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>Record heat rolls on across the Lone Star State. Several cities saw record highs over 100 degrees on Saturday. The intense heat is likely to continue for the next few days with more potential records (above).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/1-1787450855270.png"></p><p><strong>Heat Advisories</strong> and <strong>Extreme Heat Warnings </strong>remain across the Southern U.S. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 124653-1787510822957.png"></p><p>Feels-like temperatures remain dangerously hot. Many areas will feel like 110°+.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 124639-1787510829432.png"></p><p>That means we are in the <strong>danger</strong> category for heat index values. Heat exhaustion is likely and heat stroke is possible. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Check in on your neighbors!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 034424-1787478268843.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest.</p>

Alana Cameron

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

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Kevin Schneider

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<h1>TROPICAL STORM MOKE</h1><p>Just a little over a week after Hurricane Lala impacted Hawaii, another system has formed in the Central Pacific. Tropical Storm Moke formed Friday with max sustained winds of 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1002 millibars but hasn't strengthened much since.</p><p>TS Moke is moving at a steady pace to the north-northwest. Moke is expected to bring gusty winds and heavy rainfall to Hawaii. A ridge of high pressure will continue to steer it west. It will gradually strengthen through the weekend, impacting the Hawaiian Islands into next week. Interests in Hawaii should watch model track trends in the coming days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 123944-1787510412404.png">The probabilities remain low, with the track likely staying south. Heavy rainfall is the greater threat. Moke is expected to produce 3-6 inches of rainfall, and the Big Island can see isolated totals of 12"+ of rainfall. With little room for additional rainfall right now, a flood watch has been issued. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 124048-1787510458480.png"></p><h1>HURRICANE LALA</h1><p>While Lala did not make a direct landfall on the Hawaiian Islands, it still brought significant impacts. The Hawaii Department of Transportation reported that parts of Highway 11 on the Big Island were shut down due to flooding. More than 130,000 customers lost power Saturday at the height of the storm. WeatherNation's field correspondent, Jonathan Petramala, was there bringing the views on the ground.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088807962383143316" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088807962383143316"></div><p>Rainfall totals exceeded 30+ inches in many locations.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 101407-1786983268612.jpg"></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2089171101914223009" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2089171101914223009"></div><p>Lala briefly strengthened to a category 4 hurricane. It is not expected to bring any additional impacts to land as it continues to move over open Pacific waters. It will steadily weaken in the coming days.</p>

Tropical Storm Moke Brushes Hawaii Today

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>Several frontal systems will cross the country over the next few days moving around a big ridge in the South/Southwest, leading to severe weather risks in their associated regions along with flood potential.</p><h1>Severe Weather Outlooks</h1><p>One departing system on the East Coast will keep the severe chances around there, while a developing front will kick up storms in the Intermountain West. The biggest concern for widespread severe storms will be with the developing front as it drops into the plains.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 124148-1787510514803.png"></p><h1>Sunday's Focus</h1><p>Sunday, destructive winds and hail will be possible with severe storms riding around the high-pressure ridge across the Northern Rockies and Northern High Plains. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 124335-1787510620421.png"><br>For the Northeast, isolated severe storms will be possible across the Northeast as a cold front continues eastward.<br><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 042124-1787480501783.png"></p><h1>Storm Timing</h1><h2>Southern Plains / Mid-South</h2><p>During the afternoon, the Gulf Coast will see a few isolated severe thunderstorms. Sunday night into Monday, severe storms from the Central Plains will drop south into the Ozarks and Deep South.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-23 04-25-12-1787480734282.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Northeast</h2><p>Sunday, isolated severe storms will be possible across the Northeast. As the surface low lingers into Canada, heavy rain will creep into Western New York which could cause some flooding.</p><h2></h2><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-23 04-23-00-1787480620379.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Rockies/High Plains</h2><p>Frontal boundaries moving over the Rockies will help spur afternoon storms in the high terrain, before storms descend in the afternoon while pushing east. These threats will shift slightly through Monday.</p><h1></h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/2026-08-23 04-24-06-1787480680252.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Flooding</h1><p>Watch for areas of <strong>isolated</strong> to <strong>scattered</strong> flooding over the next few days in many of the same areas where severe storms are expected. Monsoon storms in the Southwest will still present a daily threat for isolated/scattered flash flooding.</p><p>For more on your top weather headlines, watch WeatherNation live on-air or online!</p>

Severe Storms Continue to Ride Around Heat Dome

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<p>High pressure has returned to the Desert Southwest. <strong>Extreme Heat Warnings </strong>(in pink) have been issued for cities including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Yuma. <strong>Heat Advisories </strong>(in orange) have been issued across the Inland Empire of California and around Salt Lake City.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 033645-1787477810634.png">We started the week with plenty of triple digits across the Southwest, even Los Angeles is getting close to the century mark by midweek. </p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 033735-1787477860610.png">Storm Threat</h1><p>Isolated flash flooding will be possible each afternoon for areas that can see storms develop, which will be most of the Four Corners region. The Aspen Acres burn scar is under threat of flash flooding and debris flows through today.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 033911-1787477983057.png">There could also be some severe storms into Southern Arizona. This includes cities like Phoenix and Tucson. Another risk for severe weather is possible across the northern four corners. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 033823-1787477991010.png">With a high-pressure system sliding in, we'll manage to pick up some moisture, increasing the heat index and the chance for some storms for the Four Corners throughout the weekend.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/0823-1787478061827.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>For more on this, be sure to join us:50 past the hour for your west regional forecast.</p>

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest the Next Few Days

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<p>El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in the Atlantic this summer, with three named storms to date but only 16% 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. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 032445-1787477089898.png">Right on cue, we are seeing 3 areas of potential development in the Atlantic Basin. A tropical wave moving off Africa in the days ahead may have the better chance to get its act together this week as it moves across the MDR (main development region) in the Atlantic, between Africa and the Caribbean. There is a <strong>medium</strong> chance for development right now.</p><p>The two primary global forecast models are showing development late-week, Both develop the system into a low, but the strength of the system varies quite a bit as the GFS deepens the low more quickly. The system is still only about halfway through the tropical Atlantic by Thursday afternoon, which means any impacts to the U.S. would be another 6-10 days out, at least.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-23 032610-1787477175729.png">Stay tuned...this is the time of the year when the Atlantic Waters can get a little rowdy. The next system to gain tropical storm status in the Atlantic will be named Dolly.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-22 081921-1787408368849.png">Stayed tuned to WeatherNation for the latest in the tropics!</p>

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Late Week

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Brittany Lockley

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<p>A stormy end to the week is taking shape for parts of the eastern U.S., where rounds of thunderstorms will bring torrential rain, localized flash flooding, damaging winds, and tornadoes.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;Thursday, storms produced significant damage across parts of Delaware and Pennsylvania. In Dover, a tornado hit, causing damage throughout the city. A high school near Lancaster, PA had its roof ripped off. Friday, storm surveys will be performed to assess some of the damage.</span></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VON_082026_RNE_DOVER, DE_DRIVING THROUGH THE DAMAGE IN DOVER_FB_CAITLIN HARVEY_BH_082016-1787279216568.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/VO_082026_RNE_YORK, PA_DAMAGE TO EASTERN YORK HIGH SCHOOL_YORK EMS_BH_082026-1787279282869.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Showers and storms will linger into early Friday morning over areas of the Mid-Atlantic. The severe risk will diminish for the morning, and then the risk picks up during the afternoon and evening.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/FORECAST-1787270277549.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Urban communities will be particularly vulnerable. Heavy downpours can quickly overwhelm storm drains, leaving streets, underpasses, and other low-lying areas flooded. Areas that experience multiple storms could see the flooding risk increase as the ground becomes increasingly saturated.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/PIC 2-1787274133924.jpg"></p><p>A cold front moving east will provide the trigger for showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. With plenty of moisture available, some storms will be capable of producing a large amount of rain in a short period of time.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-20 080419-1787234676441.png">Friday, the focus for heavier rainfall and thunderstorms is expected to extend from parts of Virginia and North Carolina toward the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of South Carolina.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;Severe storms could extend all the way down to the Gulf Coast for Friday afternoon and evening.</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-21 040323-1787306617672.png"></p><p>The front could linger near the East Coast rather than quickly clearing the region, allowing additional showers and storms to develop into the start of the weekend. Several inches of rain could accumulate in some locations, especially where thunderstorms repeatedly track over the same areas.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;</span>If a roadway is covered by water, drivers should turn around and find another route. The depth of floodwater can be difficult to determine, and even relatively shallow moving water can create hazardous conditions for vehicles.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;Tune into WeatherNation TV for more details.</span></p>

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

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<p><strong>MIDWEST - </strong>After a week of flooding rains in the Midwest, today we enjoy a break from the relentless rainfall. However, many remain under flood watches and warnings as rivers remain swollen.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2088604118151479464" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2088604118151479464"></div><p></p><p><strong>FLOOD THREAT</strong></p><p></p><p>Additional rainfall could increase the risk of flash flooding across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Appalachian region. As the front works through, some localized flooding will be possible overnight. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/OVERNSSSS-1787016460932.png"></p><h2>Overnight Severe Threat</h2><p>The Storm Prediction Center and National Weather Service have issued a severe thunderstorm watch through tonight across the Southern Appalachians. The SPC has us under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe storms through the overnight hours.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot 2026-08-17 193201-1787016747073.png"></p><p></p><p></p>

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

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WeatherNation's Top 5 videos of the week showcase the good, the bad, and the ugly weather of the week.

<strong>5)</strong> Jaw dropping video of a man narrowly misses a lightning strike in Conway, SC kicks it all off. Thankfully, the man was okay. This video is a good reminder that if you hear thunder, that means lightning is close enough to strike. [<a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/news/man-describes-his-close-encounter-with-a-lightning-strike/">Related article: Man Describes Close Encounter with Lightning Strike</a>]

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https://youtu.be/gHSaTTonRaA

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<strong>4)</strong> A picturesque tornado caught on camera in Eastern Colorado, gave one community quite the show! Watch as a twister goes through a full lifespan, from a churning tornado... to gone in just minutes. Thankfully, there was no damage reported from this tornado near Joes, Colorado.

<strong>3)</strong> The Central Plains spawned several mesmerizing storms this past week, including a photogenic supercell that moved through Topeka, Kansas. The video shows development of a severe thunderstorm, as it grows into what looks like a spaceship by the end of the video!

<strong>2)</strong> The next video was definitely not a sight you want to see before boarding your plane! A lightning bolt created a striking display on an airport runway in Jacksonville, FL, lighting up the night sky. Delays, anyone?

<strong>1)</strong> And finally, with every storm, a beautiful ending. Mammatus clouds glow under the late day sun, making quite the sight in Denver, Colorado. A time-lapsed video shows how sinking air near a thunderstorm, forms these pouch-like structures.

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Do you think you can top these Top 5?  Be sure to send us your best weather videos!  Share your best weather video with us on social media.  Find @WeatherNation on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeatherNation/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/weathernation/">Instagram</a>, or <a href="https://twitter.com/WeatherNation">Twitter </a> for a chance to be featured in our weekly top 5.  (<a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/terms/">Read WeatherNation Terms of Service</a>)

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For WeatherNation,  <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>

WATCH: Top 5 Videos of the Week

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Record heat rolls on across the Lone Star Sta

Tropical Storm Moke Brushes Hawaii Today

TROPICAL STORM MOKEJust a little over a week

Severe Storms Continue to Ride Around Heat Dome

Several frontal systems will cross the countr

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest the Next Few Days

High pressure has returned to the Desert Sout

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Late Week

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

A stormy end to the week is taking shape for

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in t