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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<p>The upper level low train continues to keep the weather pattern active for the Midwest. Skies remain smoky and hazy on Sunday with a new round of Canadian wildfire smoke dropping southward. As the next cold front slides in, severe weather will be in the cards on Sunday and Monday. Out ahead of the front, temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s and the added moisture will make the environment ripe for severe especially on Monday! Significant winds could be the primary threat Monday night.</p><h1>Severe Outlooks</h1><h2>Sunday</h2><p>There is a <strong>Slight</strong> risk for severe weather through tonight. This includes the Dakotas and Western Minnesota. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 082719-1784471245834.png">Significant wind and hail outlooks are in place through tonight.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 082951-1784471415626.png">Monday</h2><p>The outlook is already highlighted as an <strong>Enhanced</strong> risk for severe weather for Monday. Chicago is under a <strong>Slight</strong> risk.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 064314-1784457802336.png">There are also significant wind and hail threats for Monday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 083110-1784471494704.png">In addition to the wind and hail, tornadoes will also be possible.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 083117-1784471512545.png"></p><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><p>Sunday, a few scattered severe storms will be possible across the Dakotas in the warm sector. As the sun sets, some thunderstorms will last into the overnight as the storms drop into Minnesota and Iowa. Monday will be similar to Sunday with the timing of the thunderstorms. However, more heat and stronger jet stream winds will take the severe threat up another level. Monday night, a complex of severe storms could be blasting through cities like Chicago, Davenport, Des Moines, and others with very strong winds.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-19 06-44-07-1784457869855.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>The forecast is calling for a couple of inches of rain especially where the complexes of storms develop Sunday and Monday night.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 064454-1784457913222.png">More on your Central Regional Forecast can be found :30 past the hour on WeatherNation.</p>

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

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Kevin Schneider

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<p>Another cold front is dropping east and will plow into warm and humid air. That will be the focus for severe chances Tuesday and Wednesday. This comes only a few days after storms raged through the area to kick off the weekend. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 072641-1784467632371.png">As the heat continues to build, any storms that enters will tap into that energy. All modes of severe storms look to be on the table, including a few tornadoes. Damaging winds will be the most widespread issue, however. </p><p>Timing will favor the afternoon and evening, but a few storms could maintain their severity overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. </p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-19 07-29-57-1784467832253.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>A growing concern is the amount of rainfall coming down after record amounts in the northeast. With multiple opportunities for storms, some could see too much too fast, leading to a flooding threat as well. Look at where the bull's eye is showing up on the most recent model run.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 072853-1784467905513.png">Check back with the forecast getting into the workweek, as details like timing and intensity could change. </p>

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

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<p>In the Atlantic basin, we are keeping a very close eye on the Eastern Gulf. While in the Pacific, Elida continues to churn amongst two other areas with potential to develop.</p><h1>Atlantic</h1><p>A surface low formed in the Eastern Gulf on Saturday. This area of disturbed weather now has a high chance for tropical development in the near future, as early as Sunday. No matter what happens with this energy, there will likely be heavy rain and coastal impacts to the Gulf Coast States.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 070922-1784466572657.png">There is a lot of dry air around, which should keep a pretty firm lid on what becomes of this tropical cyclone. The expectation is that whatever develops will drift westward, potentially making landfall as far west as Texas or Louisiana. A lot will depend on where the circulation fully develops, so there is considerable uncertainty. At this point anyone along the Gulf Coast should be paying attention to this system. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 071308-1784466797632.png"></p><h1>Pacific</h1><h2>ELIDA</h2><p>Elida has been doing its thing in the eastern Pacific, but is expected to start winding down over the next day or so as it enters cooler waters. The remnant moisture might make it to California late in the week, but even that might be a stretch. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 063829-1784457522042.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 063856-1784457547064.png"></p><p>There are now two areas to monitor in the Pacific Ocean, down from four earlier this week. One depression has already formed, Six-E. The other, the NHC has highlighted another region that will probably follow the same paths as Six-E and Elida, moving west northwest.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 063917-1784457573427.png"></p>

Chance of Development Increasing on Invest 91-L

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<p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 064723-1784458061933.png"></p><p>Wildfires burning in Northwestern Ontario, Canada and northern Minnesota will send rounds of dense smoke into the U.S. into the weekend. Forecast models continue to show thick, dense smoke lingering in the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic. Air quality has improved slightly compared to Thursday. Keep scrolling to see how you can stay safe!</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-19 06-47-51-1784458093633.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p><strong>The forecast shows some improvement this weekend but areas of moderate smoke will be possible across the Great Lakes Sunday and Monday. Very unhealthy to unhealthy</strong> air quality has been noted into the U.S. as upper level winds have steered this dense smoke into the U.S.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 064831-1784458125201.png"></p><p>Elevated ozone levels and smoke have prompted <strong>Air Quality</strong> alerts across the Great Lakes and the Northeast. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-19 064857-1784458147043.png"></p><h1><strong><span style="color: black">How Smoke from Wildfires Can Impact Breathing</span></strong></h1><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GIU_Kz5gPzI" start="0"></iframe></div><p>“We know that air pollution in general can really trigger a number of health issues, including simple things that we think about like asthma or COPD, but they can actually also trigger cardiovascular events. And smoke from wildfires is no exception,” said Samuel Gurevich, MD, pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic. “They actually put into the air a lot of what we call particulate matter, which are these very, very fine particles of dust and other organic matter that then can easily be breathed in and can irritate the airways or even be absorbed into the bloodstream.”</p><p>Dr. Gurevich said other groups that could be affected by the wildfire smoke include children with hard to control asthma, women who are pregnant, and people with pre-existing heart conditions.</p><p>So, what can they do to help stay safe? He recommends checking the air quality for your city before going out for the day. That information can be found online or within many weather apps. If the air quality is bad, it’s best to stay inside.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/42cqyxmedcE" start="0"></iframe></div><p>“Make sure your windows are closed and your air conditioning is on. HEPA filters do a reasonably good job, as well, if you have access to that. Those are all those things you should be prepared with. And if you do already have a diagnosis of a respiratory illness like asthma, COPD, or emphysema, have a rescue plan in place,” he said.</p><p>Dr. Gurevich said if you do have to go outside, try to make it as quick as possible. You could also wear an N95 mask. Anyone experiencing shortness of breath or worsening symptoms should seek medical attention right away.&nbsp;</p><p></p>

Adrian Hernandez

Thick Wildfire Smoke Continues to Pour Across the Great Lakes, East Coast

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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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<p>While smoke and heat have made headlines in the Midwest and Northeast this week, a cold front will usher in a big change this weekend with a chance for widespread strong and severe storms. Saturday's storms delivered in producing damaging winds, flooding rains, and a few reports of tornadoes.</p><p>For the overnight, SPC has continued a slight risk for parts of the Keystone as the cold front keeps pushing eastward into the overnight hours. The primary hazards will be gusty winds and isolated tornadoes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784425794657.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784425825735.png"></p><p></p><p>By Sunday, the risk follows the front south into Virginia and the Carolinas as the front drops into the Southeast. Damaging winds will likely be the most widespread threat once again.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784425879675.png"></p><p></p><h1>Forecast</h1><p>Tonight, the cold front will be the main culprit for additional thunderstorms. By sunrise Sunday, the thunderstorms will have weakened and fizzled out. Sunday afternoon will likely see another line of strong storms develop along the front.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/BARON 5-1784426025082.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>A slight risk of excessive rainfall is in the forecast for the overnight hours. Some spots in the Northeast have already seen a few inches and it will not take more heavy rain to see more flooding tonight. As always, if you live in a flood prone area and a flash flood warning is issued, seek higher ground!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784426133820.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784426152223.png"></p>

Severe Storms Target the Northeast Saturday

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Brittany Lockley

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<p style="text-align: start"><span style="color: inherit">The monsoon has returned to the southwestern United States. This shift in the overall weather pattern is allowing deeper moisture to move north from the Pacific and Gulf, setting the stage for a daily chance of showers and thunderstorms across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, and Nevada.</span></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2076713264898363668" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2076713264898363668"></div><p style="text-align: start"><span style="color: inherit">The North American monsoon is a seasonal wind shift that occurs each summer, transporting moisture from the eastern Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California into the Desert Southwest. As the moist air combines with intense daytime heating and mountainous terrain, thunderstorms become much more common during the afternoon and evening hours.</span></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/FORECAST-1784415308949.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p style="text-align: start"><span style="color: inherit">This surge of monsoonal moisture is expected to increase storm coverage through the coming days. While many of these storms will produce beneficial rainfall for areas experiencing drought, they will also be capable of dropping heavy rain over a short period of time. Because the Southwest’s dry soils do not absorb water efficiently, runoff can develop quickly, creating a heightened risk of flash flooding in washes, slot canyons, and other low-lying locations.</span></p><p style="text-align: start"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-18 064529-1784371545620.png"></p><p style="text-align: start"><span style="color: inherit">As the monsoon continues to strengthen through July, residents and visitors across the Southwest should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions each afternoon. Even short-lived storms can produce dangerous flash flooding, making it important to avoid flooded roadways and never enter fast-moving water.</span></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/BARON 5-1784425522678.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

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<p><strong>TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - </strong>Life-threatening flooding has been hitting portions of the Edwards Plateau and Texas Hill Country the last several days, amounting to rainfall totals around 2 feet for the region.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2077800429061320714" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2077800429061320714"></div><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784327638898.png"></p><p>The result of this flooding has caused rivers to crest at major flood stage, including the Cibolo Creek in Boerne on Wednesday, which reached a record crest at 22.63 feet. The previous highest was 19.83 feet in May 2015. <br><br>Thursday morning saw a huge jump on the Guadalupe River at Comfort, the same gauge that jumped over 30 feet in an hour on July 4th, 2025. It crested higher in 2026 than in 2025, reaching 37.08', as flash flood emergencies were issued again for Kerrville and the Guadalupe.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot 2026-07-16 114810-1784224123095.png"><br><br></p><h2>What's causing all the rain?</h2><p>A moisture-rich weather pattern has brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms over many of the same locations. The unsettled pattern has been fueled by a persistent flow of tropical moisture from the Gulf, combined with weak steering currents in the atmosphere. Because winds aloft are relatively light, thunderstorms will move slowly and may repeatedly track over the same areas. This process, <em>known as training</em>, can produce excessive rainfall totals in a short period of time and quickly overwhelm creeks, rivers, and drainage systems.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6rhkLNupAVQ" start="0"></iframe></div><h3>Who is most vulnerable?</h3><p>Some of the greatest concerns remain focused on the Texas Hill Country, where steep terrain and fast-responding waterways make the region especially susceptible to flash flooding. Even a few hours of intense rainfall can cause water levels to rise rapidly, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and residents near streams and low-water crossings. Locations that have already received recent rainfall will be more vulnerable because saturated soils have a reduced ability to absorb additional water.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;</span></p><h2>Forecast, Alerts, and Outlooks</h2><p><strong>Flood Watches</strong> will expire this evening across Texas. However, scattered storms are in the forecast for tonight and for Saturday. Thankfully, the flood risk will decrease for the weekend. However, the grounds in Texas are so saturated and it will not take much from pop shower or storm to cause some flooding issues even if it is minor. It is important to remember TURN AROUND AND DON'T DROWN.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784327892697.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784327916378.png"></p><p>As the flooding threat is ending, the heat is expected to ramp up heading into next week. Something to keep in mind as residents continue to clean up after the catastrophic flooding. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/07/1-1784328009272.png"></p><p></p><p>For more info on this forecast, you can tune into the Central Regional Forecast at :30 past the hour.</p>

Patrick Crawford

After Historic Flooding, Flood Risk Moves West Saturday

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Check out the Top 5 videos of the week with <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>

https://youtu.be/KMYkUcOnrBU

Top 5 Videos of the Week - Oct. 21-27

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper level low train continues to keep t

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another cold front is dropping east and will

Chance of Development Increasing on Invest 91-L

In the Atlantic basin, we are keeping a very

Thick Wildfire Smoke Continues to Pour Across the Great Lakes, East Coast

Wildfires burning in Northwestern Ontario, Ca

Severe Storms Target the Northeast Saturday

While smoke and heat have made headlines in t

Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

The monsoon has returned to the southwestern

After Historic Flooding, Flood Risk Moves West Saturday

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY - Life-threatening floodin