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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<h1>Forecast Timing</h1>A trough of low pressure is expected to combine with a cold Arctic air mass, bringing the potential for snow, gusty winds, and wind chills in the teens across the mid-south and southeast. Wednesday night, a frontal boundary will drop down from the north, bringing snow chances across this portion of the country through Friday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/coldsssy-1768158985134.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Snowfall Totals</h1>We are still a ways out, and the models are showing disagreement as far as snowfall totals. Our in-house model, Baron, shows up to a foot of snow across Northern North Carolina and Virginia, with portions of the Upstate in South Carolina seeing a few inches of snow. The Baron model also brings light snowfall down across portions of Mississippi and Alabama. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 155037-1768171846900.png">In contrast, the GFS model predicts some of the higher snowfall totals, around 6 inches. This model also has things a little warmer farther south, so the same areas of Mississippi and Alabama look less likely to see snowfall. But, portions of far northern Alabama and Georgia could see some light totals.<h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 155041-1768171879613.png">Temperatures</h1>Gusty winds can create some cold wind chills on Friday morning, with the feel-like temperatures in the teens.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 155244-1768171968859.png">From January 17 - 21, temperatures are expected to be below average. The highest confidence of this is across cities like Jacksonville, FL.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 155305-1768171992387.png">For the latest updates on this forecast, you can tune into WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your eastern regional forecast.

Snow Chances For The Mid-South and Southeast This Week

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Here comes the warmth again across the West! A ridge of high pressure and down sloping winds will be key factors to help bring warm air across the Northwest and Southwest this week. Records can be seen all across the Northwest through Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web1-1768132888516.png">Temperatures on Tuesday will range from 20°- 30° above average! Downslope warming will help cities like Billings and Missoula potentially break multiple records this week. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Billings, Montana, will be in the low 60s! This is almost 30 degrees above average! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/tuesday avv-1768160590446.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/record highs nill-1768160548352.png">The southwest will be above average as well. Most cities will be around 10-15 degrees above average. On Wednesday, Los Angeles will see a high of 83°, almost 20° above the normal average of 66°. The warmth will stick around for most of the week across the southwest.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/mom-weddd-1768160031699.png">There remains a confidence temperatures will remain above average across the west from January 17 - 21. The highest confidence is across California and Nevada.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-11 155716-1768172269110.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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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. Take it slow on the roads tonight if you are traveling.<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 impactfully high, but this is still something to be on the look out 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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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/web3-1768134124541.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">

Jackie Brown

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

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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 early morning hours.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-11 07-02-54-1768133002682.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/web5-1768133079141.png">Wind chill values will also become quite cold, dropping some of these temperatures below zero. Strong winds could worsen conditions, particularly near the Great Lakes, where blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility at times. Sunday morning brought some hefty wind chills below zero in the Twin Cities, but they have since backed off. Gusty winds may also lead to drifting snow and isolated whiteout conditions, especially in lake-effect-prone areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web2-1768133147332.png">Most of the heaviest snow has backed off by Sunday morning. What's left are a few lake effect bands that could produce heavy snow at times. All in all though, only roughly 1" and at most 3" of snow are expected across the Great Lakes by Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web2-1768133218530.png">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.

Adrian Hernandez

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

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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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It's official: 6 more weeks of winter according to Punxsutawney Phil who saw his shadow this morning. With only a 40% accuracy rate, we will leave the official forecasting up to our team of meteorologists! Groundhog day is a tradition dating back to German settlers in the U.S. who brought over the Christian holiday of 'Candlemas Day' on February 2nd. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://groundhog.org">groundhog.org</a>, "according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather". When settlers came to the U.S. hedgehogs were not as available as the groundhog, so a switch of animal occurred. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/groundhog-1675198180790.JPG">The first official groundhog day was on February 2, 1886, in Punxsutawney, PA. Looking back at the years, Phil has seen his shadow, and thus predicted 6 more weeks of winter the vast majority of the time - a whopping 85% of the time. Most recently, Phil saw his shadow in 2022 and 2023. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/phils stats-1675198118061.JPG">Regardless of the rodent forecast, WeatherNation will have the most up to date winter (and Spring) forecast information always streaming 24/7!

Groundhog Day 2023: 6 More Weeks of Winter

Snow Chances For The Mid-South and Southeast This Week

Forecast TimingA trough of low pressure is ex

Record Warmth in Store For the West

Here comes the warmth again across the West!

Snow Squalls In The Northeast

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

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

The first days of January have brought many r

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

After the last system brought heavy rainfall

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

Groundhog Day 2023: 6 More Weeks of Winter

Snow Chances For The Mid-South and Southeast This Week

Forecast TimingA trough of low pressure is ex

Record Warmth in Store For the West

Here comes the warmth again across the West!

Snow Squalls In The Northeast

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

Temperature Whiplash for the Weekend

The first days of January have brought many r

Rounds of Snow Returning to the Midwest

After the last system brought heavy rainfall

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

Outlooks & TimingFriday night and Saturda