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>Severe storms have been numerous this week, and the severe threat continues. As we look ahead, storms are expected to push south and east over the next day or two, bringing some slightly different areas into the fold.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048061975142322502" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048061975142322502"></div><p></p><p>Large hail was the dominant threat Tuesday, with multiple reports in Missouri at 4" in diameter (softball size), even a 4.5" report from Godley, Texas! Take a listen to what that sounds like hitting a house:</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2049285032607642063" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2049285032607642063"></div><p>Large hail looks to be the primary threat, but all will be on the table again. Some hailstones could grow in excess of 2" in diameter again.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114231-1777484572232.png">A <strong>SLIGHT</strong> risk of severe weather is in effect across portions of Texas through Alabama.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114226-1777484583722.png">Isolated tornadoes will be possible. This includes cities like San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Jackson.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114315-1777484600144.png">After a break from midday storms, additional storms will start to fire up near the I-35 corridor. They will spread east with more development along the cold front into the evening Wednesday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04293-1777474063517.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Alana Cameron

Hail Pummels Missouri, Texas; Back for More Wednesday

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<h2>Rainfall &amp; Forecast</h2><p>While much of the state of Texas has been under an active pattern recently, additional chances for heavy rainfall will arrive through the end of the week as stronger, upper-level energy continues to flow over the region.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114511-1777484719330.png">Because the front never clears the Gulf Coast, the steady stream of warm, moist air arriving from the South doesn't shut off. As energetic winds overhead remain in place, plenty of lift will support the daily formation of thunderstorms. These thunderstorms will have plenty of moisture to work with and could have extremely high rainfall rates.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/0429-1777473450692.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>With the potential combination of training storms and heavy rainfall rates, the flooding concern is rising. This is especially true across Texas, as grounds are already very saturated from previous storms. The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted areas on both Thursday and Friday with a Slight Risk Excessive Rainfall Outlook. Thursday's risk highlights the Texas Hill Country eastward to the I-35 corridor. On Friday, the flooding threat shifts east, encompassing much of East Texas and northern Louisiana.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04291-1777473506001.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>There are many areas, especially across the southeast, that desperately need more rainfall.</p><h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 133607-1777404986134.png">Severe Threat</h2><p>There are isolated risks for severe weather starting on Thursday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114621-1777484795870.png">By Friday, isolated severe storms will be possible across portions of Texas and Florida.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114629-1777484803437.png"></p>

Late Week Heavy Rain & Storms for Texas

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h1>MONDAY</h1><p>Severe storms erupted across the Midwest on Monday, causing damage to homes and other structures. Reports of damaging winds, large hail, and even a few tornadoes came in throughout Monday. Some of those tornadoes touched down after dark, creating truly nightmare-like scenes captured on video in Illinois.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048955551267328360" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048955551267328360"></div><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048945300266537201" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048945300266537201"></div><p>Storms really started to spark up into the early evening. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were firing off into the nighttime hours across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-28 04-20-09-1777371667954.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>We picked up some pretty large hailstones out of Missouri after this system pulled through. Some reports showed hailstones reaching the size of softballs!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042253-1777371968460.png"></p><p>The gustiest winds reported were actually out of Illinois and Indiana. Looking back at the radar from Monday night, it's no surprise, being that we got that defined bow echo.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042302-1777372048925.png"></p><p>Flooding was also a major issue across places like Kansas City. With multiple heavy rounds of rainfall, we even broke several records across major cities in the Midwest. We always tell folks to never sleep on that flooding threat!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 042928-1777372180763.png">Why wasn't there more high-end tornadoes? A lot of research will go into the exact whys, but one thing that jumped out at us was the cap. Temperatures above the area where storms were attempting to form were slightly warmer than expected. That snuffed out many storms before they could achieve strong to violent status Monday evening.</p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-28 115059-1777398675567.png">TUESDAY</h1><p>On Tuesday, our front dropped into the southern plains, providing a focus for more thunderstorms. Supercells approached the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, nearing rush hour. Large hail fell with the most intense storms, and a few tornadoes were reported. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114240-1777484739534.png">Earlier in the day, storms north of the boundary produced more massive hail in southwest Missouri, smashing multiple windows</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 114259-1777484807523.png"></p>

Kevin Schneider

A Look Back at Moderate Risks This Week

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<p>We have a rather wet pattern ahead for a lot of the Southwest going into the late week! To a lot of folks, this will be great news! The West has been begging for a good drink for a while. Just look at the drought monitor!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 084430-1777473875041.png"></p><p>The timing of these storms is a little funky, as this cutoff low is expected to start its journey overnight on Wednesday. We'll still get some showers out in Denver through Wednesday, though. Afterwards, rainfall is expected to really ramp up across New Mexico and Colorado on Thursday, which will likely be the wettest day this week.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04292-1777473759457.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>But just how much moisture are we gonna pick up? Well, the Rockies are forecast to pick up a foot of snow across much of Colorado. We can also expect about half an inch to even an inch of rain across the majority of New Mexico and Colorado for locations at lower elevations.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 084247-1777473772149.png">Winter Storm Watches have been added for portions of Colorado and New Mexico. Totals could range anywhere between 5 - 15".</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 084259-1777473800546.png">Minor to Major impacts from winter weather will be possible across the higher elevations of the Front Range south through the Sangre De Cristo. The Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 and the Monarch Pass on US-50 may become impacted locations over the next few days.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 084404-1777473851393.png">Monsoon season is right around the corner!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-29 084445-1777473901663.png"></p><p>Be sure to join us at :50 past the hour on WeatherNation for your complete West Regional forecast breakdown!</p>

Cut-off Low Increases Rain and Snow Chances Out West

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<p><strong>WEST - </strong>Another upper-level low is set to move through the western United States to bring in a chance for rainshowers and snow for the higher elevations.</p><p>Rain and high-elevation snow chances will ramp up through Wednesday, which could bring back renewed slick roadways on some mountain passes. Most of our winter weather alerts have ended for the Rockies today as we wait for our next round.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/0427 west-1777330956598.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h3><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 124601-1777315581223.png">What's Next for the West?</h3><p>Another upper level low pressure system is set to move in from the Pacific onshore by about midweek, increasing rain chances for the Four Corners.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 rfsw set up-1777315770759.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>On Wednesday, rain chances will increase across the Four Corners, but by Thursday, widespread rainshowers and heavy high elevation snow will take over Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 rsw we to fri-1777315803787.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>In the long term, the Weather Prediction Center keeps the 4-Corners region in the green with confidence in above-average precipitation heading into May.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 035703-1777283836422.png"></p>

Jackie Brown

West Staying Active this Week

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<p>Rounds of rain are set to return to the Southeast through the end of April, offering some much-needed moisture to a region that has been dealing with unusually dry conditions. While several systems are expected to bring periods of steady rain and thunderstorms, the rainfall will likely fall short of fully reversing the ongoing drought. Many areas across the region have recorded well below-average precipitation in recent weeks, leaving soils parched and waterways running low.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-25 080049-1777125658800.png">Even with pockets of heavier rain, totals will be inconsistent, meaning not all drought-stricken locations will benefit equally. Some communities could see meaningful improvement, but others may miss out on the heaviest downpours altogether. This uneven distribution limits the overall impact and slows any long-term recovery.<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">&nbsp;</span></p><p>The heaviest of the rainfall over the next few days looks to be across Mississippi and Alabama. However, it might not get all of us - the latest models are avoiding northern Florida/southern Georgia, where we desperately need it.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 171323-1777331612615.png">The continued dryness has also heightened wildfire concerns across parts of the Southeast. There are still several fires burning between Georgia and Florida that are spreading smoke across the Southeast. If you have upper respiratory issues, limit the time spent outdoors. The air quality near these fires could be significantly impacted.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 035139-1777283545897.png"></p><p>More details on your Eastern Regional Forecast can be found :10 past the hour on WeatherNation.</p><p></p>

Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

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<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">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></span></p>

Rob Bradley

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<p><em>Top Image: Brett Adair</em></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikRBAKESm0k" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Several strong tornadoes tore across portions of the Great Plains and Midwest on Thursday, causing damage, notably in the town of Enid, Oklahoma. WeatherNation field correspondent Brett Adair captured a different tornado near Braman, Oklahoma (below). In contrast, correspondents Brandon Clement and Jonathan Petramala caught the Enid tornado during and after its tear through town.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047770214519992738" src="https://x.com/NWSNorman/status/2047770214519992738"></div><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047512666902823257" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047512666902823257"></div><p>Jonathan provided an update late Thursday as emergency crews were combing through collapsed buildings in Enid. Thankfully, the Sheriff's office has reported only minor injuries so far.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047616538031604204" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047616538031604204"></div><p>Tornado warnings were issued across six different states on Thursday, with about 21 reports of tornadoes coming in. Some of those reports will be from the same tornado, so we'll have to wait for damage surveys to confirm numbers and intensity (EF) ratings.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071558-1777036595398.png">Aside from the tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms were numerous on Friday! Storms produced hurricane-force wind gusts and hail up to the size of softballs!</p><h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071653-1777036618310.png">Radar Review</h1><p>The Braman and Enid tornadoes formed from supercell thunderstorms, each producing a classic "hook echo" while the tornadoes were mature. The storms eventually congealed into a line that produced additional severe weather and heavy rain, leading to flash flood warnings.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-30-40-1777044754991.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><p>Farther north, tornado warnings started earlier in the day for areas around the I-29 corridor, with a picturesque tornado captured near Little Sioux, IA (video below the radar loop). Additional severe storms, including confirmed tornadoes, formed through the afternoon and into the evening. You can see the squall line with a tornado-warned storm move through the Kansas City area in the evening. This occurred while the Chiefs were making their selection in the NFL draft, forcing some personnel around the building to huddle near the draft room, which is in the middle of the building (a safer location to shelter from a tornado).</p><p></p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-31-58-1777044771886.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047473094671888669" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047473094671888669"></div><p>This story will be updated with tornado damage surveys as they come in. Check back for updates!</p>

Adrian Hernandez

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

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Rounds of rain are set to return to the South

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