Kevin Schneider

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As troughing sets in across the Pacific, high pressure will shift farther east into the Plains and Midwest through the weekend into next week. This will lead to a major warm-up for some areas, with record highs possible. Saturday, North Platte, NE reached a record high of 74 degrees and more could be possible next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-06 063750-1770385457730.png">By Monday high temperatures soar to about 30 degrees above average in areas like Lincoln, Sioux Falls, and Des Moines, with temperatures well into the 60s and even 70s!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-08 043848-1770550756689.png">Temperatures will be well above average across portions of the plains. Some cities will see temperatures in the 60s and 70s! Lincoln, NE normally averages 38° but will see a high of 72° on Monday. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/KNJ-1770590885412.png">Numerous records could fall over the next few days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/ern3-1770549668346.png">The warming temperatures will mean impacts from melting snow and ice, particularly where ice jams become a hazard. A flood watch has already been issued for eastern Nebraska for ice jam flood potential.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web2-1770549714946.png">Another side-effect of the warmer weather is wildfire concerns. As winds kick up to 20-30 mph on Monday, areas of eastern New Mexico and the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas need to be mindful of grass fire ignitions. Anything that gets going could spread quickly, as dry as this area has been recently. The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting these areas with CRITICAL fire weather conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-08 043541-1770550617779.png">For the latest forecast in your region, head to the WeatherNation app to watch anytime, or tune in at :10, :30, and :50 past the hour from east to west!

Jackie Brown

Record Heat Moves from West to Midwest

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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.

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A trough of low pressure has allowed arctic air to funnel into the Northeast! Extreme Cold Warnings are in effect for the Northeast through Monday morning. Temperatures will be dipping below zero for cities like Burlington, Bangor, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Wind chills will also be impactful.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web1-1770548800204.png">Cities that will already be extremely cold will be impacted by wind chills. Buffalo will have a low of -7°, and a wind chill factor of -21°. New York will have a wind chill of -3° to start Monday morning. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/wind chillsss-1770591853791.png"><h1>Where does this year's cold rank?</h1>While it has been a cold winter, there have been many colder winters in the history of weather observations in the Eastern U.S. Most of these areas have weather data dating back to the 1800s, so getting into the bottom half or even bottom quarter of rankings is still impressive.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-06 094753-1770397848980.png">As we look ahead, temperatures will remain below average. In New York City, expect temperatures to be in the 30s this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/still belowww avfff-1770592046423.png">More details on your Eastern Regional Forecast can be found :10 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Extreme Cold to Impact Millions in Northeast

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Dave Holder

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California has not had significant precipitation in the last few weeks. Although the reservoirs are doing well, several sites in the Sierra Nevada are at record low snowpack, as conditions have only been deteriorating with the lack of moisture. Luckily, the pattern is beginning to change!<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/KJN-1770590984302.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Portions of Northern California will receive beneficial rain and snow from the system in the Pacific Northwest. More of the state is in position to receive heavy rain and snow by the beginning of next week, as a strong upper-level trough digs south along the coast. Models are indicating that the most impactful of the weather is expected on Tuesday, particularly over the higher elevations of the mountains, where heavy snow will be falling.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web1-1770564774084.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web2-1770564812397.png">While totals won't be incredibly dramatic, a foot of accumulation will be possible, helping to boost current snowpack numbers.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-07 143746-1770500344571.png">Winter Weather Advisories have now been issued from roughly Mt. Lassen to the Sequoia National Forest, going into effect by late Monday and lasting until Wednesday afternoon.

Rain and Snow Return to California on Sunday

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Brittany Lockley

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The championship of the National Football League is set to be decided this Sunday. The Seattle Seahawks will face the New England Patriots for the right to claim the title at 3:30 PM PT Sunday. But will the weather have a say in who is hoisting the trophy at the end of it?Weather conditions look favorable for the big game this weekend, especially for an outdoor event in early February. Forecasts point to a mild and comfortable setup, with temperatures expected to settle into the upper 50s to near 60 degrees around kickoff. While it may cool slightly as the evening goes on, conditions should remain pleasant enough for fans in the stands with a light jacket.&nbsp;<h3>PATTERN BREAKING DOWN</h3><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web4-1770549373360.png">Skies are expected to feature a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day, with cloud cover increasing later in the afternoon and evening. A marine influence could allow for some low clouds or patchy fog nearby, but widespread visibility issues or major weather disruptions are not anticipated at this time. Any moisture in the area appears limited, keeping the chance for rain low during game time.&nbsp;If you plan on attending any of the pregame festivities this week before the game kicks off, no issues at all either.Winds are also forecast to stay relatively light, which is good news for both players and spectators. Without strong gusts or cold air moving in, the weather should have little impact on gameplay or travel to and from the stadium.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/big gamesss-1770574456964.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Overall, the big game forecast is shaping up to be a good one, weather-wise. Mild temperatures, calm winds, and mostly dry conditions should make for an enjoyable experience, whether you are attending in person or celebrating outdoors ahead of kickoff.&nbsp;Stay with us as we iron out the details on the big forecast for the big game on Sunday.

Big Game Looks Dry

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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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Snow blew through much of the Northeastern United States on Friday, dropping between 1-6 inches from Indiana to Virginia. As the low pressure system slowly exits New England on Saturday, additional snow is expected to pile up. Some locations in Massachusetts already picked up near a foot of snow with several more inches expected by sunset.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1770493198909.png">While most winter weather alerts already expired Saturday morning, alerts in New England will last through tonight, including the winter storm warning for areas like Gloucester. An additional 2-4 inches of snow are possible.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1770493415461.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1770493462363.png">Get the latest forecast for the Eastern U.S. at :10 past the hour on air, or use the WeatherNation app to watch the latest anytime.

Jesse Kelley

Heavy Snow Lingers in New England Saturday

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Following a surge of wet storm systems in December and early January, snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains has shrunk considerably. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted a snow survey on Friday, January 30th, to assess current conditions and discuss impacts. Snowpack was determined to be 55 percent of normal, down from 89 percent in early January, which has since dropped further. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/5cyXPAy4Cac">Click here</a> to watch the survey report.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-04 113103-1770236816380.png">California and much of the West have been under the influence of a massive blocking ridge of high pressure. This has kept storms charging to the north into Canada before descending across the Midwest and Eastern United States, which has been under siege from cold and snowy systems.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-05 154857-1770331744830.png"> The lack of January storms has left an abysmal snowpack across the Western United States, with record low numbers at many of the monitoring stations in the mountains. It hasn't just been a lack of storms, but also warm weather, which has led to high elevation snow and low elevation rain or melting.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-04 171742-1770250669542.png">The good news is that California has had three wet winter seasons preceding this year, which have left reservoirs with plenty of water. About 30 percent of the state's drinking water comes from the snowpack.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-05 154642-1770331615239.png"> While the short-term looks mostly dry for the west, above-average precipitation is favored in the medium-range forecast as the jet stream pattern could flip around the middle of the month. While full recovery of the snowpack across the entire west is unlikely, several moisture-packed storm systems could greatly benefit the region.

California Snow Pack Drops After Dry January

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Following a historic winter storm last weekend, another round of wintry weather moved across the Carolinas earlier on Thursday morning. Perhaps the biggest impact from the front will be another round of cold temperatures, which will further delay snowmelt across the region and continue to impact people in Mississippi, who have been without power for nearly two weeks following an ice storm.<h1>Carolina Snow and Ice:</h1>Although the snow and ice threat diminished earlier this evening, isolated slick spots will still be around through the morning on Friday. Here is a look at some of the snowfall that took place this morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/PIC 2-1770309464464.jpg"><h1>South Cold</h1>Another round of frigid temperatures will follow the front. Cold weather advisories have been issued for wind chills down into the low 20s on Friday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1770322297809.png">Overnight and through Friday morning, freeze warnings have been issued for Florida and southern Georgia. However, temperatures won't be as cold as those we experienced last weekend in the South.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-05 075657-1770303433033.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-05 172127-1770337293216.png">Make sure to stay tuned to WeatherNation, as we'll continue to track this system for you!

Another Cold Night for Residents of the Southeast

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It’s an amazing sight to see, an alligator nose and mouth sticking through a frozen sheet of ice. The best thing about it is; that this is a natural response to cold conditions by alligators and it helps them survive freezing weather. 

The American Alligator like many other cold blooded reptiles, like it hot, but can survive in cold conditions.  When temperatures fall, alligators will slow activity and lose their appetite.  Even temperatures below 75° can slow down most gators who spend most of the winter in a hibernation-like state called brumation.

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Where alligators roam the waterways, freezing conditions and ice are rare, but when freezing circumstances present themselves the gators can still survive.

Most alligators will opt. to  excavate a den and hibernate until spring but will move to where it is the warmest when needed.  This past week in Brunswick County, North Carolina, as the coldest air moved in alligators took to the water which was warmer than the air.  

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Once in the water, alligators will position themselves with nostrils above the surface as ice forms around them.  Some may even get stuck in the ice for days before the ice melts and they can swim free.  

Alligators have persevered for thousands of years and it was reported that this one in North Carolina survive the cold and ice just fine.

Alligators Frozen in Place

Record Heat Moves from West to Midwest

As troughing sets in across the Pacific, high

Extreme Cold to Impact Millions in Northeast

A trough of low pressure has allowed arctic a

Rain and Snow Return to California on Sunday

California has not had significant precipitat

Big Game Looks Dry

The championship of the National Football Lea

Heavy Snow Lingers in New England Saturday

Snow blew through much of the Northeastern Un

California Snow Pack Drops After Dry January

Following a surge of wet storm systems in Dec

Another Cold Night for Residents of the Southeast

Following a historic winter storm last weeken