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.

Jesse Kelley

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After an active week of severe weather in the South and heavy snow in the Plains, the forecast is planning to chill out some in the upcoming week. The big weather story will be record warmth in the West and much cooler air dropping south into the Gulf Coast. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768102131400.png">Lets start with the pattern in the West. Record highs could be possible for parts of the Northern Rockies especially in Montana. Check out the temperatures in Great Falls, Montana. Highs will be flirting with the 60s!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768102231070.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768102261111.png">As we move eastward, below average temperatures are looking likely for the Southeast. Numerous records fell in the last few days. A strong cold front slides southward during the second half of next week. Some of the early signs show possibly some winter weather for parts of the Mid South? We will keep a close eye on both.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768102425399.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768102460185.png">

Looking Ahead to the Next Week's Pattern

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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 into the overnight hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1768101530881.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Temperature Drop</h1>The second storm system will follow closely behind Friday's system on Saturday to reinforce the cold air and help generate additional snowfall this weekend. 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.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768075919789.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/2026/01/1-1768076013377.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/2026/01/1-1768076065520.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.

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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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 Northeast Friday, but another wet and colder system is expected to bring back ice and snow tonight through Sunday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-10 063224-1768052229457.png">Saturday will see quickly changing temperatures, with sub-freezing air down to I-90 by the early afternoon. With warmer air overhead, this could lead to freezing rain mixing with snow Saturday evening into Sunday morning before colder air and more widespread snow return on Sunday afternoon. As a result, Winter Weather alerts have been issued for parts of New England. Take it slow on the roads tonight if you are traveling.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1png-1768074845138.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/New Baron Video 3-1768101293465.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>With the colder air in place, higher elevations will 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/Screenshot 2026-01-10 063240-1768052313056.png">Freezing rain and sleet forecasts are potentially significant for some areas into Sunday, with Upstate New York and New England expected to deal with slick conditions and accumulations of ice and sleet.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1768101345102.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/2026/01/1-1768075145616.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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The first days of January have brought many record highs across the country, with more falling across the Southeast on Saturday. However, as the front passes through, residents in these areas will feel a noticeable cooldown by the 2nd half of the weekend!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-10 160855-1768086546197.png">As this latest system and its associated cold fronts push east, many will see temperature drops substantially. The state of Florida, sans the Panhandle, will squeeze out another warm day on Sunday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-10 160955-1768086602759.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-10 161138-1768086706764.png">Temperatures may stay on the cooler side as we head into the 2nd half of January. In fact, the Climate Prediction Center has high confidence in below-average temperatures for next weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-10 161223-1768086823183.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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<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!

Alana Cameron

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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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With the Kentucky Derby right around the corner, we're going to focus on the weather prediction rather than trying to predict the winner of the horse race!

<img class="size-large wp-image-90957" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/05/Capture6-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" /> The forecast for the Kentucky Derby in Louisville between Friday and Sunday, May 4-6

Saturday is the day to watch! Right now there is about a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day.

<img class="size-large wp-image-90958" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/05/Capture5-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" /> The forecast for the Kentucky Derby Saturday May 5, 2018 where temperatures are shown along the red line and chances of rain are shown in green.

So far, it appears that the chance of a passing shower or thunderstorm remains consistent (around 40%) through the afternoon and early evening. Race time is around 6:30 p.m. eastern. Temperatures should be hovering around 70 degrees.

<img class="size-large wp-image-90959" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/05/Capture4-1-728x408.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="408" /> The surface weather map for Saturday afternoon, May 5 where gray shows clouds, green shows rain, the 'H' high pressure, and the blue cold front.

A cold front is going to be sitting just southeast of Louisville (not labeled above, but lies between Indy and Lexington) and will create that chance of a passing shower or thunderstorm. Most of the rain that you see here will be moving to the east-northeast, away from Louisville. However since the cold front and heavier rain will be so closeby, we've kept the chance in there for now.

Thus at this time, it does not look like the horses and trainers will be dealing with a mucky, muddy track. The weather should be generally favorable, assuming these showers miss the track. Wind will be light, around 5 miles per hour, and the sky will be partly cloudy.

<a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/news/forecast-for-the-most-exciting-2-minutes-in-sports/">Related Article: Weather Extremes in Derby History</a>

Now to the big question this year: Are there any weather-related horse names?

Unfortunately not. Maybe Firenze Fire? Or Flameaway? (Since we deal a bit with fire weather) But that seems like a stretch.

Remember last year's Thunder Snow? We were really excited to watch that one!

<a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/news/picking-thunder-snow-derby/">Related Article: Picking Thunder Snow in the Derby?</a>

Perhaps this year our WeatherNation team will be rooting on Promises Fulfilled, in hopes that our forecast for this year's Kentucky Derby is right!

For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier

Derby Forecast: Rain or Shine?

Looking Ahead to the Next Week's Pattern

After an active week of severe weather in the

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

After the last system brought heavy rainfall

Another Round of Ice and Snow for the Northeast This Weekend

The Northeastern U.S. has been one of the mor

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

The first days of January have brought many r

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

It has been one year since the Palisades and

Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

Outlooks & TimingFriday night and Saturda

Snow Returns to Ski Country

It's been a slow start to the ski season for

Derby Forecast: Rain or Shine?

Looking Ahead to the Next Week's Pattern

After an active week of severe weather in the

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

After the last system brought heavy rainfall

Another Round of Ice and Snow for the Northeast This Weekend

The Northeastern U.S. has been one of the mor

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

The first days of January have brought many r

One Year Later: Palisades and Eaton Fires

It has been one year since the Palisades and

Severe Threat Has Ended in the South

Outlooks &amp; TimingFriday night and Saturda

Snow Returns to Ski Country

It's been a slow start to the ski season for

Outlooks & TimingFriday night and Saturda