six inches plus will be likely across a few states too.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118003" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture-3.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

This all begins early Sunday morning and by dawn, many areas will have already seen fresh snowfall accumulate on the ground.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118004" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture2-3.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

The low pressure area associated with this snowfall will trek east near Interstate 80 and whip up the wind, while bringing snowfall to the Great Lakes later in the day on Sunday.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118005" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture3-4.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

The low pressure area will depart the Great Lakes region by Sunday night, with one more stop in the Northeast for Monday morning's commute.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118006" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture4-2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Here are various city-by-city details regarding the winter storm.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118007" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture5-2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118008" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture6-2.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118009" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture7-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118010" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture8-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-118011" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2020/02/Capture10-1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

In terms of the impacts from this event, they are as follows:
<ul>
 	<li>Travel could be dangerous</li>
 	<li>Travel may be especially difficult Sunday when winds cause blowing snow</li>
 	<li>Slippery conditions will be present</li>
</ul>
If you must travel, make sure you have the following items with you in case of emergency:
<ul>
 	<li>Flashlight</li>
 	<li>Food</li>
 	<li>Water</li>
 	<li>A charged cell phone</li>
 	<li>Warm clothing</li>
</ul>
Remember, you can always get the latest road conditions for the state you are traveling in by calling 511.

The Midwest Braces For More Snow

Blizzard Conditions, Heavy Snow Slamming the Midwest

As severe storms are marching from the centra

Record Smashing Heat Builds Out West

A heatwave is coming to the West. A surge of

Nebraska Records Biggest Fire Ever as Red Flag Warnings Persist

Numerous fires have broken out over the last

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Severe storms have finally moves offshore aft

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

On the heels of an active opening week to Met

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

NORTHWEST - Blizzard warnings have been issue