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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Photo: Iron Fire getting doused with a retardant drop. USFS <div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2070303528321737022" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2070303528321737022"></div>UTAH - Numerous wildfires continue to burn across Utah, scorching tens of thousands of acres across the state.One of the most significant fires is the Cottonwood Fire, which began on June 22, 2026, and has experienced rapid growth fueled by dry vegetation, gusty winds, and ongoing drought conditions. The fire more than doubled in size on Wednesday, growing from approximately 30,000 acres to more than 93,000 acres. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/fishlake/alerts/cottonwood-fire-closure-order">Fishlake National Forest</a>, the fire has prompted mandatory evacuation orders across portions of the region.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 194248-1782697381866.png">These fires are also sending smoke and hazardous air quality into Colorado. Air quality alerts are in effect across a large portion of the state, including Denver.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 194352-1782697456129.png"><h1>Fire Outlooks</h1>A strong trough is increasing winds, leading to critical and extreme fire weather conditions. Through tonight, the risk remains extreme across the Four Corners, especially where numerous fires including the Snyder Fire, the Ferris Fire and the Horse Head Fire. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 121715-1782670642928.png">Elevated risks for fire danger remain in effect through Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 194458-1782697520755.png">Winds are expected to be strong and sustained at 20-30 mph for some areas, with very low humidity. That could mean ongoing fires could become erratic and unpredictable.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043144-1782556311355.png">Residents are encouraged to stay informed, follow local evacuation orders, and do their part to help prevent the start and spread of wildfires this summer.

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues

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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!

Alana Cameron

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A significant early-summer trough is digging across the western half of the country. Much cooler temperatures across the Northwest, along with increasing severe weather chances across the Great Plains, are expected this weekend.Models continue to indicate the potential for significant snow accumulations, particularly across the Bitterroots and Sawtooth Ranges.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 191323-1782695612857.png">Our forecast maintains high elevation snow being on the heavy side from time to time. Winter weather alerts remain in place through Monday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 122352-1782671451326.png"><h2>Severe Side</h2>As this upper-level low-pressure system pushes east, this cooler air mass is meeting a warmer air mass, raising severe weather concerns. Currently, overnight and Monday the risk is at a level 2 (SLIGHT) risk for severe storms across the High Plains and Northern Plains. Most of our overnight storms are likely to impact North and South Dakota.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 191153-1782695823872.png">On Monday, as this front moves east, the risk for severe weather does too, the highest risk for severe weather is in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 191158-1782695858329.png">The timing of our storms overnight will follow the surface low north into the Canadian Prairies. Monday morning, hail producing storms are likely across the Dakotas. Monday afternoon, there's the potential for supercells that could bring tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. By the evening, storms are likely to organize into a line increasing the threat for widespread damaging winds into portions of the Middle Missouri Valley and up into Minnesota.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/rnc bams3k-1782696140925.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The threat for severe weather continues along this frontal boundary through Tuesday with a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms from Colorado through Michigan.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 191203-1782696199591.png">

Northwestern Trough: From Snow to Severe

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Kevin Schneider

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The hottest temperatures of the year are looming later this week. An area of high pressure is loitering over Texas, but it will be on the move. And looks like it will get stronger. That means intense heat will build for many areas east of the Rocky Mountains later this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043604-1782556571201.png">Temperatures in the afternoons will soar through the 90's, with many threatening the century mark for the first time this year. We'll feel it first building into the Midwest, where ample humidity will make it feel even worse. Heat alerts have been issued for parts of the Central United States, and more alerts will be added over the next few days. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 190956-1782695402916.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 164444-1782686781139.png">Our high will then take aim at the northeast. By Wednesday and Thursday, highs will be in record territory. Ahead of this heat wave, it will still be above average, prolonging the exposure to the warm temperatures.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 191044-1782695454890.png">Heat index values are likely to reach the triple digits by Thursday across New England and the Atlantic Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 164454-1782686799871.png">Heat waves become deadly when they are extended in duration, and complicated by overnight lows struggling to cool off enough. Be sure to mix in plenty of water, even with a holiday weekend coming up. Know the signs to look out for in friends and family.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 043943-1782556806519.png">

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

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Early in the season, we watch closer to the coasts here at home for development in the Hurricane Season. Until the waves coming off the coast of Africa start to fly and quit losing the battle to Saharan Dust, old fronts are the leading source of development.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-28 190629-1782695322524.png">The frontal boundary that is slowly taking it's time to move through the southeast will eventually exit offshore early next week. Some models handle the process differently, but the one that leans more toward development is the European model. Here, it forms an area of low pressure around Monday and lingers offshore through the middle of the week. A longer time over water will give it a better chance to develop tropical characteristics.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063519-1782563830977.jpg">Other models move whatever develops over the water back on land prior to anything becoming tropical. IF something were to be named, Bertha is the next name up on the list.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 063531-1782563982336.jpg">

Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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As Summer settles in across the Central U.S., MCSs, also known as Mesoscale Convective Systems, become more prevalent. These large clusters of thunderstorms can organize and persist for hours, travel hundreds of miles, and produce all modes of severe weather. The weather pattern over the next few days will favor repeated rounds of these storm complexes across the Plains &amp; Midwest.Strong and severe thunderstorms remain possible in the Mid South over the next few days as storms ride a ridge of high pressure. This will target the same areas through the end of the week to see severe weather. <h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/what-is-an-mcs">WHAT IS AN MCS: READ MORE HERE</a></h4><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782612588554.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the overnight, a few storms could still be severe across parts of the Ohio Valley before being steering into the Carolinas for Sunday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-27 133648-1782589019330.png">These storms will dump rain on the same areas, increasing the risk of flooding in some of the same spots that already flooded earlier this week. For more on the flooding risk, read this <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/severe-weather-returns-this-weekend">related article</a> on the flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782612765591.png">

Jesse Kelley

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

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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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Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's just how this spring has gone in the Midwest. A low pressure system brought numerous severe storms to the Midwest on Wednesday, including large hail and flooding in Wisconsin, with strong winds, a tornado, and flooding in Illinois.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2070122338226749842" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2070122338226749842"></div><h1>Forecast</h1>The low pressure system that spawned Wednesday's storms is now moving east into New England bringing severe weather chances for Friday. A new low forms along the same front to also produce a severe risk across the Ohio River Friday. This is primarily for the threat of damaging winds but an isolated tornado or two will be possible (top of page).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440323140.png">The stalled boundary will the focal point for storms on Friday. The first low moving across the Northeast will produce severe storms across parts of New England. Secondly, as the new coming out of Missouri will produce severe weather for Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Kentucky during the afternoon and evening hours. All modes will be possible. The front slides into the Carolinas bringing the Carolinas at play for severe weather on Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/BARON 5-1782440710501.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As a trailing low moves in on Saturday, a few more severe storms will be possible as the low tracks into the Southeast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/pic5-1782421830617.png">Heavy rainfall will accompany strong storms, leading to isolated flood potential. The higher chance for flooding will stick to areas along and west of the Appalachians, through the Ohio River, and up to I-70.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/1-1782440751771.png">You Eastern Regional Forecast can be viewed on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app, or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

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Tracey Anthony

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2069873194111062392" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2069873194111062392"></div>New rounds of rainfall are expected to continue to move in from the High Plains and down to the South over the next few days. With additional rain across saturated soils, the WPC has issued Excessive Rainfall Outlooks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061107-1782396238753.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-03-29 061131-1782396247909.png">While severe weather will be a concern, heavy rainfall may become the more widespread threat. Abundant atmospheric moisture will allow storms to produce intense downpours, and some areas could see rainfall rates of more than an inch per hour. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms moving over the same locations may quickly overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flash flooding.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot 2026-06-24 201258-1782353603628.png">We will continue to monitor the progression of the system as it moves across the region. Residents in areas prone to flooding or severe weather are encouraged to stay informed of the latest forecasts and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts throughout the weekend.&nbsp;

Flood Threat Persists This Week

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https://youtu.be/i-_fIlQrrK8

Pea size, baseball size, even grapefruit size?

There are many everyday items that we can use to determine the best estimate of a hail stone.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-90381 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/hail-size-chart-pics.jpg" alt="" width="630" height="617" />

Courtesy: NOAA/National Weather Service

Pea size hail is ¼" in diameter and hail at ¾" is the width of a penny.

When hail is 1" in diameter, that’s the same size as a quarter and also when hail size is considered "severe" (or large enough to potentially cause damage).

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-90382" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/quart-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Some of the most destructive hail that falls measures at least 2" in diameter!

Tennis ball size is 2 ½", baseball size measures 2.75", tea cup size is 3", and softball size measures 4" in diameter.

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-90383" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/weldon-1-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Did you know hail can be even larger than that?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1258580136699420674

The biggest hailstone ever recorded was near Vivian, South Dakota in 2010, coming in at 8” in diameter!

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-90384" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/04/viv-2-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" />

Just remember -- before you go outside to measure the size of hail that fell in your backyard, wait until the storm has moved far enough away so you can safely make your observation.

For WeatherNation, I’m <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>

Understanding Hail Size

Massive Fires Burn in Utah, Extreme Fire Danger Continues

Photo: Iron Fire getting doused with a retard

Northwestern Trough: From Snow to Severe

A significant early-summer trough is digging

Dangerous Stretch of Heat Shaping Up This Week

The hottest temperatures of the year are loom

Slow-Moving Front Could Turn Tropical This Week

Early in the season, we watch closer to the c

'MCS' Season Brings Severe and Flooding Threats Across the Southeast

As Summer settles in across the Central U.S.,

Severe Threat Tracks into the Northeast Friday

Another day, another Illinois tornado. That's

Flood Threat Persists This Week

New rounds of rainfall are expected to contin