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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A blast of freezing air is heading south to end the week, with highs in the 30s and 40s as far south as Atlanta and Birmingham. Freezing overnight lows are expected to drop into Florida, prompting freeze alerts and the potential for stunned/falling Iguanas in South Florida.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 105349-1768413270916.png">There are Freeze Watches in effect for portions of the Southeast, including a large chunk of Florida. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 105439-1768413293380.png">In addition to Freeze Watches, we also have cold weather advisories that have now been issued for Thursday night through Friday for wind chills as cool as the low teens.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 120928-1768417781086.png"><h1>Wind Chills</h1>Not only will the air temperatures be cold, but gusty winds will aid in forecast wind chills in the single digits and teens. Nashville will feel like 10° on Thursday morning, and Atlanta will have a "feels-like" temperature of just 13°! It will be a cold morning commute, so make sure to layer up!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-14 06-40-23-1768398454038.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As we look at the 7-day temperature plot for Nashville, you can see temperatures near normal on Wednesday, but by Thursday plummet to the 30s. On Friday, we see temperatures rebound to the 40s before another push of cold air moves in over the weekend.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/nashvill-1768330169720.png">Southern Appalachian Snow</h1>Scattered rain is expected along the front as it moves in across the Southeast Wednesday into Thursday, with some thunderstorms possible but not widespread. As the cold air catches up to the precipitation in the Southern Appalachians rain will turn to snow Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-14 06-48-35-1768398544359.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Snow will mostly be confined to higher elevation areas, with a dusting to an inch possible outside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The higher elevations along the NC/TN border could see 3-6" of snow, possibly more in the Smokies, where a winter storm warning has been issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 105610-1768413382685.png">Winter alerts have been issued where snow could accumulate to impact travel. I-26 and I-40 could see impacts, with bigger impacts over Sam's gap on I-26 (higher elevation) compared to I-40.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 064815-1768398613747.png">For your eastern regional forecast, tune into WeatherNation :10 past the hour.

Alana Cameron

Arctic Air Blasts The South Twice This Week

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Originally born in Spokane, Washington,  Jackie's Dad was in the Air Force which led her to a life of travel. She has lived in Wichita, Okinawa, Japan, Baltimore, New Jersey, Indiana and South Carolina.  After graduating from Kadena High School, in Okinawa Japan, she got a full basketball scholarship to Coppin State College. On the court she was a 4-year starter and reached over 1000 points in her basketball career. She was also named Athlete of the Year for the whole university in 2002. Off the court, she earned a degree in Broadcast Production/English.

After college, she landed a job as a radio personality. Jackie went on to have a successful career for 12 years working at KXLY broadcast center. While on the radio, she decided to change career. Jackie went back to school, graduating from the Mississippi State Meteorology Broadcast Program. From snow, to tornadoes, to hurricanes, she has had experience forecasting all these events.

Jackie Brown

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The Warmth continues across the west. A ridge of high pressure and downsloping winds will be key factors to help bring warm air across the Northwest and Southwest this week. Records can be seen all across the West today and tomorrow! A handful fell yesterday, including Montana, where temperatures in Great Falls broke into the 60's<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 043158-1768390374710.png">Additional records were broken in the rest of the northwest on Wednesday, too, including cities like Seattle, Washington, which hit 58° on Tuesday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 105817-1768413533072.png">While not nearly as many will rewrite record books, a few new numbers could be added.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 075938-1768402793160.png">Temperatures today will range from 10° - 20° degrees above average. Billings, Montana, will see a high of 64°, almost 30°above average! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 080001-1768402805884.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 105936-1768413583314.png">The southwest will be above average as well. Most cities will be around 10-15 degrees above average. Today, Los Angeles has a forecast high of 83°, almost 20° above the normal! The warmth will stick around for most of the week across the southwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 105955-1768413600218.png">There remains high confidence that temperatures will remain above average across the west from January 18 - 22. The highest confidence is across California and Nevada.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 110021-1768413626750.png">For more information on your Western Regional forecast, tune into WeatherNation at :50 past the hour.

Record Warmth in Store For the West

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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 trough of low pressure is diving south, bringing multiple waves of precipitation over the next few days. Areas from the Great Lakes down to the south will have a shot at some rain, ice, and snow.<h1>Timing &amp; Alerts</h1>At the surface, an Arctic front will work its way south. As it dives south, we can see lake effect snow around the Great Lakes, and as it continues south, rain and snow through Thursday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/01-14_east bams-1768413713087.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Winter weather advisories are in place across the Great Lakes, with a few advisories in effect across the higher elevations of Tennessee and North Carolina.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 110054-1768413724020.png"><h1>Forecast Totals &amp; Impacts</h1>Snow totals will be around 1-4 inches, with localized heavier amounts where heavy bands of snow set up. Portions of Michigan and Northern Illinois have the potential to see localized foot of snow through Thursday night. Across the south, snowfall totals are on the lighter ends, with the heaviest of it in the higher elevations. Rainfall totals will be on the lighter side with around a quarter of an inch or less through Thursday night.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 110059-1768413730562.png">Winter storm impacts are expected to be minor to moderate for this part of the country.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-14 110218-1768413742733.png">Tune into WeatherNation :10 past the hour for the latest updates on this forecast.

Snow and Rain From the Great Lakes to the South

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Kevin Schneider

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You wouldn't think we had enough snow in the mountains to bring on avalanches, but that's the case. All it takes are two differing layers of snow and you could have a problem. Insane footage came out of the past weekend, where a group of snowboarders got caught up in one, thankfully living to tell the tale.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2010788181818618102" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2010788181818618102"></div>This comes on the heels of two losing their lives in Washington over the last weekend in an avalanche.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-13 062416-1768310799259.jpg">We talked to Brian Lazar of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center about staying safe and what other factors go into avalanche danger.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBfX8wgfPHg" start="0"></iframe></div>

Avalanche Danger Continues Out West

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h1><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/national-climate-202513">COURTESY: NCEI Assessing the U.S. Temperature and Precipitation Analysis in 2025</a></h1><h2>Annual Key Points:</h2><ul><li>For the first time since 2015, no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. or its territories during 2025.</li><li>The tornado in Enderlin, North Dakota, was the first verified EF-5 since 2013.</li><li>The Eaton and Palisades Fires were the second- and third-most destructive California wildfires on record, respectively.</li><li>The Texas Hill Country experienced a 1-in-100- to 1-in-1,000-year flood event that killed at least 135 people after nearly two feet of rain fell in just a few days.</li><li>Utah and Nevada set new annual temperature records, with Utah eclipsing its previous record that had stood since 1934.</li></ul><img src="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/Notable-Weathe-Climate-US-132025_Final_2.png" alt="Map of the U.S. showing locations of notable weather and climate events in 2025 with text describing each event and title at top stating “Notable Weather and Climate Events: 2025”. " title="Map of the U.S. showing locations of notable weather and climate events in 2025 with text describing each event and title at top stating “Notable Weather and Climate Events: 2025”. ">Map of the U.S. notable weather and climate events in 2025.<h2>Other Highlights:</h2><h3>Temperature</h3>Annual temperatures across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) averaged 54.6°F in 2025, which was 2.6°F above the 20th-century average and ranked as the fourth-warmest year in the 131-year record. Temperatures were above average nationwide, with the most pronounced warmth across the western third of the country. Averaged across the entire region from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/reference-maps/rockies-and-westward">West Coast through the Rocky Mountains</a>, this area recorded its warmest annual temperature on record.<img src="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/grid-ranks-tavg-202501-202512_0.png" alt="Map of the U.S. showing temperature percentiles for 2025 with warmer areas in gradients of red and cooler areas in gradients of blue. (Courtesy of NOAA NCEI.)" title="Map of the U.S. showing temperature percentiles for 2025 with warmer areas in gradients of red and cooler areas in gradients of blue. (Courtesy of NOAA NCEI.)">Map of the U.S. Mean Temperature Percentiles in 2025.Based on average annual temperatures across <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/reference-maps/">NOAA climate regions</a>, the Southwest saw its warmest year on record; the West and Northwest both ranked third warmest, and the South tied for its fourth-warmest year. Statewide, Utah and Nevada recorded their warmest years on record at 4.3°F and 3.7°F above their 20th-century averages, respectively. In total, a dozen states experienced one of their four warmest years. At the county level, 62 counties across 10 states—more than eight million people—recorded their warmest year on record.Annual temperatures in Alaska averaged 29.5°F, 3.5°F above the 1925–2000 average, ranking as the ninth warmest in the 101-year record. Much-above-average temperatures persisted through most of the year, producing the third-warmest January–November statewide, though a notably cold December lowered the annual ranking.Hawaiʻi recorded an average annual temperature of 67.0°F, 0.7°F above the 1991–2020 average, placing the year within the warmest third of the 35-year record.<h3>Precipitation&nbsp;</h3>The CONUS received an average of 29.19 inches of precipitation in 2025, 0.73 inch below the 20th-century average, placing the year in the driest third of the 131-year record. The annual average does not fully reflect some of the pronounced regional wet and dry patterns seen throughout the year: the western U.S. experienced drier-than-average conditions in the first half of the year, followed by wetter-than-average conditions late in the year, while central and eastern regions generally saw above-average precipitation in spring and early summer, then below-average totals in the fall.&nbsp;<img src="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/grid-ranks-prcp-202501-202512_0.png" alt="Map of the U.S. showing precipitation percentiles for 2025 with wetter areas in gradients of green and drier areas in gradients of brown. (Courtesy of NOAA NCEI)" title="Map of the U.S. showing precipitation percentiles for 2025 with wetter areas in gradients of green and drier areas in gradients of brown. (Courtesy of NOAA NCEI)">Map of the U.S. Total Precipitation Percentiles in 2025.Much of the Southwest and Southeast ended the year below average, with deficits exceeding one foot in parts of the Southeast, while the central and northern Plains, along with the western Ohio Valley, were wetter than average. Kentucky had its 10th-wettest year on record, with over a third of its counties receiving more than a foot above their average annual rainfall.Alaska received 39.72 inches of precipitation in 2025, 3.02 inches above average, placing the year within the wettest third of the 101-year record. Hawaiʻi recorded a total of 41.96 inches, 19.77 inches below average for the state, or about 68 percent of normal (1991–2020), marking its third-driest year in the 35-year record.<h3>Tropical Cyclones</h3>Despite the lack of U.S. landfalls in 2025, the North Atlantic hurricane season was active, producing 13 named storms, including five hurricanes and four major hurricanes; this amount was near the long-term average. The season was particularly notable for three Category 5 hurricanes—Erin, Humberto and Melissa—the second-most to form in a single year. While Erin and Humberto remained offshore, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica at peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph—tying with the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane as the strongest landfall on record in the Atlantic Basin and ranking as the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2025. Although no direct landfalls occurred, remnants of tropical systems—including Super Typhoon Halong (Alaska) and Hurricane Priscilla (Southwest)—brought flooding impacts to the U.S. late in the year.<h3>Floods</h3>2025 was characterized by widespread and significant flooding, driven by a combination of atmospheric rivers, slow-moving convective systems and tropical moisture. Significant flood events were observed in every season and region; July alone recorded 1,434 flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service—the second-highest July total in 40 years. Several historic precipitation events overwhelmed infrastructure, producing 1-in-1,000-year rainfall recurrence intervals in parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas. These events resulted in significant loss of life; catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country in July resulted in at least 135 fatalities, while recurring storms in the Ohio Valley and severe weather across the South contributed to dozens of additional fatalities throughout the year.The year featured stark regional extremes, beginning and ending with strong atmospheric rivers that impacted the West Coast; notable events in February, November and December caused widespread damage and fatalities in California and the Pacific Northwest. In the interior, stalled spring fronts produced historic rainfall across the Lower Ohio Valley, while summer saw a shift to the Northeast, where record-breaking rainfall rates inundated the New York City metro area. Unique hydrological extremes also marked the year, including a record-breaking glacial outburst flood in Alaska, tsunami-induced flooding in Hawaiʻi and deadly flash floods over wildfire burn scars in New Mexico.<h3>Tornadoes</h3>The preliminary U.S. tornado count for 2025 was 1,559, ranking as the fifth-highest on record and 127 percent of the 30-year (1991–2020) average. The year was marked by several notable extremes, including 300 preliminary tornado reports in March—a new March record—more than three times average. In addition to the Enderlin EF-5 tornado, five EF-4 tornadoes occurred in Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois and Kentucky. At the state level, North Dakota shattered its previous annual tornado record of 61 (set in 2010), with 72 tornado reports in 2025.<h3>Wildfires</h3>The number of wildfires in 2025 was approximately 105 percent of the 20-year (2001–20) average, with more than 72,000 wildfires reported. The total number of acres burned from these wildfires—5.0 million acres—was 72 percent of the 20-year average of nearly seven million acres.Southern California experienced some of the year’s most destructive fires. Fueled by Santa Ana winds gusting up to 90 miles per hour and dry conditions, the Eaton Fire burned 14,000 acres, while the Palisades Fire burned more than 23,000 acres and was the most destructive wildfire on record for Los Angeles. Together, these fires damaged or destroyed over 18,000 structures during January and were responsible for 31 fatalities. Later in the year, the Gifford Fire became the largest wildfire for California in 2025, burning over 131,000 acres across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in August.In Arizona, the Dragon Bravo Fire burned more than 145,000 acres between July and September, making it the largest wildfire of the year in the U.S. and the 10th-largest in Arizona history.Alaska had a below-average 2025 wildfire season, with approximately one million acres burned—about two-thirds of the state’s 20-year (2001–20) average.<h3>Drought</h3>The drought footprint across the CONUS experienced marked fluctuations during 2025, following a distinct pattern of spring expansion, early summer contraction and autumn resurgence. The year began with 38.1 percent of the lower 48 states in moderate to exceptional drought (D1–D4). Coverage expanded steadily through March, reaching a spring peak of 44.7 percent on March 25. Widespread precipitation then drove a substantial decline, with drought coverage falling to its annual minimum of 29.6 percent by June 3. However, this improvement was short-lived. Drought conditions intensified during late summer and autumn, with coverage increasing rapidly to a yearly maximum of 46.1 percent on October 21 and again on November 18. By the final week of the year (December 30), drought coverage had eased slightly but remained elevated at 42.8 percent, leaving a larger portion of the country in drought than at the start of 2025.<h3>Snowfall</h3>The 2024–25 snow season featured above-average snowfall across parts of the mountainous West, central Plains, Gulf Coast, Southeast and Ohio Valley, while below-average snowfall occurred across much of the Great Basin, southern Rockies, northern Plains, Upper Midwest and portions of the Northeast.The 2025–26 snowfall season to date (October 1–December 31, 2025) saw above-average snowfall across much of the Midwest and Great Lakes region, with lake-effect areas receiving more than a foot above average for this period. In contrast, much of the Mountain West and High Plains received lower-than-average snowfall, particularly the Cascades, Wasatch and Uinta and the northern and southern Rockies, with the exception of the Sierra Nevada and parts of the northern Cascades, Bitterroots and middle Rockies.&nbsp;

Year in Review: 2025 4th Warmest on Record

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Most of the lower 48 has been missing out on a lot of Winter. Areas along the West Coast and Great Lakes have had an active Winter, but other than them, many along or east of the Rockies have been quiet so far. Not Alaska.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 100656-1767805655200.png">Heavy snowfall towards the end of 2025 was enough to sink boats around Juneau. By the end of the month, the airport in Juneau had measured more snow than any December prior, and it wasn't even close! Over 80 inches of snow fell throughout the month, with multiple daily records sprinkled in.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 100846-1767805743282.png">We spoke with the National Weather Service office in Juneau, Alaska to learn more about this historic snowfall.UPDATE: January 11th, 2026<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3FsdYGphtqE" start="0"></iframe></div><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zhaLChRQkac" start="0"></iframe></div>Since 2026 has rolled around, it has only kept snowing. Areas from Anchorage to Haines have picked up close to 20 more inches of snow. Not to mention it's been coming in with limited visibility with some blizzard conditions. Another system moving in threatens to bring warmer temperatures along with additional precipitation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 101334-1767806446476.png">Residents have been asked to clear any clogged storm drain nearby, with officials giving the okay to dump "clean" snow into nearby bodies of water. The weight of the snow has caved in roofs in addition to sinking boats in local harbors.<h1>WHY ARE WARM TEMPERATURES BAD</h1>You would think a nice thawing out would help ease problems in Alaska but it could actually cause more harm. If temperatures warm enough to end the week, rain falling on top of snow will help rapidly melt the pack. Then, everything is running off, not just the rain. This could lead to significant flooding in the area.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-12 07-37-04-1768228685920.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Record Snowfall Sinking Boats in Alaska

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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 brought rain and gusty winds to the Northeast on Friday, but another wet and colder system keeps some snow around through tonight. Winter Weather Alerts (above) have been issued for parts of New England. <h1>Looking Ahead This Week</h1>Another wave of rain, snow, and cool air will keep the Northeast active this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 154414-1768171512872.png">Moisture will start out over the Great Lakes and move into the Northeast. Areas across the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley will also see some rain and snow out of this next wave midweek.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/0111-1768171578207.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Accumulations will not be impactful, but this is still something to be on the lookout<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 200410-1768187056067.png"> for this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 154722-1768171648552.png"> Longer-range, the precipitation outlook for the Northeast has a drier than normal pattern.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 154814-1768171724103.png">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!

Snow Squalls In The Northeast

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Brittany Lockley

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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;

Jesse Kelley

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

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Meteorologist Jesse Kelley is excited to join the talented staff at Weather Nation. Jesse spent most of his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama. The state of Alabama is prone to seeing various types of weather from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter weather. For college, Jesse attended the University of South Alabama where he received his degree in Broadcast Meteorology along with minors in Math and Geography. From Alabama, Jesse started his broadcast television working three years at KAVU-TV in Victoria. Recently, he finished a stint in Shreveport, LA. Jesse and his wife are looking forward to making the Rocky Mountains and Colorado home. If you would like to follow me, you can follow me on Twitter @JesseKelleywx and on Facebook at Meteorologist Jesse Kelley.

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<h1>Outlooks &amp; Timing</h1>Friday night and Saturday morning was active tracking severe weather and flash flooding. We do have some good news as the severe weather threat has ended! The National Weather Service crews will be out surveying a few areas where tornadoes did touchdown across the South. Check out some of the damage Saturday morning as strong winds moved through Central Alabama.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/VO_011026_RSE_DALLAS COUNTY, AL_2 OF 3 DOWNED TREES AFTER TORNADO SWEPT THOGH SAT AM_FB_MS_E011026-1768076721260.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening hours, the showers and few embedded storms will continue to work their way east towards the Atlantic coast. The forecast will be drier and windier for Sunday across the South. It is possible the remaining storms could produced an additional half an inch to an inch of rain. The Flood Watch across Alabama and Georgia will expire later this afternoon.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1768076980959.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768076918937.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.

Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

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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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It's been a slow start to the ski season for a lot of our resorts out west, so any snow in the forecast should bring a little hope to the skiers and boarders out there. Winter weather alerts have been issued across the Four Corners through Friday. Totals will vary based on elevation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174402-1767833193610.png">Across Arizona and New Mexico, we've been getting rainfall, and that will continue overnight. In the meantime, snow will start to pile up in Colorado, Utah, and the higher elevations of the southern Four Corners.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/01-07 rsw rsc-1767833203813.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Through Friday, some of our ski resorts could max out around a foot. For the Colorado Rockies and resorts of Utah, we'll be fortunate enough if we see around 9" to one foot for resorts like Vail and Steamboat Springs.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174409-1767833222196.png"><h2>Denver Area</h2>Models are starting to get better correlated on what the outcome for Thursday's snowfall is. Temperatures look to be a bit cooler, cool enough to support upwards of 1-5" of snow in the Denver area.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 154256-1767825841035.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174716-1767833250369.png"><h2>Salt Lake City</h2>SLC has seen barely any snow this season. So far, we've only had 0.1" of snow downtown. The forecast from the National Weather Service has a forecast of 1-2" in the city.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 154348-1767825872371.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-07 174723-1767833255996.png">Whether you're hopeful or skeptical of this forecast, be sure to join us on WeatherNation live for the latest breakdown of these forecasts!

Snow Returns to Ski Country

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NORTHEAST - We've had a series of clipper systems move from the Northern Plains over the Great Lakes and past the Northeast over a lot of the Christmas holidays. Now that we're back for the first full week of work and school, we have more of the same. Through tonight, winter weather advisories have been issued for portions of northern New England for a bit of sleet, ice, and a couple of quick inches of snowfall. This will likely lead to slick spots on the road tonight and tomorrow morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web1-1767781875352.png">Here's a look at our forecast totals from now through Wednesday. Higher elevations may see more than a couple of inches, but otherwise, totals will be fairly minimal.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web2-1767781901208.png">Timing things out through Wednesday morning, we currently have a wintry mix pushing through the northeast along a frontal boundary and that will continue through Wednesday morning in these areas.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07 03-33-24-1767782032503.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h2>Next System To Watch</h2>After we receive a little bit of snowfall, another warmer system is set to move into the northeast as we head into the latter half of the work week. With warmer temperatures in store, this will likely bring in more rain than snowfall. That could lead to some slushy conditions, especially if you have snowfall on the ground in your area. Rain starts to push in Thursday through Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-07 03-32-08-1767782070128.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For more of these details be sure to join us LIVE on WeatherNation!

Adrian Hernandez

Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northeast

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<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2007919969460183293" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2007919969460183293"></div>One last push of the trough responsible for the heavy rain in California will kick off the week. This comes after several systems created major flooding and mudslides over the holidays. The threat of additional flash flooding (including with mudslides and debris flows) and heavy mountain snow will continues on Monday.<h1>Flooding Threat</h1>Flash flood potential is expected to continue through today with the WPC's excessive rainfall outlook at a MARGINAL (level 1 out of 4) risk.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-05 134424-1767645873195.png"><h1>Timing / Forecast</h1>There is still some lingering rain in northern California happening today through tonight. The surface low will parallel the coast through tomorrow and may bring some minor rain back into southern California.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/01-05_rsw california-1767645945817.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Snow &amp; Wind</h1><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2007829374213693448" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2007829374213693448"></div>Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for the Sierra Nevada as well as the Trinity-Shasta mountains through tonight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-05 134605-1767645972878.png">Snowfall totals moving forward are likely in the higher elevations but a couple inches over the Donner pass and up near Mount Shasta could cause road slow-downs on our interstates.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/we2-1767620172781.png">More details on your Western Regional Forecast can always be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Heavy Rain & Snow Winding Down Tonight in California

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After colder air settles into the Southeast earlier this week, warmer temperatures will briefly return ahead of an approaching storm system, setting the stage for severe weather.Here are some of the hail reports from Saturday's storms along the Gulf Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1767495361933.png">The low diving across the Mississippi Valley today will move through the Carolinas on Saturday, dragging a cold front across the Gulf Coast. As warmer and moist air surges north ahead of the boundary, more thunderstorms are possible tonight. Following the front, temperatures will stay warm and more sunshine will be expected for next week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1767495625178.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

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<h1>Northern U.S.</h1>In the North-Central U.S., an Alberta Clipper will help reinforce the cooler air as we move into the weekend. Morning lows and afternoon highs will be well below normal for many spots in the northern U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-02 131959-1767385206537.png">Be cautious of the wind chill; some of these spots may read above zero on a thermometer, but they will feel even colder than that. Some wind-chills could reach the single digits.Temperatures will not rise significantly in the afternoon. Check out the high temperatures to start the weekend! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-02 132146-1767385317298.png"><h2>Southern U.S.</h2>Frost and Freeze Warnings were issued earlier this week across portions of the South. Here is a look at the temperatures that kicked off 2026 on Thursday!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-01 074114-1767278487500.jpg">Temperatures have been warming back up to end the week. Many areas will be at or above normal with high temperatures into the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-02 132431-1767385475366.png">Make sure you stay tuned to WeatherNation, as we continue to monitor the cold air!

Chilly Air Across the Northern States

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As we say goodbye to 2025 and ring in 2026, many parts of the country can expect active weather for this year’s ball drop. In New York City, home to the nation’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, conditions will turn cool through the evening and overnight, with a low chance for a few light snowflakes around midnight. Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, dropping into the 20s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/PIC 2-1767206581020.jpg">Here’s an early look at the forecast: a few light snow showers may be possible on New Year’s Eve across the region, but accumulations are not expected.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/12-30_rne bams-1767123576095.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Did you know the first-ever ball drop originated in New York City back in 1907? Luckily for the spectators who gathered in Times Square on December 31, 1907, the weather cooperated. The day reached a high of 44°F with a low of 35°F, milder than the current normal high of 41°F and low of 30°F for December 31. Still, as the ball dropped at midnight, spectators definitely needed their winter coats, as the 35°F temperature felt colder with 20-mph west winds.Across the rest of the country, other unique “ball drops” will be taking place, and in many spots, the weather looks chilly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-30 172400-1767140647149.png"> Out west, some locations will stay relatively mild. In Boise, Idaho, spectators can enjoy the famous potato drop with temperatures around 40 degrees at midnight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-30 172354-1767140651187.png">In the Southeast, a giant peach will NOT be dropping this year in Atlanta; the city is opting for a New Year's celebration called Countdown Over ATL. Temperatures will still be cool if you're participating. Still, some other spots will be dropping unusual items such as a giant orange in Miami, a giant pineapple in Sarasota, and a giant conch in Key West, where temperatures will be in the 50s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-30 172347-1767140655771.png">Across the rest of the nation, some can expect a cool and rainy New Year's Eve like the southwest, and bitter cold in the northern Plains.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29 05-28-37-1767011338082.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For a more detailed look at the days leading up to the New Year, be sure to join us on WeatherNation all week long, we’re streaming 24/7!

Arctic Air Blasts The South Twice This Week

Arctic Air Blasts The South Twice This Week

Record Warmth in Store For the West

Record Warmth in Store For the West

Snow and Rain From the Great Lakes to the South

Snow and Rain From the Great Lakes to the Sou

Avalanche Danger Continues Out West

Avalanche Danger Continues Out West

Year in Review: 2025 4th Warmest on Record

Year in Review: 2025 4th Warmest on Record

Record Snowfall Sinking Boats in Alaska

Record Snowfall Sinking Boats in Alaska

Snow Squalls In The Northeast

Snow Squalls In The Northeast

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

Snow Returns to Ski Country

Snow Returns to Ski Country

Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northeast

Wintry Weather to Rain Chances In The Northea

Heavy Rain & Snow Winding Down Tonight in California

Heavy Rain & Snow Winding Down Tonight in Cal

Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturday

Severe Storms Target the Southeast on Saturda

Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Chilly Air Across the Northern States

Weather for the Ball Drop: What to Expect as 2026 Begins

Weather for the Ball Drop: What to Expect as