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

JesseKelleyjpg-1675177127159.jpeg

After a period of a few dry weeks, we are gearing up for the next storm system to impact the western U.S. and bring more snow back to the Sierra Nevada. This comes after a February 1 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/california-snowpack-update-highest-snow-reading-in-6-years">snowpack reading at the highest levels in 6 years</a> by the California Department of Public Resources. There are winter weather alerts in effect for the Sierra Nevada from Friday night through Saturday as we could see snowfall in the range of 6 to 15 inches above 4000 feet, with 15 to 28 inches above 6000 feet. Wind gusts will be in the range of 50-60mph with gusts over the highest peaks possible at 100 mph! Rain starts overnight through the coastline of California along a cold front. We will see high elevation snowfall early Friday morning, continuing through the lunchtime hours. There will then be a lull in the snow forecast before another front arrives Saturday night and Sunday, providing more significant snowfall for over 24 hours through the northern Sierra.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2023-02-02 14-39-22-1675374248081.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Model indications are for over 3' of snow through the highest peaks Friday through Sunday! Some of this snow we will pick up overnight Thursday into Friday but most comes in our second push of snow on Saturday night. Although the highest snowfall totals will be felt in California, we could see accumulating snow all the way into the northern Four Corners. Totals in Utah could reach over six inches through Sunday evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/sierra snowfall-1675374175732.JPG">The other factor is the wind - with wind advisories in effect overnight Thursday into Friday for gusts in the range of 45-60 mph as the frontal boundary pushes ashore. Even stronger winds are anticipated through the peaks of the mountains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/wind alerts-1675374188128.JPG"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2023-02-02 14-40-51-1675374471556.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For the weekend, temperatures are going to be nice and warm in the Southwest with highs ranging from the upper 50 to the 70s. In Colorado and Utah, highs will be slightly cooler.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/1-1675372934952.jpg">We aren't done with the snow on Sunday; The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted the potential for heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada from Saturday through Tuesday of next week as multiple fronts move ashore.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/sierra outlook-1675373720608.JPG">Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the forecast and for your Western specific regional forecast, always join us at :50 past the hour.

Lucy Bergemann

Snow Returns to the Sierra This Weekend

1-1675372023085.jpg

<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>Lucy is originally from the Boston area but has spent the last four years forecasting and living in Colorado! She stayed in the northeast for her education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego with a B.S. in Meteorology. Just a few days after graduation, she made the cross country move to Colorado Springs, CO to begin her career at KKTV, the CBS affiliate. Lucy has covered historic blizzards, tornadoes, windstorms, the largest wildfires in Colorado state history and dust storms ... they truly "get it all" in Colorado! Lucy is excited to forecast on a national level and continue her passion of explaining the science behind the weather!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

LucyBergemannjpg-1675176764584.jpeg

The first round of snow have wrapped up for the Northeast. it did produce over a foot in parts of Upstate New York. A weak clipper system slides through the northern tier of the country today through Saturday bringing a light coating of snow to the upper Great Lakes (above). We will likely see pockets of lake enhancement and eventually lake effect snowfall behind the clipper. In Michigan, we have Winter Weather Advisories for the lakeshores of Lake Michigan and Superior. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/1-1675370577310.jpg">Once the system moves into New England, a BLIZZARD WARNING is in effect for far northern Maine tonight through Saturday. Despite, the forecast calling for light snowfall in Maine it will be the strong winds that could make travel dangerous!! <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/blizzy maine-1675363264002.JPG"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/lake effect and clipper-1675283790908.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Our front brings in arctic air Friday through Saturday to the Northeast, in some cases the coldest air ever on record. The brutally cold air in the upper levels of our atmosphere should be enough to combat the already cold surface temperatures of the Great Lakes. We generally need a temperature difference between the surface and 5000ft of 25°F for lake effect snow showers to be successful. As we are deep in the winter season, our lakes are at their coldest and those temperature differences can be hard to achieve.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/le criteria-1675283774122.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/forecast temps 850-1675283676573.JPG">Some of the lakeshores are covered with ice, but it is important that the "fetch", or distance the super-cold air travels over the lake, is exposed water. We see that through Lakes Huron, Ontario, and even Lake Erie despite it being the shallowest Great Lake.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675302218399.JPG">For more on the brutal cold, incoming snow, and weekend forecast in the Northeast and Great Lakes, join us for your top headlines and our eastern regional forecast, always :10 past the hour.

Clipper System & Lake Effect Bring Light Snow to the Northeast

1jpg-1675371215697.jpeg

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

RobBradleyjpg-1675177268467.jpeg

We have seen significant icing this week with ice causing problems from Texas to Tennessee from roadways to power outages. Over half a million people through the southern plains are without power today. Our top reports show nearly an inch of ice accumulation through Texas and nearly 2" of sleet into northern Arkansas. Given cold temperatures lingering, it will take some time for all of this to melt. Please do not try and travel even as this event is winding down.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/ice reports-1675349060783.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/ice since monday-1675349069230.JPG">Additional ice accumulations through the rest of the day today will be on the order of 0.10" - much less compared to what we've seen so far this week, but icy roadways are still anticipated and even if you don't receive any more ice or sleet today, we are cold enough that what is already on the ground isn't going anywhere. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/02-02 Ice 3k-1675344513985.JPG">Ice will continue to taper off through the late morning, but impacts will likely linger through the rest of the day. Black ice is possible overnight into Friday in areas that don't see evaporation. Power outages could persist for days in some areas, if not longer.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Ice Video today-1675363387012.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>If your power goes out, run generators at least 20 feet from the outside of your home and if you're using a space heater inside, put it at least three feet away from any flammable items.

Significant Icing Event Causes Widespread Power Outages & Halts Travel Through the South

poweroutagesJPG-1675348959418.jpeg

We are gearing up for some of the coldest air EVER on record in the Northeast this weekend. Temperatures will drop to well below zero throughout New York and New England, leading to the risk of damage from the cold (frozen pipes, burst pipes) and danger to people and pets. It all starts on Friday morning as temperatures will be in the single digits and teens and while the morning lows are brutal, daytime highs on Friday are potentially record setting. Everywhere you see a light pink dot is the opportunity to tie or break a record cold high temperature. Widespread highs in the teens are anticipated Friday with wind chill values running well below zero. If you must be outside, bundle up and limit exposed skin!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/record cold highs-1675348441837.JPG">Wind chill alerts extend toward New England as another surge of Arctic air is set to arrive. At these forecast numbers, frostbite can set in as quickly as 5 or 10 minutes on any exposed skin. It's always helpful to remind yourself to cover up any exposed skin before you venture outside, especially if you have to work outside. Layers, layers, and more layers!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/wind chill alerts-1675348554615.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/fri pm chill-1675348578785.JPG">Record setting and cold air doesn't stop on Friday night, Saturday morning will be incredibly cold in the Northeast and some of the coldest air EVER on record for the city. Many of these cold records date back to the 1880s, when modern weather record keeping began. Boston's record low of -3° was set in 1886. Brr!! To the north closer to the Adirondacks of New York, temperatures of -25 degrees could rival records as well. In these temperatures, frostbite can happen in less than 30 minutes of being outside.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/Capture-1675296330965.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/1jpg-1675303519330.jpeg">Layers, layers, layers! Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on the cold in your Eastern Regional Forecast, always :10 past the hour.

Life Threatening Cold Arrives in the Northeast Friday & Saturday

satlowvsavgJPG-1675348722382.jpeg

Arctic air from Canada has been grasping much of the central and western U.S. leading to the icy mess across the South. And after some slightly warmer weather Wednesday, another blast of winter is in place for the High Plains of the Dakotas and Minnesota to round out the work week. Wind chill alerts are in effect for North Dakota and Minnesota along with parts of Wisconsin. Wind chill values will quickly sink again as arctic air takes over. While we aren't anticipating huge wind gusts, even a little breeze at these temperatures can be extremely dangerous!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/setup midwest-1675350070438.JPG"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/central wind chills-1675349925910.JPG">At these forecast numbers, frostbite can set in as quickly as 5 or 10 minutes on any exposed skin. Cover up any exposed skin before you venture outside, especially if you have to work outside. Layers, layers, and more layers! The heart of the cold air will move east through the end of the week, with much warmer air quickly replacing it from the west. Still, expect the feels like temperature to be anywhere from 15-25 degrees colder than the actual temperature.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/thu high vs chill-1675349965124.JPG">The coldest air and gustiest wind moves in to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Friday. Places like Duluth, MN top out at feeling like -41 as high temperatures only climb to 2°.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/friday lows-1675349994955.JPG">Stay with us here at WeatherNation as we track the cold and please stay safe!

Single Degree Highs Return to the High Plains Thursday

currenttempsJPG-1675349944892.jpeg

Kara has always been passionate about weather and knew from an early age that she wanted to become a meteorologist. Living in different regions of the country and experiencing weather events ranging from ice storms to tornadoes drove her to pursue a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout college, storm chasing became a regular event for Kara, where she saw first-hand the power of the atmosphere. Kara graduated cum laude from OU and decided to further her meteorology education with a Master's degree from Mississippi State University. The deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak struck while Kara was studying at MSU; her first “Dixie Alley” tornado event and an up close glimpse into the destruction of the storms she so closely studied. Her broadcast career began in Elvis’ birthplace, Tupelo, Mississippi, where she earned her Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. Kara's career has included coverage of all types of severe weather including tornado events, flooding and tropical systems across multiple southern states. Recently she helped cover the 2020 Easter Sunday deadly tornado outbreak in southeast Mississippi. In her free time, you can find Kara outdoors exploring new areas with her mini poodle,Truffles. Kara is also an avid runner and frequently races in 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. Say hi to Kara on <a href="https://twitter.com/wxkara">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/karajameswx">Facebook</a>!

Kara James

KaraJamesjpg-1675177296077.jpeg

There has been a quieter streak across the Pacific Northwest recently, but more active weather is returning later this week. From the Cascades to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, heavy snowfall will be possible beginning on Friday. Closer to the coast, expect heavy rain from Southern Oregon into Northern California on Sunday.<h2>Outlooks</h2>The Weather Prediction Center has highlighted the potential of heavy snow in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington for this weekend and again for early next week. Across the Sierra and the mountainous areas of the Northwest, heavy snow is also in store for the weekend!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/1-1675305787933.jpg"><h2>Forecast</h2>By Thursday evening, the system will be moving in from the Pacific bringing with it heavy rain along the Oregon coastline and high-elevation snowfall. This is just the appetizer for what is to come later, on Friday night. Still, we could see accumulating snow and locally difficult travel over high mountain passes Thursday evening and Friday morning. There will be a lull in the activity through midday before more moisture pushes onshore later Friday evening. Heavy rainfall will be seen for mountain valleys and along the coastline.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2-1 RNW Bams Loop-1675307961846.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Additional waves of moisture will roll out of the Pacific through Monday, bringing more rain at the coast and heavy mountain snow. This second system will be colder, meaning more of the precipitation will fall as snow.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2-1 RNW Bams Loop 2-1675308229513.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Snow accumulations through midday Monday will be on the order of a foot in the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. While these totals will be high in spots, it comes over the period of a few days. Travel will be impacted at times in the high country. Parts of I-80 near Reno will be difficult, along with I-90 near the Snoqualmie Pass and I-84 through Oregon and Idaho.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/2-1 RNW accum-1675308367459.JPG">Expect temperatures for Seattle, WA to remain in the upper 40s and low 50s while inland communities drop to the 30s and 40s this weekend. It won't be nearly as chilly compared to last weekend!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/02/RNW 3 day-1675308444971.JPG">More details can be found :50 past the hour on WeatherNation.

Active Weather Returns to the Northwest

PNWJPG-1675176997018.jpeg

The mountains of California are experiencing another helping of snow in the final days of January, capping off a record stretch of wet weather between the months of December 2022 and January 2023. Winter weather alerts are in effect northeast of Los Angeles, as well as east of San Diego, CA as we head into Tuesday morning for heavy snow and strong wind (ABOVE). Additional winter alerts remain in place through early Tuesday for Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada. Accumulations will be 6-10" storm total for many of the Southwest mountains!

<img class="alignnone wp-image-208582 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/Capture-158.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<img class="alignnone wp-image-208583 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/Capture-159.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

Most of our snow ends overnight with just a few pockets of snow showers through the High Country of Arizona, northern New Mexico, and SW Colorado. An additional couple of inches of snowfall are anticipated here.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-208533" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/5a-tue.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

The other factor impacting the Southwest is brutally cold conditions. The Plains of Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming will get down below 0 again overnight. In California, widespread frost and freeze alerts are in effect across the area for Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Overnight lows will be in the 20s, which could impact crops.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-208584 size-full" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/Capture-160.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-208579" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/01/cali-cold.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" />

As always, travel safely to your favorite winter destination in the Southwest. Have proper traction and allow extra time to travel. If you feel unsafe driving, stay home!

Winter Storm Warnings Issued Outside of LA, San Diego

Capture-157.jpg

<img class="alignnone wp-image-89007" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/03/Wind-Alerts.jpg" alt="" width="661" height="372" />

High Wind Advisories and Warnings are active for parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma through late Sunday, into Monday morning.

Wind across these areas could gust up to 70 miles per hour on Sunday.

Any loose objects outdoors will be blown around by the wind. This wind will also increase the fire threat across these already drought-stricken areas. Blowing dust will also be an issue, especially on Sunday afternoon.

The strong wind is due to powerful and potent upper level low pressure system sweeping across this part of the country.

For WeatherNation, I am <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MarcusDWalter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Meteorologist Marcus Walter</a>.