Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Cat Taylor
National Weather Service upgrades tornado to EF5, the first in 12 years
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - A June tornado in North Dakota has been upgraded to an EF-5, ending a 12-year streak without the most violent twisters. This change comes after the National Weather Service conducted additional damage surveys with wind damage experts. It was initially rated EF-3. The tornado curled around just east of Enderlin, North Dakota on June 20, 2025. It hit multiple homes, completely sweeping one clean off its foundation. This resulted in 3 deaths.
Severe storms possible Monday evening
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Southern and eastern Siouxland are in a Slight Risk for severe weather. Monday will be warm and muggy with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon along a stationary front in Northern Siouxland. Storms will meander southward through the evening and early overnight. Main threats will be large hail to ping pong ball size and 60 to 70 mph winds. A tornado is not overly likely, but a brief one can’t be ruled out. Daytime highs in the low 80s.
Strong storms possible Tuesday night
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - A low pressure system will arrive in Siouxland on Tuesday evening and hover over the area through Friday bringing rain chances every day. Mostly sunny and warm again on Tuesday with a few isolated thunderstorms possible east. Daytime highs in the upper 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. More storms will develop after sunset Tuesday evening to the west in Northeast Nebraska, some of which could be strong or severe. There’s a Marginal Risk for most of Siouxland for Tuesday night.
Summer weather for the weekend
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Isolated showers and thunderstorms expected to slowly fizzle into the early afternoon. Partly cloudy with a few isolated showers, becoming less likely by late afternoon. Chance of rain after noon: 10%. Otherwise, quite warm and humid. Highs in the upper 80s. Partly cloudy and humid with above average temperatures. Overnight lows in the upper 60s. Saturday will be quite hot and humid, highs in the low 90s with heat index values closer to the middle 90s.
Sioux City Forecast: A cold front is on the way to Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Friday night with a few thunderstorms and will bring “cooler” weather until the middle of next week.
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Friday was hot and humid with highs near 90 degrees. A cold front is on the way Friday night and will bring “cooler” weather until the middle of next week. A weak cold front arrives tonight. Mostly cloudy with a few isolated thunderstorms possible, especially after midnight. A Marginal Risk for severe weather. Main threat is quarter size hail and 60mph winds. Overnight lows near 70. A few thunderstorms will be possible before lunchtime, especially in far eastern Siouxland.
Hot and humid weather with heat index values up to 105 possible Friday with small storm chances across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Tuesday was warm, but shy of the heat expected. Highs topped out in the middle 80s with partly cloudy skies and lots of humidity. Dew points were in the middle 70s. The heat will surge as we end the work week. Partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of a rain shower or garden-variety thunderstorm. Southeast winds at 5 to 15 mph. Overnight lows around 70 degrees. Hot and humid. Highs near 90. A Heat Advisory is in effect until 8pm with heat index values up to 105 degrees.
Cooler temperatures, wildfire smoke, and showers chances stick around Siouxland through the weekend
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Friday was very smoky thanks to wildfire smoke from Canada, Utah, and the Grand Canyon getting trapped under a lid of elevated warmer air over our cooler air here at the ground (called an inversion). Highs were cooler, in the middle 70s with a few showers earlier in the day. This pattern will be rinse-and-repeat through the weekend. Air Quality has been in the “Unhealthy” category for much of Siouxland since Thursday.
Storms will move through Siouxland Tuesday night as a cold front passes through
***Flood Watch for Central and Eastern Siouxland until Wednesday morning*** ***Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Southeastern South Dakota until 10 pm*** SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Siouxland is still cleaning up from Monday night’s derecho, but we aren’t out of the woods of severe weather just yet. More storms are on the way Tuesday night as a cold front passes through the area. Storms could fire up between 7pm and midnight with the heaviest rain falling between 10pm and 10am.
Science Academy: On the Road
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - On News 4 at Noon, First Alert Meteorologist Cat Taylor took the Science Academy on the road to the LaunchPAD Children’s Museum. You can watch the Science Academy on the Road in the playlist below. For more on Science Academy, you can watch on News 4 Now or follow this link. Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app. Copyright 2025 KTIV. All rights reserved.
Murray Street in Sioux City to close immediately between Harbor Drive and South Patton Street for emergency repairs
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Murray Street in Sioux City was immediately closed between Harbor Drive and South Patton Street on Tuesday, July 22. The closure is due to emergency repairs needed to the sanitary sewer system. The construction is expected to last through July 28, 2025, if the weather cooperates. A detour route is from Harbor Drive to Bridgeport Drive to Patton Street, as shown below.
Severe storms move into eastern Nebraska on Tuesday evening and push east into northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota Tuesday night.
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Monday was hot and humid with daytime highs reaching around 90 degrees with dew points in the middle 70s and plentiful sunshine. All this humidity will help fuel storms from late Tuesday into Tuesday night. Tuesday is a First Alert Weather Day, although storms won’t move in until after 7pm. The majority of Tuesday will be hot and humid with lots of sun. Highs near 90. Storms will move from central South Dakota into western Siouxland by late evening.
Strong to severe thunderstorms could impact northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa Thursday evening
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Thursday is a First Alert Weather Day. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in the evening and early night. A batch of storms is expected to develop this evening west of I-29. Ongoing rain and storms through the afternoon could limit today’s potential for severe weather. But, strengthening and development of storms is still anticipated. A Level 3/5 Enhanced Risk for severe weather covers most of Siouxland. All modes of severe weather are possible.
Severe storms and heavy rain with flash flooding possible Wednesday night through Friday night in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Wednesday started with fog and a couple storms on radar, but we quickly saw plentiful sunshine with highs reaching the upper 80s. All this heat and humidity will contribute to thunderstorm development by Wednesday night. There is a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms for central and western portions of the KTIV viewing area. Main threat will be damaging wind gusts to 65mph. Lesser chances exist for hail to half dollar size and localized flooding.
Storm chances for the holiday weekend
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Independence Day was hot and humid with highs near 90 degrees and gusty south winds. Unfortunately, a few isolated storms developed in the afternoon. Those storms are expected to move east through Friday evening. Showers and storms will move east through Friday evening and into the overnight. While we are in a Marginal Risk (category 1 of 5) for severe weather in western Siouxland, the chance of seeing it remains fairly small.
Storm chances return Wednesday along with the 90s
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - We had tons of sunshine on Tuesday as temperatures pushed into the upper 80s. This was the last day of “lower” humidity for quite some time. Tuesday night will be clear and quiet early with a few storms possible well after midnight, mainly toward the dawn hours. Overnight lows in the low 60s. Heat and humidity surge on Wednesday with a few storms possible on Wednesday morning and a few more isolated showers or storms in the afternoon and evening.
Above normal temperatures return Tuesday with humidity back by midweek
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Monday had a few showers to start the day, but skies quickly cleared, and temperatures stayed just a few degrees below normal for the end of June. Drier weather remains through Tuesday. Monday night will be clear and quiet with below normal overnight lows in the upper 50s. Expect lots of sunshine on Tuesday as temperatures push into the upper 80s. This will be the last day of “lower” humidity for quite some time.
Warmer weekend with some strong storm potential
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Patchy fog developed early Friday morning, but skies stayed partly cloudy to mostly sunny through Friday afternoon. Humidity returned throughout the day, and that might provide fuel for an isolated thunderstorm Friday night...if it can get going. An isolated strong to severe thunderstorm will be possible by late Friday evening into the early overnight. Far western Siouxland has a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms (below).
Some drying time before severe storm potential returns
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - After nearly 72 hours of rain and thunderstorms, most of Siouxland ended up with 2 to 4” of rainfall with a few recorded measurements of 6”. The rain ended Thursday evening with some drying time ahead of us into the weekend. Patchy fog is possible Thursday night with partly cloudy skies. Overnight lows will be cool in the lower 60s with lots of humidity. Friday will start foggy, but sunshine will come out by the afternoon. Quite humid with highs in the middle 80s.
FIRST ALERT: Severe weather & flash flooding possible Wednesday into Thursday
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Heavy rain fell Tuesday and early Wednesday morning leading to a widespread 1 to 3” of rain accumulation. This has saturated soils and will potentially increase the chance of flash flooding into Thursday morning. A Flash Flood WATCH is in effect for a large portion of the KTIV viewing area until Thursday afternoon with a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH through Wednesday evening.
FIRST ALERT: Relief from the heat comes with severe thunderstorm potential
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Sunday was hot and windy with highs in the upper 90s and gusts up to around 45 mph. The heat and humidity from today will spark convection along the cold front. Sunday is a First Alert Weather Day. While the extreme heat ends Sunday at 9pm, severe weather is possible into the overnight. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for western Siouxland until 11pm.
Extreme heat continues, severe storms possible
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Saturday was hot and windy with highs nearing 100 and gusts up to 40 mph. The heat and humidity may fire up a storm into Saturday night. An isolated storm is expected to develop in western Siouxland Saturday night with lows in the lower 70s. While a Marginal Risk has been issued for western Siouxland, storms will likely struggle to reach severe criteria. If a storm were to strengthen, large hail and damaging winds would be the largest threats.
Dangerous heat into the weekend
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Wednesday was cooler than average due to rain cooled air and cloud cover. Highs reached the upper 70s. Temperatures are expected to build in the next couple of days. Expect clear skies Wednesday night with lows in the upper 50s. Winds from the west at 5-10 mph. Sunshine makes a return to Siouxland on Thursday with highs in the lower 90s. Winds from the south at 10-20 mph. A stray nighttime thunderstorm is possible Thursday night with lows in the lower 70s.
FIRST ALERT: Severe weather possible Monday evening
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Monday was hot and a little humid with daytime highs peaking in the low 90s. Severe storms are possible along a weak cold front late Monday into Monday night. We have issued a First Alert Weather Day for Monday evening and night. Most of the KTIV viewing area is in a Slight Risk (category 2/5) of severe weather. Initially, a few isolated thunderstorms could pop up along the cold front in the early evening, if they can overcome the cap.
FIRST ALERT: Severe weather possible Sunday and Monday
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - We started Sunday morning with severe storms containing high winds and heavy rain. Temperatures were in the 80s with high humidity. Unfortunately, more strong to severe storms are expected from Sunday evening into Sunday night. We have issued a First Alert Weather Day for Sunday. Heat and humidity will stay steady, providing plenty of instability for thunderstorm development late Sunday into Sunday night.
FIRST ALERT: Several days of active weather ahead
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Saturday was hot and humid with daytime highs peaking in the low 90s. Thunderstorms began developing in the afternoon. There’s a small chance they could become severe with high winds and large hail. Storms will continue to linger throughout much of Saturday night. They should be widely scattered, so not everyone will see a storm. If storms can strengthen, they will be capable of half dollar size hail and 60 to 70 mph winds. Thankfully, the tornado threat is unlikely.
A few small storm chances to end the work week
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Thursday was quite warm and humid with daytime highs in the middle to upper 80s. A small severe storm chance exists into early Thursday night. There’s a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms in far northern and western Siouxland Thursday evening and night. At this time, there are a lot of questions whether storms will actually make it into the area or form at all.
FIRST ALERT: Isolated strong to severe storms possible Wednesday and Thursday
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Isolated severe thunderstorms began to pop up in the early afternoon on Wednesday thanks to building heat and humidity. Highs peaked in the low to middle 90s. Severe storms are expected to remain isolated through the evening hours on Wednesday, tapering off by midnight. A Severe Thunderstorm WATCH is in effect until 10pm. Skies will stay mostly cloudy Wednesday night with a few very isolated showers or thunderstorms into the overnight.
Microbursts the cause of damage across Siouxland Monday, June 2
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Rain, hail and high winds hit Siouxland communities on June 2, causing damage in several cities throughout the area. The storm damage was not caused by tornadoes. The National Weather Service confirmed that “microbursts” damaged buildings, brought down tree limbs, and uprooted trees across Siouxland. So, let’s get into what a microburst is and how it is formed. A microburst is just straight-line winds that form in a very specific manner.
Benign funnel clouds seen across Siouxland
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Funnel clouds were reported across Siouxland Tuesday and Wednesday. These funnels are called “cold core,” “cold air” or “shear” funnels in meteorology. They are very different from traditional funnel clouds associated with severe weather. One such funnel was captured by Matthew Rydstrom just outside Rembrandt, Iowa, around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Cold core, cold air, or shear funnels are usually very brief and rarely touch the ground or cause damage.
Showery Memorial Day weekend
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Thursday was a bit warmer with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s. While we saw some sunshine in Siouxland, there was a preponderance of cloud cover at times. More clouds roll in with rain that will stick around for the holiday weekend. Some clearing is possible early Thursday night before more clouds move in well after midnight. Showers will develop in far western Siouxland by dawn. Overnight lows in the low 40s. Showers will spread east throughout Friday.
Science Academy Episode 32: Chemical Bonds
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Gather your supplies! In this episode we will learn about chemical bonds...or when two things mix together and form a new substance through bonding ions. The glue has long flexible molecules called polymers. These polymer molecules slide past each other like a liquid. Borax in water forms a borate ion, meaning an electrically charged atom that’s ready to be stolen by another chemical.
Wind and cooler weather to stay, some showers possible
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Thursday started with a few showers and thunderstorms on the radar, but the sky cleared up some by the afternoon. Daytime highs were in the morning, thanks to a cold front. Temperatures dropped slowly throughout the daytime. The cooler weather is here to stay, thankfully. Things will clear out a bit more on Thursday night. It will stay quite breezy, wind gusts will die off after midnight, but sustained winds will stay between 15 and 30 mph.
Hot and dry Mother’s Day weekend
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Friday was quite warm with plentiful sunshine and daytime highs in the middle to upper 80s. More heat will build into the weekend. Friday night will be partly cloudy with light and variable winds and overnight lows in the low 50s. Highs jump to near 90 degrees on Saturday with easterly winds at 10 to 15 mph. Saturday will be very sunny and dry. Lower 90s will pop up again on Sunday with breezy winds hopefully cutting the heat a bit.
KTIV Videographer honored with Briar Cliff GOLD Award
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - KITV’s own Joseph McMahan was honored at the 2025 Toast to the Tassel event on Thursday, May 8. McMahan received the GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award. This award is presented each year to a Briar Cliff alumnus who demonstrates “a commitment to living the Franciscan ideals of service, caring, and openness to all.” Joseph McMahan is a Videographer and Drone Pilot at KTIV.
Hy-Vee to host free ‘Thank a Farmer’ events in Cherokee and Estherville
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Breakfast from Hy-Vee is free to farmers in Cherokee and Estherville, Iowa, on Monday, May 12. Hot and cold breakfast items, in addition to coffee, will be available for area farmers and their families from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. as a show of appreciation from the local grocery chain.
Sioux City announces upcoming bridge closure on West Street
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Beginning May 19, West Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic in Sioux City. This is due to the city’s engineering division’s West Street Bridge Replacement Project. Construction is expected to last from mid-May through mid-October 2025. A detour will route residents from East Loop Road to West Loop Road and K18S during the closure. This project was awarded to Dixon Construction for $871,718. It’s funded through the federal City Highway Bridge Program and local money.
Small shower chance Wednesday afternoon
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Tuesday was warm and quiet with light and variable winds and very sunny skies. Daytime highs peaked in the low to middle 80s. High clouds return Tuesday night with very mild overnight lows, in the low 50s. Clouds will thicken up from the south as Wednesday wears on. Showers will be possible Wednesday afternoon, a rumble of thunder or two can’t be ruled out. Rain accumulations will be light and few and far between.
Scattered thundershowers possible through Friday
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Wednesday was mild and comfortable with some sunshine in spots and showers in others. Highs reached the middle 60s. More showers to come Wednesday night through Friday. Expect more cloud cover to roll in Wednesday night with scattered thundershowers possible. Overnight lows around 50 degrees and south winds at 10 to 15 mph. Widely scattered thundershowers will continue off and on Thursday with some sunshine trying to peak through by Thursday afternoon.
Chilly, but sunny, start to the week
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - A cold front pushed through the area Sunday night which will lead to a chilly, but sunny Monday. TODAY: Sunny with a slight breeze. Highs in the upper 40s. Winds: N 10-20 mph. TONIGHT: Clear and calm. Cold. Overnight lows in the low 20s. Winds: E 5-10 mph. TUESDAY: Partly cloudy and breezy. Daytime highs near 60 degrees. Winds: S 15-25 with gusts to 35 mph. THIS WEEK: Our next chance for precipitation will be small around midweek.
Low water on the Missouri River brings low chance of flooding from ice jams
Share SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - On Wednesday, we showed you how the Missouri River, in Sioux City, had frozen over (see below). Now river levels on the Missouri are rising. Monday morning, the National Water Prediction Service registered the Missouri River at just over 6 feet. On the morning of Thursday, Feb. 20, the river level was over 13 feet. Thankfully, the flood stage is 30 feet. We spoke with National Weather Service Hydrologist Andrew Kalin about what this ice could mean for those along the river.
Sioux Falls company testing high-altitude balloons over Siouxland
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KTIV) - It’s a bird... it’s a plane... it’s a Chinese spy balloon? “No, they’re all built right here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. So no, they’re South Dakota balloons, not Chinese balloons,” said Russ Van Der Werff, the vice president of Stratospheric Solutions for Aerostar. Aerostar, formerly Raven Industries, is a company that’s been sending balloons to the top of our atmosphere since the 1950s.
Debris found for miles after Friday's severe weather
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Residents have found debris in their yards after severe storms and tornadoes hit the tri-state region Friday evening. These photos were found in yards from Onawa to Blencoe, Iowa. The photos were reportedly thrown by the tornado in Elkhorn, Nebraska. KTIV's Cat Taylor says debris has been reportedly seen as far north as Anthon, Iowa. Anyone with information regarding the owners of these documents or others they have found can contact KTIV at ktivnews@ktiv.com.
I Hate Silence-Page One
OCTOBER “I hated silence.” I typed these words onto my cheap, school provided laptop in an attempt to get out what I was feeling. I turn to look out the car window to a rainy, bustling Seattle. The city noise filtered through the music playing in my earbuds, filling my mind with static. I start typing again. “The eeriness of it. It was too much.
Contemporary Māori art book wins top prize at 2023 Book Design Awards Original
A book celebrating contemporary Māori art has been named the best designed book in Aotearoa at the 2023 PANZ Book Design Awards in Auckland. Toi Tu Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, edited by Nigel Borell and designed by Tyrone Ohia, with layout by Katrina Duncan, features more than 200 artworks by 110 Māori artists from the 1950s until now.
The missed traditions at Westminster
The statue of Aunt Em welcomes the Westminster campus community with the return of in-person classes Aug. 18. First-year students are recommended to take a picture with Aunt Em to ensure they will have a good college experience, according to Maggie Regier, a Westminster alum with a degree in community, health and leadership. From Late Night Breakfast to convocation, Westminster has over 140 years worth of traditions.
Westminster requires COVID-19 vaccinations by Oct. 15
Westminster prepares for the upcoming Fall semester Aug. 9. Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 July 27 updates, Westminster has revised its COVID-19 safety guidelines to require vaccinations by Oct. 15, 2021 and masks indoors. Westminster requires all staff, faculty and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15.
Featured Slider Archives - The Forum
Administration & Student Government / Featured News / Featured Slider Westminster requires COVID-19 vaccinations by Oct. 15 Westminster requires all staff, faculty and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15. The college will also require the community, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in...Read More
Life-threatening cold through Tuesday along with more snow
Hazardous snow conditions combined with the extreme wind chills expected will combine to create a life-threatening situation, especially to anyone who may get stranded because of the snow. User: Frank Waugh, CBM KAKE To: link The greatest concern is wind chill values. Air temperatures overnight will range from -10 to -20 degrees, and with winds blowing 10-20MPH, wind chill values of -25 to -35 will be relatively common across most of KAKEland.
Winter storm to bring all types of precipitation to KAKEland
No significant changes in the forecast since yesterday... Freezing rain still expected to move into southern Kansas after midnight tonight and fill in across the southern half of KAKEland through the morning. While accumulations are not expected to be big, this will create a slick commute on Tuesday morning. Freezing rain will change to rain from south to north through the morning into the early afternoon with rain getting up to I-70 shortly after noon.
Three rounds of winter weather on the way to KAKEland
After an amazingly mild stretch of weather across KAKEland, we've got some big changes on the way as a series of weather makers take aim on the central plains. Three rounds of winter weather are possible over the next seven days across the state. ROUND 1: Friday will be dramatically colder thanks to the passage of a cold front, highs will be in the low 30s to low 40s with off and on light rain and snow. The over all accumulation on Friday should be fairly limited.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Cat
Contact Cat, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack