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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A tornado watch, for a particularly dangerous situation, has been issued across portions of the Ohio River Valley, Tennessee, and Arkansas. This watch is until 11 pm CDT. Several tornadoes (including a few intense tornadoes), large hail, and gusts to 70 mph are likely this afternoon and into the evening hours. Please have a plan in place as this severe event continues to unfold.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/PDS WATCHH -1777321317767.png">Several rounds of severe storms are expected to impact the middle of the country through the early part of the week! This type of pattern can create severe fatigue, but residents need to remain vigilant to be on alert for multiple days of severe storms.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2048061975142322502" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2048061975142322502"></div>Today has a MODERATE (Level 4 out of 5) risk for severe weather. Some of the most at-risk areas include St. Louis, Paducah, and Peoria. All threats will be on the table for the day.The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a significant tornado threat for the Midwest. This not only means the highlighted areas have a better shot at seeing tornadoes, but strong, long-track tornadoes at that. The strength could vary from EF2 - EF3 or stronger. Some of the more at-risk cities include St. Louis, Quincy, Evansville, and Paducah. There is also a significant hail threat. The areas in purple can see hail 2" or larger through tonight, this is the size of an egg.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 120932-1777313382693.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 mod w hrrr-1777313396190.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Severe weather threats continue into Tuesday. There is an ENHANCED risk in place for parts of Texas through Kentucky and even the Deep South. All modes of severe weather are possible; the biggest threat will likely be damaging winds and large hail.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 121011-1777313435194.png">A MARGINAL threat sticks around for Wednesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 104122-1777308089555.png">With several rounds of severe thunderstorms expected, heavy rain will add up over the next week. Thankfully, this will not all come at once, but isolated flash flooding will remain a possibility with each system.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 104155-1777308122170.png">

Jackie Brown

Moderate Threat of Severe Weather Monday

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Kevin Schneider

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WEST - 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.Rain and high-elevation snow chances will ramp up today and tomorrow, 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.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 WEST-1777315571258.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>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.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 rfsw set up-1777315770759.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/04-27 rsw we to fri-1777315803787.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 035703-1777283836422.png">

Alana Cameron

West Staying Active this Week

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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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Top Image: Brett Adair<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikRBAKESm0k" start="0"></iframe></div>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.<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>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.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2047616538031604204" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2047616538031604204"></div>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.<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!<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-24 071653-1777036618310.png">Radar Review</h1>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.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-24 09-30-40-1777044754991.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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).<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>This story will be updated with tornado damage surveys as they come in. Check back for updates!

Adrian Hernandez

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

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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.<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.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/FLOOS-1777256337435.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>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 - latest models are avoiding northern Florida/southern Georgia, where we desperately need it.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-26 161432-1777241678426.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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-27 035139-1777283545897.png">More details on your Eastern Regional Forecast can be found :10 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

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Tracey Anthony

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Flooding continues to be a serious threat across the Great Lakes region, with alerts remaining in effect, particularly along creeks, streams, and rivers. Heavy rain and severe storms arrived on top of spring snowmelt, making the typical &amp; gradual snowmelt a thing of the past.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2046952167316054057" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2046952167316054057"></div>A big part of this flood setup can be traced to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where a very snowy winter left a large amount of water locked into the snowpack.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/WEB 1-1777036607177.png">At the same time, Milwaukee had already set a new April precipitation record by April 16, surpassing the old record of 7.38 inches from 2013! &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/pic5-1777122762558.png">More rain arriving by Sunday will be an insult to injury for these already swollen rivers, creeks, and streams.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-26 063707-1777199846282.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot 2026-04-26 063736-1777199867782.png">For more on your central regional forecast, tune into WeatherNation :30 past the hour.

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

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Patrick Crawford has always been a huge weather buff! He grew up in Plano, Texas, and it was there that he experienced what Mother Nature was capable of doing. He would always turn on the television to see what local meteorologists were saying about the weather. That's when he realized he wanted to be a meteorologist.

Patrick graduated from Northern Illinois University (’04) with a degree in Meteorology and a double minor in Mathematics and Geography. Broadcast Meteorology has been great to him and he has been able to work in television markets all across the country. Some of his stops have included New Orleans, Green Bay and even Yuma, Arizona. He is so excited to be part of the WeatherNation team.

He has been awarded the prestigious CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) weather seal from the American Meteorological Society.

Feel free to catch up with Patrick Crawford on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeteorologistPC/">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://twitter.com/MeteorologistPC">Twitter</a> pages.

Patrick Crawford

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After a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/multiple-tornadoes-hit-the-plains-midwest-thursday">devastating day of tornadoes in Oklahoma on Thursday</a>, A mid-level shortwave trough digging into the Mississippi River Valley will bring a risk of large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Cities across the Arklatex may be impacted by severe weather tonight and into the early morning hours of Saturday. Here is a look at the very latest severe forecast.<h1>Severe Outlook</h1>*UPDATE* The Storm Prediction Center upgraded Friday's outlook to an enhanced risk for severe storms over the Ark-La-Tex. This means numerous severe storms are possible.Significant hail remains possible tonight. 2" diameter hail (lime-sized) could accompany these storms for Friday night and early Saturday morning. The greatest risk for hail is in the pink shaded area on the map. Larger hail is possible in the lined area. Anything outdoors that can be damaged by hail will need to be covered up or brought inside.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1777083091355.png">People should have multiple ways to get warnings with the possibility of tornadoes. A slightly higher threat of EF-2 or greater tornadoes is possible in the lined area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1777083170191.png"><h1>Forecast</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1777083245602.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>More updates are on the way on-air and online.

Jesse Kelley

Tonight's Severe Risk From the Ark-La-Tex to the Lower Mississippi Valley

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Brittany Lockley

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<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776997531081.png">The Storm Prediction Center has issued an&nbsp;enhanced risk of severe weather on Thursday. The greatest threats will include very large hail and powerful wind gusts, but a few tornadoes are also a concern, especially in areas where storms can remain isolated and intensify. The severe threat continues into the overnight hours before gradually weakening! <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/New Baron Video 3-1776997766167.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rainfall may also accompany these storms, raising the risk of localized flooding in some areas already dealing with saturated ground. Residents across the Plains are being urged to stay weather-aware and have multiple ways to receive warnings, as conditions can change quickly during severe weather outbreaks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/04/1-1776997836053.png">&nbsp;Tune into WeatherNation for more details.

Severe Storm Threat Reloads Across Plains with Hail, Wind, and Tornado Risk

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This week we dig into the Illinois tornado event, discuss the origin of "Santa Ana wind", and are joined by Mike Eliason of Santa Barbara County Fire.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-100727 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/12/thumbnail0.png" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<script src="https://www.buzzsprout.com/228869/881014-wild-wild-wildfires-episode-2.js?player=small" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script>

You also watch the video version on our <a href="https://youtu.be/r0YHZmHksL0">YouTube channel</a>.

You can listen to all of our episodes on <a href="https://apple.co/2raWEy2">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://spoti.fi/2Smuk7G">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://bit.ly/2FLN9PZ">Stitcher</a>, or where ever you get your podcasts.

If you have suggestions or questions for the hosts, shoot us an email at podcast@weathernationtv.com.

Enjoy!

Wild, Wild, Wildfires - The WeatherNation Podcast

Moderate Threat of Severe Weather Monday

A tornado watch, for a particularly dangerous

West Staying Active this Week

WEST - Another upper-level low is set to move

Looking Back at Last Week's Severe Storms

Top Image: Brett AdairSeveral strong tornadoe

Southeast Rain Brings Relief, But Drought and Wildfire Threats Persist

Rounds of rain are set to return to the South

Record Snow, Record Rain, Rising Rivers

Flooding continues to be a serious threat acr

Tonight's Severe Risk From the Ark-La-Tex to the Lower Mississippi Valley

After a devastating day of tornadoes in Oklah

Severe Storm Threat Reloads Across Plains with Hail, Wind, and Tornado Risk

The Storm Prediction Center has issued an&nbs