WeatherNation Meteorologists

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Conditions are improving in California after a dangerous situation evolved earlier this week as extremely dry conditions and offshore winds fueled explosive fire growth in Malibu. Light rain is in the forecast on Thursday with onshore flow continuing into the weekend. These conditions will hopefully allow firefighters to contain the fire and allow residents to return home.Related Article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/particularly-dangerous-situation-developing-in-southern-california">Fire Concerns Continue in California</a><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-12 081035-1734016246969.png">Monday night, a spark ignited close to Malibu, quickly growing into thousands of acres burned in the Franklin Fire. Road closures and mandatory evacuations remain in effect as of Thursday morning. Nearby shelters for those evacuating include Palisades Recreation Center and Santa Monica Unified School District. The fire is over 4,000 acres but has started to see some containment.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 064828-1734097740562.png">Flames have been surrounding Pepperdine University in Malibu, with some students seeing flames from campus! Those students at Pepperdine had been told to shelter in place.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1866437712162787812" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1866437712162787812"></div>The Pacific Coast Highway has been closed for many locations aside from those evacuating.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1866425100117151886" src="https://x.com/CaltransDist7/status/1866425100117151886"></div>

Brittany Lockley

Some Containment on the Franklin Fire in Malibu, CA

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Rain and snowfall totals will pick up across the West as several systems moves onshore Friday into the weekend. A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for the southern Cascades of Northern California, where up to 2 feet of snow is possible. The warnings continue down through the central Sierra Nevada.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 063316-1734097227036.png">Northern California should now monitor for flooding from Friday and Saturday. A Flood Watch has been issued for parts of Northern California through Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 064102-1734097274626.png">The first wave is moving through, and the next wave is following closely behind. Heavy rain and snowfall will be present with these waves. This could lead to impacts on travel, especially going to higher elevations.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-13 06-46-51-1734097658118.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Between the two systems , the southern Cascades and the Northern Sierra could be looking at a few feet of snow. Travel impacts will be likely.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 064214-1734097355588.png">Coastal areas will see the highest rainfall totals reaching upwards of 4 inches through Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 064221-1734097365165.png">More on your Western Regional Forecast can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Active Weather Returns to the West Through the Weekend

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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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Arctic air has been funneling into the Great Plains and Upper-Midwest this week, which will set the stage for significant ice potential Friday night into Saturday. Winter alerts have been issued from Kansas through Wisconsin for a mix of ice and snow. Ice storm warnings are in effect Saturday morning in eastern Iowa (below) where power outages and difficult travel are more likely.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 055523-1734094651261.png">Downed tress and power lines are possible with ice accretions over 0.25", especially when wind gusts could top 30 mph. Prepare to be without power for some time if you live in these areas, just in the ice does accrete quickly. The good news is, rain should quickly help to improve conditions, but that may not happen until after trees and power lines are affected.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-12 115315-1734030063615.png">Freezing rain and accumulating ice happen when a warm layer of air above the surface melts snow as it falls, before it reaches freezing temperatures again on the ground.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-12 115324-1734030045845.png">Notice the area where warmer than freezing temperatures aloft (&gt;32°) sit atop subfreezing temperatures at the surface (&lt;32°). We can also look at a vertical section of the atmosphere to see it another way.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-12 115404-1734030204073.png">The potential for freezing rain begins late Friday evening through much of Saturday morning before warmer air at the surface turns everything into rain. Travel should improve quickly Saturday morning as the rain begins to fall. Delay traveling for several hours Saturday morning until temperatures are consistently above freezing.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-13 06-12-38-1734095669504.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Ice accretions (ice accretes instead of accumulating) should mostly be a tenth of an inch or less, but in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, they could range from 0.1" to 0.4".<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 061234-1734095610282.png">Stay with WeatherNation for the very latest on this developing situation!

Ice Storm Warning Issued for Portions of the Midwest

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Winter weather alerts remain in effect off of the Great Lakes as another round of lake-effect snow continues. Cold air and strong W to NW flow behind a cold front are helping to spur this round of snow. These conditions will gradually back off on Friday while rain and a wintry mix return to the region around another low-pressure system to end the weekend.Lake effect snow happens when relatively colder air moves over the unfrozen water of lakes. The colder air picks up moisture from the lakes, making it less dense and causing it to rise. Clouds and precipitation begin to form and efficiently start producing snow. Because the Great Lakes still have water temperatures in the 40s, any lake effect events will be prolific producers (as we have seen this season).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-10 075322-1733842962777.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-12 045053-1734004265445.png">Snowfall rates will begin to lessen quickly Friday morning near Lake Erie, but it will take longer around Lake Ontario. Friday's lake effect should be more manageable for most areas before it ends overnight into Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-13 05-18-51-1734092373471.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Potential Snowfall Totals and Impacts</h1>Light snow is expected on Friday, except for area east of Lake Ontario where another 6-10 inches are possible by midnight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-13 051814-1734092303797.png">Tune into Weather Nation for more details.

Lake Effect Snow Winds Down Friday

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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.

Jesse Kelley

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A severe threat earlier on Wednesday has since been dropped from the Storm Prediction Center. This same system will move to the east and offshore, taking the moisture with it. Most will be dry by Thursday and with winds out of the west, we see the lake-effect snow increase. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/fefedass-1733973242909.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>A widespread swath of 2-4 inches in New England will be more than enough to lead to flooding issues.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/1-1733960606943.png">High winds will also be possible, with wind gusts up to 60 mph.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-11 070430-1733926420474.png"><h2>SNOWY SIDE</h2>With a strong trough, there will be strong temperature changes. As temperatures plummet behind this front, the cold air will catch up to some of the moisture. That will turn some rain over to snow late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Right now, this doesn't look like a big snow, until the lake effect machine ramps back up on Thursday and Friday. But an inch or two will be possible from eastern Kentucky up through New England.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/1-1733960674020.png">The latest forecast for the eastern region can be accessed anytime on the WeatherNation app, or streaming at :10 past the hour.

Jackie Brown

Front Moves Through The Northeast

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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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The infamous Santa Ana winds stick around through today. With the setup expected, the NWS office in Los Angeles has issued a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION RED FLAG WARNING, the highest order of fire weather warnings.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-11 072746-1733927271216.png">The last time a PDS Red Flag Warning was last month before the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/fire-danger-in-california">Mountain Fire</a> burned 19k acres. Prior to that, it was 2020 when the NWS office in Los Angeles issued one.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/SOT_TRT .23_ SHORTENED VERSION OF WHAT IS A PDS FIRE WARNING_MS_E110624-1733752027892.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Elevated fire danger remains for Southern California through today.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-11 032559-1733912765100.png">Explosive wildfire growth will be possible with any grass fire that erupts. Do anything and everything to prevent a spark or a flame these next 3 days.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-09 062926-1733750973516.jpg">

Fire Concerns Continue in California

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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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Heavy rain continues to the South and Southeast this week. A slow-moving cold front will combine with Gulf moisture, bringing heavy rain and flooding concerns. Rainfall got over 4.50" in Alabama on Tuesday. Heavy rain continues again for Wednesday, but it is just one element with these storms, as a severe threat will be there into the evening. Right now, the Storm Prediction Center has issue a slight risk for the North Carolina. However, a marginal risk stretches down into the state of Florida. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-11 072321-1733927014296.png">Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms will follow the frontal boundary through Wednesday. Rainfall amounts of up to 5 inches will be possible for the heavier totals.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-11 07-25-45-1733927211328.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As this system moves east we can see strong to severe storms on Wednesday. Cities like Tallahassee, Wilmington, and Charleston have the potential for damaging winds and tornadoes. The best timing for the strong storms will be in the afternoon.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot 2024-12-11 070357-1733927128250.png">As the front moves eastward, the severe threat follows it, largely lining up in the Carolinas. Stay tuned to the forecast for any additional changes. Catch your East Regional Forecasts at :10 past the hour or your Central Regional Forecast at :30 past the hour, every hour.

Severe & Flood Threat For The Southeast

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The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Hector to a 85 mph hurricane this morning (Thursday). The cyclone is located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, about 1135 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The storm is no threat to any land areas.

https://twitter.com/NHC_Pacific/status/1025018704042631169

The cyclone is pretty compact, with hurricane force winds only extending out 15 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds extend out 60 miles. Hector is moving west at 15 mph.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-94843" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/hector.png" alt="" width="1524" height="815" />

Strengthening is expected over the next few days, with moderately warm water temperatures and limited wind shear to the north of the storm. Hector is forecast to reach major hurricane status of category three strength this weekend, increasing to 120 mph winds into next week.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-94842" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/08/hector-states.png" alt="" width="1522" height="860" />

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels

Hector Now a Hurricane in the Eastern Pacific

Some Containment on the Franklin Fire in Malibu, CA

Conditions are improving in California after

Active Weather Returns to the West Through the Weekend

Rain and snowfall totals will pick up across

Ice Storm Warning Issued for Portions of the Midwest

Arctic air has been funneling into the Great

Lake Effect Snow Winds Down Friday

Winter weather alerts remain in effect off of

Front Moves Through The Northeast

A severe threat earlier on Wednesday has sinc

Fire Concerns Continue in California

The infamous Santa Ana winds stick around thr

Severe & Flood Threat For The Southeast

Heavy rain continues to the South and Southea