Tracey Anthony

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High pressure has returned to the Southwest. Extreme Heat Warnings (in pink) have been issued for cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Yuma. Heat Advisories (in orange) have been issued across the Inland Empire of California.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-26 192300-1787793786105.png">We started the week with plenty of triple digits across the Southwest; even Los Angeles has reached 95° or warmer the last 6 days! Most of the Southwest, which is normally hot, will have many cities running above average and breaking records through Saturday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2024-06-20 201133-1787923915070.png">Until the heat breaks, as this next system approaches, winds will pick up for the coast. Red Flag Warnings in place from LA to the bay area, so the fire risk will continue for areas of the west.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-28 073027-1787923933336.png">By Sunday we will start to feel the impacts of the trough that is digging into the PNW and the cooler air associated with it. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-28 072905-1787923991514.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest.

Extreme Heat In Los Angeles and the Southwest

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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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During El Nino, temperatures across the Eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer, or above normal. For the hurricane season, this means an increase in tropical activity across the Eastern Pacific.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-26 160007-1787781615977.png">These warmer sea surface temperatures also mean an increase in shark activity for Southern California beaches. Meteorologist Taban Sharifi spoke to Dr. Christopher Lowe, professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach on how El Nino brings changes to marine life along the coast.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1FcXy4BQcgA" start="0"></iframe></div>As the waters continue to warm through the Fall, Dr. Lowe talked about the changing species that will be seen across the Southern California waters that are not typically there. This includes hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and even manta rays. This also includes white sharks. The water farther south will get too warm for the white sharks, that are normally off the Baha of California, and they will begin to push north. Dr. Lowe said, "It's going to push those juvenile white sharks that are normally in Mexico into Southern California waters." This is something they have already started to see happen during July and August of this year, and the numbers of these sharks are increasing. Dr. Lowe said the sharks could reach as far north as Santa Cruz, CA.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-26 155905-1787784580682.png">There's a sweet spot for water temperatures for these sharks that sits between 64°-72°. Above 82° is when sharks begin to move north. Currently, water temperatures in the Eastern Pacific are significantly warmer than that 82° threshold.A message to beach goers: "Believe it or not, having all those white sharks off that beach might actually keep people safer. Because they are eating sting rays, there are fewer sting rays that might hurt people," said Dr. Lowe.Watch the full interview for more on how close these sharks get to the coastline and how scientists track their behavior.

El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic on Thursday. Former Invest 96-L was able to create a clearly defined center of circulation Thursday morning with robust convection. It will likely stay around tropical storm strength for much of its life cycle, or even weaker. Though the waters of the Atlantic are warm, there is a considerable amount of shear working against Dolly's strengthening. It will likely move through the Northern Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/pic4-1787866040898.png">Puerto Rico has seen dire drought conditions and is in desperate need of rain. Hopefully, we can see some decent rainfall out of Dolly for them, without the strong, damaging winds. Still, with dry ground and hilly terrain, flash flooding will be a threat. Interests in the Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico should stay updated on the forecast in the coming days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-28 063657-1787920639757.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-28 063703-1787920652176.png">El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in the Atlantic this summer, with four named storms to date but only 12% of average cyclone energy! This doesn't mean the rest of the season will be just as quiet, however, as 66% of all hurricane activity in the Atlantic occurs between August 20th and October 10th. The climatological peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season is September 10.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 090839-1787843332378.png">

Rob Bradley

Dolly Heading Toward the Northeast Caribbean

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Thursday afternoon, two areas of investigation in the Eastern Pacific were determined strong enough and organized enough to be named. Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell are now being tracked as they slowly track west and northwest through the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/RAV_3-1787923416869.png">With unseasonably warm ocean waters in the EPAC, both of these storms will likely become hurricanes on Friday or Saturday. We'll have to watch how close they get to one another to see if they have any impact.Good news is, they are expected to stay away from land for the short term. We will keep an eye on Hawaii later next week to see if any additional rainfall heads their way.Click here for more on what is happening in the Atlantic Basin:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/atlantic-tropics-watching-several-areas-strong-tropical-wave-next-week"> Atlantic Tropics.</a>

NEW: Karina & Lowell Named in the Eastern Pacific

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Kevin Schneider

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" src="https://x.com/weathernation"></div><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2093066020558872742" src="https://x.com/weathernation/status/2093066020558872742?s=46"></div>Strong storms and flash flooding have plagued the I-95 corridor Thursday afternoon. As a front moves through, expect more storms during the evening. All modes of severe weather are possible, but damaging winds and tornadoes are the primary threat. While things are likely to lighten up a bit overnight, another area of low pressure will trace the coast Friday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 085120-1787842388650.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 085138-1787843178007.png">Isolated spin-ups can't be ruled out in the I-95 corridor. The green shaded area above shows that the tornado threat is not huge, but not zero. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/nebams-1787862736614.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>What's of some concern is the fact that rain started early and is slow to back off in the evening. And it looks like it will be coming down at a decent clip, too. Some areas could pick up more than 3-4 inches of rain, more than enough to lead to flooding by the evening commute.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-26 095257-1787759591325.jpg">We will have more updates on this risk all day on Thursday, so make sure to tune in to WeatherNation for the latest on Thursday's severe storm threat.

Front Brings Severe Weather & Flood Threat to the I-95 Corridor

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2092794227293876335" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2092794227293876335"></div>Hail was torrential along the Colorado front range on Wednesday. Thankfully the hail was small for the Denver metro but in WY hail reports came in up to 2" in diameter. The severe threat continues into the next few days as upslope flow fires up more troublesome storms.<h2>THURSDAY</h2>New development will be spread across the high country and into the plains as we run into more daytime heating and Gulf humidity. Along the Front Range, upslope flow combined with daytime heating will help storms thrive. We expect additional severe storm chances through Thursday night through the I-25 corridor in Colorado. A warm front draped across Nebraska will give us a better chance at stronger storms. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-07-07 042628-1787844505902.png">Like Wednesday, damaging hail will be a significant threat for the entire risk area. The front in Nebraska will lend itself more towards damaging winds. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 141055-1787861473544.png">This is much needed rain for Denver and Colorado, but the front range can't seem to get a break.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-07-07 043355-1787844677808.png">However, a pattern change is in the forecast.

Significant Winds and Hail Possible for the Plains

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A wildfire broke out in the Lone Star State on Monday and has quickly torched 80,000+ acres in the past 2 days. Hot weather has dried out fuels in the area, making explosive fire growth possible. Moderated temperatures and a change of wind direction should allow crews to focus on containment on the western side of the fire. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 093735-1787845069998.png">Crews in the area are prioritizing lives and structures, urging folks in Jack and Palo Pinto Counties to get out of the way of this blaze.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2092982286803177678" src="https://x.com/NWSFortWorth/status/2092982286803177678"></div>Consistent temperatures near 100 for the entire month of August have brought upon flash drought conditions in northern and central Texas. Fire weather will be at the forefront until cooler or wet weather can make a return. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 094031-1787845344031.png">However, the strong area of high pressure baking many in the south doesn't look to budge in the foreseeable future. Temperatures will remain above average, and the feels-like temperature will rise into the 100s for cities like Dallas and Houston this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-27 094142-1787845355960.png">An additional hazard in central Texas will be wildfire smoke. Poor air quality and low visibility will impact people driving and spending time outside. Residents report being able to see and smell it from Fort Worth.

Administrator

Ross Fire Burning West of Fort Worth

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<img class="alignnone wp-image-99123 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/10/nw-o.jpg" alt="Two Days, Two Tornadoes" width="1920" height="1080" />

There have been two tornadoes confirmed near Portland, OR so far this week.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1057075077152272384

According to the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/pqr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Weather Service in Portland, OR</a>, the state has an average of about 2 tornadoes per year, which they say makes this "not too unusual."

https://twitter.com/NWSPortland/status/1056995080341463040

<img class="alignnone wp-image-99124 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/10/oregon.jpg" alt="Two Days, Two Tornadoes" width="1920" height="1080" />

For WeatherNation, I'm <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>