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.

Jackie Brown

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Last week, multiple fires broke out across the central plains, burning over 325,000 acres. The fire threat is back, and an elevated fire weather outlook is in place across New Mexico, New Mexico and Texas. Dry conditions and gusty winds have led to dangerous fire conditions.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web1-1771931110084.png">Red flag warnings and fire weather watches remain in place through Tuesday. Fires that do develop can spread rapidly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-24 092018-1771950046550.png">FORECAST MOISTURE:The combination of relative humidity in the teens and single digits, combined with gusty winds, will increase the fire threat. Please use caution if burning, as any fire that develops can spread rapidly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-24 092112-1771950096204.png">FORECAST WIND GUSTS:<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-24 09-22-06-1771950158709.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Dave Holder

Elevated Fire Danger Across Southern Plains

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Kevin Schneider

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Inches of rain and feet of snow fell across the Western United States during the past week, thanks to a series of powerful low-pressure systems. The Pacific coast will stay active this week, as multiple systems line up to keep the stormy pattern going. However, this system has far warmer air to tap into across the West Coast.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web1-1771931205000.png">A ridge will send storms up the coast, instead of across the interior, and will keep snow levels much higher. As rain falls on top of snow, it melts, increasing runoff. This typically leads to an increase in river flooding potential.<h1>Timing</h1>The low-pressure system is moving through, bringing heavy mountain snow and rain. This system will shift a bit farther south to start the week, bringing heavy rain into Northern California into Tuesday. Snow levels are expected to be quite high, above 8,000 feet, leading to rain falling on top of the feet of snow California recorded last week.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-24 06-07-22-1771931274170.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Precipitation &amp; Flood Potential</h1>Rainfall totals in Northern California and Southern Oregon could surpass 5-7 inches in some locations, with snowfall totals in the NW topping a foot. Temperatures appear to be too warm for heavy snow in the Sierra, outside of the highest peaks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web2-1771931331104.png">An increased risk of flooding is in place on Tuesday for Northern California. A slight risk for excessive rainfall is possible.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web3-1771931364619.png">Winter storm warnings and advisories are in place across portions of the Northwest over the next few days. In the winter storm warnings, some of the heaviest snowfall totals can reach up to two feet of snow.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/web5-1771931400108.png">

Heavy Rain & Snow Across The West

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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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<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1771715057979.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>After an active week of snow and rain in the Southwest, high pressure is making its return to the region. Strong high pressure ridging is going to make highs jump into the 70s and 80s. Let's look at Phoenix, AZ for an example. The forecast calls for Phoenix, AZ to reach their first 90 degree afternoon this week, when normal highs should be in the lower 70s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-24 064849-1771940936786.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-22 121442-1771787744604.png">In addition to well above average temperatures, some record highs could fall next week across the Southwest and the Southern Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-24 064934-1771940984433.jpg"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-24 064957-1771941005237.jpg">In the Southern Plains, many cities start to feel the affect of the high pressure ridge during the second half of next week. In San Antonio, high temperatures are forecasted to be in the upper 80s by Thursday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-22 121530-1771787736448.png">

Spring Like Temperatures Return to the Southwest

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Brittany Lockley

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A developing storm system is expected to bring the potential for severe weather across portions of the Southeast Saturday, with the Storm Prediction Center outlining a Marginal Risk for strong to severe thunderstorms from eastern Mississippi through much of Alabama and into Georgia. The setup features a stalled frontal boundary draped across the region, acting as a focus for thunderstorm development.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1771703180074.png">Warm, moisture-rich air is in place across southern Alabama and Georgia, with dew points climbing into the upper 60s. As daytime heating increases, this unstable air mass will provide additional fuel for storms to intensify. At the same time, stronger winds higher in the atmosphere will support storm organization, meaning a few thunderstorms could evolve into more structured clusters or rotating cells. When wind shear and instability overlap like this, the threat for damaging wind gusts increases, and a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1771703292205.png">The greatest concern today centers on southeast Alabama into southwest and south-central Georgia, where storms may tap into the most favorable combination of moisture, lift, and wind energy. Later this afternoon and into the evening, attention may shift toward far southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle as the frontal boundary settles southward and additional storms develop along it.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1771703403439.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>While widespread severe weather is not expected, any storm that becomes strong could quickly produce hazardous conditions, including wind gusts strong enough to down trees or power lines, pockets of hail, frequent lightning and torrential downpours leading to localized flooding. Because storms may develop in clusters, some communities could experience repeated rounds of heavy rain in a short amount of time.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1771703442587.png">Stay weather-aware throughout Saturday, especially during the peak heating hours of the afternoon. Having multiple ways to receive weather alerts and knowing where to seek shelter if warnings are issued will be important, as conditions could change rapidly where storms strengthen. Cooler and more stable air is expected to filter in behind the front later tonight, gradually bringing an end to the severe threat.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1771703480460.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for more details.

Patrick Crawford

Strong Storms Target the Southeast

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Karissa is the Director of On-Air Operations at WeatherNation. Karissa grew up loving math and science, but really fell in love with Meteorology while attending the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. After two summers of storm chasing in the central plains, she knew that it was the career path for her. Standing in front of a thunderstorm and feeling the cool outflow knock her over was an experience she will never forget. After two years at COD, she transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver. Karissa graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology. Her high school and college speech and meteorology professors were extremely supportive and pushed her to succeed. Before joining the WeatherNation team, she previously worked as the Morning Meteorologist at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa and at WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL. She recently was part of a National Edward R. Murrow award winning team for breaking news for their coverage of the EF-4 tornado in Washington, Illinois. In her free time, Karissa enjoys cooking and trying new foods. She is a self proclaimed 'TV Junkie' who can get into just about any show. She is a die hard Chicago sports fan who loves attending professional sporting events.

Karissa Klos

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Snow has become more widespread across Upstate New York and into New England today. As trough of low pressure moves through the region into Saturday, more cold air will wrap into the system allowing for more wintry precipitation. Totals are now reaching up to near a foot in parts of Upstate New York.<h1>TIMING</h1><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1771643528021.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The heaviest accumulations will continue into the early morning hours of Saturday, before tapering off by late morning. However, the low pressure system will continue to become wrapped up in itself and limit its movement. That means light snow along the surface trough will linger in the Great Lakes and New England through the day on Saturday.Once this system clears, a coastal low will deepen just off the southeast coast. As it traces north along the northeast coastline, it could bring major snow, wind and coastal impacts into early next week. Stay with WeatherNation for more details on this potential Nor'Easter.<h1>TOTALS</h1><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1771643590393.png">An additional 3-6" of snow will be likely across Northern New England by Saturday. Dangerous driving conditions will stick around through Saturday, so avoid the roads if you can.<h1>TEMPERATURES</h1>Highs will remain in the 30s through the event and as the next coastal low moves in. This will mean another potential for wintry mix Sunday and early next weeek.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 102148-1771608128058.png">

New England Snow & Ice Into Saturday

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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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CALIFORNIA - After almost a week of relentless rain and snow, skies in California are finally clearing into the weekend. Despite the system exiting the region, impacts will linger for some time, especially in the mountains, where feet of snow await clearing. As of Friday morning, I-80 and the Donner Pass are back open after hundreds of cars became stranded from the intense snowfall.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-19 075311-1771512817264.png">Snow totals surpassed 100" in a few localized areas, with 4-6 feet widespread across the Sierra. Even the mountains in Southern California saw 2-4 feet of snow on the peaks!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 171911-1771633173461.png">Those numbers, despite being incredibly high, did not bring California's snowpack back to average, but they did see a massive jump from 54% at the start of the week to 75% as of Friday evening!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 172229-1771633386958.png">Unfortunately, the heavy snow led to multiple deaths. A large avalanche killed 8 people on a backcountry ski tour, while another man failed to return to his vehicle after parking at a ski resort.<div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2024232039315296461" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2024232039315296461"></div><h1>Lingering Cold</h1>Cold air will linger behind the low into Saturday morning, and cold alerts remain in place for portions of the Bay Area, coastal valleys, and higher elevation locations. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 172405-1771633456926.png"><h1>Next Round</h1>Another series of storm systems is expected to move in around the ridge of high pressure in the Four Corners this weekend. This will focus the next round of heavy rain and snow farther north, with impacts expected in Northern California into Central Oregon. Warming temperatures will mean some areas that received intense snow could see nothing but rain next week. This could lead to flooding issues, especially with runoff in the mountains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 093723-1771605465112.png">The heaviest rain is expected from the Northern Sierra near Lake Tahoe up to the coastal mountains in California and Oregon. Flash flooding is a concern on Monday and Tuesday in these areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 172554-1771633563461.png">

Major Storm System Winds Down in California

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Tracey Anthony

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PLAINS - Multiple active fires broke out earlier this week across the Plains of Kansas and the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma. Fire danger continues into the weekend, as additional Red Flag Warnings have been issued for southern Texas. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 173007-1771633816846.png">The fires that began on Tuesday have burned a large amount of real estate, estimates show over 310,000 acres of wildfires burned since Tuesday afternoon, causing low visibility, and evacuation orders were issued.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 173043-1771633860818.png">From the Oklahoma Panhandle and into southwest Kansas, the Ranger Road Fire has burned nearly 300,000 acres since Tuesday, with containment now up to 30%.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 173320-1771634007282.png">As a front moves through, winds have strengthened in response. Saturday's outlook will be confined to South Texas and the Lower Rio Grande Valley, ahead of the incoming front. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-20 173423-1771634118618.png">Earlier this week, some winds were clocked close to triple digits! The winds prompted a blowing dust advisory to be issued on Tuesday afternoon, and a 30+-vehicle pileup resulted from brownout conditions along I-25 in southern Colorado.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Web 9-1771425927888.png">

Wildfire Danger: Red Flag Warnings Persist Into Saturday

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The drought is still very persistent across much of the western and southern parts of the Nation.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-92558" src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2018/06/US-Drought-Monitor.jpg" alt="" width="745" height="419" />

The worst drought conditions are in place across the four corners region, impacting the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Parts of these states are dealing with "Exceptional" drought" based on the drought monitor categories.

There is also "Exceptional" drought in place across parts of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

The next United States Drought Monitor will be issued on Thursday, June 14th, 2018.

Tune into WeatherNation for the latest.

&nbsp;

A Look at the Latest US Drought Monitor

Elevated Fire Danger Across Southern Plains

Last week, multiple fires broke out across th

Heavy Rain & Snow Across The West

Inches of rain and feet of snow fell across t

Spring Like Temperatures Return to the Southwest

After an active week of snow and rain in the

Strong Storms Target the Southeast

A developing storm system is expected to brin

New England Snow & Ice Into Saturday

Snow has become more widespread across Upstat

Major Storm System Winds Down in California

CALIFORNIA - After almost a week of relentles

Wildfire Danger: Red Flag Warnings Persist Into Saturday

PLAINS - Multiple active fires broke out earl