Brittany Lockley

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After the last system brought heavy rainfall and flash flooding, this next system will bring more snow to the region as colder air filters in behind it. Snow chances will increase across parts of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas through Saturday, with roads likely turning slick during the day and into the evening hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/GLsnow2-1768015586398.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Temperature Drop</h1>After the first low moved through on Thursday, temperatures began to drop dramatically. The second storm system following closely behind will reinforce the cold air and help generate additional snowfall this weekend. While many Midwest locations are expected to see generally light accumulations, some areas could pick up a few inches by early Saturday, especially where snow bands linger longer. Farther east and north toward the Great Lakes, snowfall totals may be higher as lake-enhanced snow develops, boosting accumulations in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 144350-1767995044269.png">Wind chill values will also become quite cold, dropping some of these temperatures to well below zero. Strong winds could worsen conditions, particularly near the Great Lakes, where blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility at times. Gusty winds may also lead to drifting snow and isolated whiteout conditions, especially in lake-effect-prone areas. Travel impacts are likely to be greatest overnight into Saturday morning, and drivers are urged to use caution as conditions change rapidly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 144535-1767995141102.png">The heaviest snow is expected around the Great Lakes in northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin, where lake effect snow bands will be possible. There could be over 6 inches of snow in these areas by the end of the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 144641-1767995208131.png">Make sure to stay alert to updated winter weather alerts and forecasts, as small shifts in storm tracks or temperatures could lead to changes in snowfall totals and timing across the Midwest through the weekend. For the latest in the Central Region, tune in live at :30 past the hour or get it on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app.

Dave Holder

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

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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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Tonight and Saturday we are keeping a close eye on severe weather possible in the Deep South. A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of Louisiana and Mississippi into Saturday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768014966811.png"><h1>Outlooks &amp; Timing</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768015008970.png">This evening's outlook covers areas from east Texas through Alabama, with a level 2 (slight) risk from Huntsville, TX to Montgomery, AL, meaning storms are expected to be slightly more widespread, stronger, and could last longer. All modes of severe weather (wind, hail, and tornadoes) will be possible. The tornado potential is at a level 2 from Louisiana through central Alabama<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 161526-1768000532300.png">Warm and moist air is expected to keep the atmosphere unstable, and daytime heating has helped increase the instability enough to lead to scattered severe storms. Those storms could intensify later this evening, with some persisting into the overnight. Be sure to review your tornado safety plan and have multiple ways to get severe weather alerts that can wake you up!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1768015105435.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Severe storms will remain possible through Saturday afternoon, including the continued threat for tornadoes. The tornado threat for Saturday stretches from New Orleans through Atlanta.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 115920-1767985174324.png"><h1>Rain &amp; Flooding</h1>Rainfall rates are increasing significantly this evening across the south, with 1-2" per hour possible, possibly more. The radar has already estimated between 4-7" of rain in Mississippi today. This means some areas could receive 4-6 inches in a short period of time, leading to a flash flooding potential. A Flood Watch remains in place for portions of the South through Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 162020-1768000830162.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768015210459.png">The WPC has issued a level 3 outlook for excessive rainfall (flash flooding) for today, with areas from Louisiana through east Tennessee most likely to see flooding develop. If you live in a flood-prone location, review your flooding plan to seek higher ground if flood waters threaten.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768015259888.png">Catch updates during our top weather headlines (:00, :20, :40 past the hour) or get the latest regional update for the East and Central U.S. at :10 and :30 past the hour.

Jesse Kelley

Tornado Threat Elevated Across the South Through Saturday

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The Northeastern U.S. has been one of the more active regions of the country so far this winter in terms of ice and snow, with plenty piling up around the Great Lakes and into New England. A warmer system is tracking through the Northeast as we end the week, followed by a colder weekend system that is expected to bring back ice and snow.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 073813-1767969556610.png">Saturday will see quickly changing temperatures, with sub-freezing air down to I-80 in the morning hours. With warmer air overhead, this could lead to freezing rain mixing with snow Saturday before colder air and more widespread snow return on Sunday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1768015439189.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Saturday, colder air returns to the I-90 corridor, allowing higher elevations to see a mix of ice and sleet, while lower elevations experience rain. Heading into Sunday, much cooler air develops in northwesterly flow, allowing for light snow to fall, though it looks to mostly impact areas closer to the Great Lakes versus the I-95 corridor.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768015495201.png"> Freezing rain and sleet forecasts are potentially significant for some areas into Saturday, with Upstate New York and New England expected to deal with slick conditions and accumulations of ice.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768015533204.png">Snow will mostly be on the lighter side for most areas with pockets of moderate rainfall (1-2" on the high end). Flash flooding is not expected, but some nuisance flooding (ponding on roadways) is possible. The mountains in New York and New England will see potential for heavier snow, upwards of 6-10 inches. Flash flooding is not expected, but some nuisance flooding (ponding on roadways) is possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 145203-1767995530089.png">Temperatures will be quite warm with the first two waves of low pressure, before the cold front arrives Sunday into Monday. Get the latest in the Northeast in the East Regional Forecast anytime with the WeatherNation app - or tune in live at :10 past the hour!

Another Round of Ice and Snow for the Northeast This Weekend

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Tracey Anthony

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This first full week of January has brought many record highs across the country, with plenty more falling on Friday. But... not so fast. There is a big cooldown in the forecast, and it will hit fast over the weekend!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 4-1767968499810.png">Incredibly, even before the noon hour on Friday, numerous major cities had already felt record warmth for the day! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 160607-1767999974103.png">As this latest system and its associated cold fronts push east, many will see temperature drops substantially. However, some of us will still be feeling the springtime warmth to start the weekend! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 160741-1768000068113.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-09 161109-1768000278819.png">Some cities are in for a little temperature whiplash this weekend! Daytime highs are expected to plunge 20-30 degrees as this system rolls across the east on Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 7-1767968785017.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web 8-1767968795739.png">

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

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It has been one year since the Palisades and Eaton fires burned through local communities in Los Angeles County on January 7, 2025. The lasting impacts are still being felt across the region, both on the ground and in the atmosphere. The fires took 31 lives and burned down 18,000 buildings and homes.&nbsp;The fires ignited during a period of extreme fire weather, fueled by prolonged drought, critically low humidity, and strong offshore winds. The Palisades&nbsp;fire initially started with an open flame in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. Firefighters were able to contain&nbsp;the flames above ground, but the fire continued to burn underground. At the time of ignition, relative humidity values dropped into the single digits, while wind gusts frequently exceeded 40 to 60 mph, creating ideal conditions for the rapid spread of the fire. The National Weather Service even issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation for these fires. These factors allowed flames to move miles in just hours, overwhelming containment efforts during the initial stages. The Palisades fire grew to 23,707 acres.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 041825-1767784832298.png">The Eaton Fire ignited in Altadena shortly after the Palisades Fire. In this fire, close to 10,000 homes were destroyed and 19 lives were lost, as the fire ravaged 14,021 acres by the time of its containment on January 31, 2024.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07 04-18-40-1767784809714.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Rainfall deficits leading up to the fires played a major role in their intensity. Many areas had received less than 50 percent of their average precipitation over the previous 6 to 12 months, resulting in exceptionally dry vegetation. Live fuel moisture levels were near record lows for late season, and energy release components, an index used to measure potential fire intensity, were well above climatological averages. &nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 040748-1767784265056.png">Once the fires were established, towering smoke plumes injected particulates high into the atmosphere, degrading air quality across hundreds of miles and prompting repeated air quality alerts as fine particulate concentrations surged well above health-based thresholds.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2025-12_2025-01-09_g18_abi_meso_geocolor-fires-1767898580832.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>In the aftermath, the weather continued to complicate recovery. The first significant rain events following the fires produced short bursts of heavy rainfall, falling on soils unable to absorb water efficiently. Rainfall rates of just a half inch per hour were enough to trigger runoff, mudslides, and debris flows within burn scars. Damaging roads and infrastructure months after the flames were extinguished. Emergency managers were forced to pivot from wildfire response to managing the floods, highlighting the compound risks associated with extreme weather.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 091018-1767802242571.png">A year later, both fires are on California's most destructive fires list. Weather and climate data show early signs of ecological recovery, but also ongoing vulnerability. Native grasses and shrubs have begun to return, aided by winter&nbsp;rainfall.&nbsp;The Palisades and Eaton fires now serve as a stark example of how weather extremes, heat, wind, drought, and heavy rainfall are reshaping wildfire behavior. &nbsp;

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

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