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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While cold Arctic air has been a major story across the Great Lakes and Northeast recently, another factor associated with the Arctic air will be an increase in lake-effect snow. Winter Weather Alerts are in place through Wednesday for some areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot20260119082129png-1768836090711.png">Unfortunately, a 100+ car pileup is being reported near Zeeland, Michigan on I-196 due to the wintry roads. Numerous injuries and a complete shutdown of the area have been a result of this incident.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 122754-1768850880364.png">The system working through tonight will bring another shot of cold air, flowing over the not-completely-frozen Great Lakes, with will keep that lake effect snow machine turned on.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/0119-1768836180660.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As we head into the week, the orientation of the winds will be parallel to Lakes Erie and Ontario, bringing heavy and steady snow bands to the favored areas downwind, including Buffalo and Watertown.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 082312-1768836196425.png">This will lead to some Winter Storm Impacts across the Great Lakes. Specifically, those in Buffalo and Watertown, NY could see moderate to even major winter storm impacts over the next few days. These areas are where the heaviest of the snow is expected to be. Tune in to WeatherNation:10 past the hour for your full Eastern Regional Forecast.

Alana Cameron

Lake-Effect Snow Causes 100+ Car Pileup in Michigan

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Adrian Hernandez

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During the winter months, many of us are no stranger to chilly temps and downright unbearable cold. However, Mother Nature often times likes to bend the rules a bit. A weakening polar vortex is likely to spell trouble for the High Plains late this week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-19 09-36-31-1768833409902.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>But what is the polar vortex? You can think of it as a permanent area of low pressure that stays at the Earth's poles! A strong polar vortex does a good job of keeping that arctic air where it needs to be. However, during the winter months, a weak polar vortex can allow some of that air to sink into the U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web1-1768833952146.png">This polar air will have some pretty hefty impacts across the High Plains. Thermometers will read values well below zero, but once you factor in that wind, the wind chill will take you down to 30 below zero in places like the Twin Cities, and Bismarck.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web2-1768834373542.png">But it gets worse, lets say you find yourself in northern Minnesota. Duluth could see wind chill values as low as 60 degrees below zero! Downright dangerous cold!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-19 09-49-45-1768834469540.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>These temperatures will also seep into the northeast, bringing wind chill values out in New York City down to 6 degrees below zero Sunday morning!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web5-1768834523759.png">Reminder to keep yourself bundled up to the max headed into the late week! Frostbite can occur in mere minutes when the wind chill values get below -42 degrees! It's important to limit your skin exposure to the elements during this time as well!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web8-1768835305901.png">Make sure you stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest on these temperatures, and how we can keep YOU safe through these frigid temperatures!

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

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Sub-freezing temperatures made their way into the South and Southeast once again Sunday into Monday, with lows in the 30s as far south as South Florida! Temperatures this morning (above) dropped down to 25 for Jacksonville, FL and 28 in Atlanta, GA.Temperatures in West Palm Beach, FL plummeted Sunday nearly 20 degrees in a matter of hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 at 7.52.36 AM-1768827330048.png">These chilly temps were cold enough to stun cold-blooded Iguanas, which are an invasive species.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2012155375894806776" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2012155375894806776"></div>Freeze Alerts remain through Tuesday morning. These are typically issued at the start or end of the growing season, but in the case of Florida, the growing season is a little more ambiguous. These have been issued because frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 081545-1768835791051.png">Temperatures by mid to late week will return closer to normal for overnight lows.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 081657-1768835821378.png">

Cold Stuns Iguanas as Another Cold Snap Reaches South Florida

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Kevin Schneider

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The snow that fell in the south has barely melted and we're already moving onto the next chance? You're probably already seeing people on social media posting about the threat, so let's talk about it.<h1>SETUP</h1>Air that's normally locked up around the poles looks to break off from the region. From there, it will slide southward, invading the southern states. Sub-freezing temperatures will settle in behind this Arctic front, potentially as early as Friday. At the same time, a disturbance will roll onshore from Baja California, providing the lift and moisture needed to cause problems. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 080800-1768835289723.jpg"><h1>TIMING</h1>This is where we could see the trickiest part of the forecast, not named precipitation type. Models have been a little all over the place pushing the cold air in, with some as early as Friday afternoon. If that pans out, the Friday evening's commute could be in some trouble. Saturday feels like a safer bet to see trouble, especially in the morning. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 080829-1768835315736.jpg"><h1>UNCERTAINTY</h1>There's a lot riding on when the front moves in. The overall picture of what looks to be shaping up is fairly consistent. Rain turning into freezing rain before becoming sleet and snow seems to make the most sense, given how the setup looks. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-19 080851-1768835338441.jpg"><h1>WHAT YOU SHOULD DO</h1>With this likely not moving in until at least Friday afternoon, there's plenty of time to prepare. Know what your plans are on Friday and if they're negotiable. This far out, we still only look at forecast trends, before honing in on specific totals.

Snow & Ice Threaten the South This Weekend

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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!

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<h1>MONDAY AM UPDATE: </h1>WEEKEND SNOW TOTALS: MERCER, WI - 5.9"CEDAR, WI - 5.8"SEA GULL LAKE, MN - 5.5"HAWTHORNE, WI - 5.5"IRONWOOD, MI - 2.5"UPPER MIDWEST - Blizzard warnings have ended for the northern plains, but some of the conditions on Sunday were rough. In particular, the Red River Valley of the North. Dangerous driving conditions persist. Winter Weather Advisories will drop off from West to East throughout the day, with several in Michigan in place through early Tuesday AM. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/IMG_2816-1768830888261.jpg">Behind this system, bitter cold will rush in with wind chill factors that will drop down to the negatives. Cold weather advisories have been issued for this area for wind chill factors that could get as cold as 40 below zero.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-18 155136-1768776702501.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/01-18 rnc wind-1768791350541.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more on this region, be sure to join us at :30 past the hour for you central regional forecast.

Cold Stuns Iguanas as Another Cold Snap Reaches South Florida

Snow & Ice Threaten the South This Weekend

Dangerous Cold follows Weekend Blizzard Conditions in the Northern Plains

Lake-Effect Snow Causes 100+ Car Pileup in Michigan

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

Cold Stuns Iguanas as Another Cold Snap Reaches South Florida

Snow & Ice Threaten the South This Weekend

Dangerous Cold follows Weekend Blizzard Conditions in the Northern Plains

Lake-Effect Snow Causes 100+ Car Pileup in Michigan

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

Cold Stuns Iguanas as Another Cold Snap Reaches South Florida

Snow & Ice Threaten the South This Weekend

Dangerous Cold follows Weekend Blizzard Conditions in the Northern Plains