Dave Holder

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As we head into the upcoming work week, an upper-low will move across the Intermountain West and into the Central Plains, increasing chances for severe thunderstorms and heavy rain, particularly by Wednesday. <video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/marchstorms-1772324829200.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The upper-level ridge responsible for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/spring-like-temperatures-return-to-the-southwest">record heat</a> across the Southwest will begin to break down over the next few days. This will allow the upper-level low, currently across the West Coast, to move east, bringing strong jet stream winds overhead. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-28 172609-1772324852372.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-28 172634-1772324852369.png">Meanwhile, at the surface, southerly winds will fetch plenty of moisture off the Gulf, with widespread dew points in the 60s reaching as far north as Arkansas. Together with daytime heating, the atmosphere will become increasingly unstable heading into the afternoon hours. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-28 172616-1772324867435.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-28 172643-1772324867433.png">In addition, as deep moisture continues to advect north, heavy rain will become a hazard. Significant rainfall looks to be possible from North Texas up through the Ohio Valley through next week, as a moisture-laden atmosphere continues to interact with strong upper-level energy. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-28 173627-1772325396060.png">As the severe weather season begins to ramp up, so too does our coverage! Severe Weather Awareness Week begins on Sunday. Make sure you tune in, as we get prepared for the upcoming season with interviews, tips, and some really interesting facts!

Jesse Kelley

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Next Week

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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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As we turn the page from an active winter with plenty of snow, next week will involve spring like warmth moving into the Northeast. A couple of rounds of snow and heavy rain will be likely.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1772325700722.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>For Monday and Tuesday morning, we are following a system that will bring in light snow for parts of the Interstate 95 and Mid Atlantic region. As southerly winds moves into the system, a change over from snow to rain will be likely. However, we could see a few inches before the precipitation changes over. This setup also creates an icing threat for parts of the Appalachians so we will keep an eye out for that too!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772325306910.png"><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1772325839024.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>As we jump ahead to Tuesday and beyond, the next shortwave coming out of the Plains has a lot of warm moist air being drawn up from the Gulf. As a result, the midweek system will create heavy rain chances across the Ohio Valley and it will be an all rain event for the Northeast as temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. A few inches of rain will be possible with the heavier totals across the Ohio River region for cities like Louisville, Columbus, and Indy.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772325602961.png">The first week of March will be pretty warm across the Northeast. As the midweek system approaches the region, check out the highs climbing into the 60s and 70s for cities like Pittsburgh. New York City will be making a run for the 50s.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772326018379.png">

Active Pattern Ahead for the Northeast

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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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This week brings some nice days to the southern plains and southwest, especially if you like the warmth. More record highs fell in the South including Southern California where the mercury rose into 90s including Palm Springs.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772334471389.png">The above average warmth continues for the Southwest for several more days because of the blocking high pressure system. Just like the Southern Plains, some relief could be coming with a low pressure system passing on by.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772334543802.png">The Southern Plains will see the record-warmth potential last into this weekend before a cold front arrive for some areas.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772334575082.png">The warmth is likely to lead to numerous records continuing to fall through Sunday, with a few possibly lingering into Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-26 102621-1772126795626.png">Phoenix reached 90 degrees again on Saturday and more days above 90 are likely through Monday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772334656621.png">Make sure to watch WeatherNation for the latest updates on the record-warmth.

Spring & Summer Like Temperatures for the Southwest

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A blood moon will soon be gracing (clear) skies near you! Are you ready? What is a blood moon? It's another name for a total lunar eclipse, a phenomenon that occurs when a full moon passes directly through a planet's shadow, changing the bright white reflection to a much darker shade of red. This time, the dark red shade, known as totality, will last about an hour, while the Moon's shadow will gradually increase and decrease for about 90 minutes before and after totality. This means the entire event will last about 4 hours.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 121621-1772047002716.png">This eclipse is known as a "total" lunar eclipse, named for when the entirety of the Moon gets covered by Earth's hard shadow, known as the umbra. It's different from a solar eclipse in that the Earth is between the Moon and Sun, as opposed to a solar eclipse when the Moon is between the Earth and Sun.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 121627-1772047012922.png">Unfortunately for folks on the East Coast, the amount of time to see totality will be cut short, lasting only about 20-30 minutes (depending on your longitude) as the moon sets. Full eclipse times are in the image at the top of the page.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 121049-1772047025361.png">For folks in Central, Mountain, or Pacific time zones, all of totality should be visible before the moon goes down. Some of the partial eclipse after totality may be cut short. Pacific times for the eclipse are in the image below!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 121124-1772047085029.png">Be sure to catch this total lunar eclipse, as the next total lunar eclipse isn't until New Year's Eve of 2028!<h1>Forecast</h1>As always with astronomical events, cloud cover can make or break your visibility for the event. It's a bit early to know for sure, but it does look like a good portion of the South, Midwest, and Southeast will have a fair amount of clouds. Be sure to check back in on this forecast as it will likely change considerably!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 172907-1772065760383.png">Temperatures will be on the chilly side for many, with 30s for much of the country.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 172933-1772065786940.png">

Total Lunar Eclipse Visible Across North America Tuesday Morning

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A busy day on Thursday resulted in several reports of large hail, gusty winds, and a possible tornado touchdown in Trussville, AL. Our Field Meteorologist Brett Adair was on the scene of wind and hail damage in Pinson, outside of Birmingham, AL. The same supercell produced an EF-0 tornado in Trussville, AL, with winds of 85mph.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1772162895506.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/VON_022626_RSE_PINSON, AL_ FOUR BOX OF DAMAGE AFTER STORMS IN ALABAMA_BRETT ADAIR_WHATSAPP_BH_022626-1772162922454.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Outside the Birmingham metro, thunderstorms produced large hail from south of Memphis, TN, out to North Georgia on Thursday afternoon and evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-27 102748-1772213311396.png">The stalled front will be the focus for showers and storms across Florida on Saturday. Some storms for Southeast Florida could get up to severe strength.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/FORECAST-1772284116042.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-27 170931-1772237377894.png">The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded some areas of Florida to a Marginal Risk of severe storms on Saturday. Locations include Palm Bay down to Miami along the Atlantic seaboard.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/PIC 2-1772284189900.jpg">

Patrick Crawford

The Severe Storm Risk Continues Across the Southeast

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Brittany Lockley

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A new round of winter weather is set to aim the Midwest and Northeast as March begins, continuing an active stretch of storms across the eastern half of the country. Another clipper is likely to dive in from the northern Plains through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, then back into the northeast through Saturday. A few inches of snow will be possible from Montana to Michigan.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-27 171130-1772237497218.png">Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for northeastern Montana, across the Dakotas, and into southern Minnesota and Wisconsin.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-27 171253-1772237579729.png">Snow is expected to start first across portions of the Midwest, including Minneapolis and Milwaukee, before spreading into parts of Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. As the system shifts east, accumulating snow could extend into major Northeast metro areas.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1772247880266.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Temperatures are expected to remain cold enough to support snow rather than rain in many areas, particularly north of major metropolitan corridors. That means the wintry feel will stick around, and melting will be limited until a more sustained warm-up arrives. However, farther south, the setup could support a messy mix of precipitation. Warmer air wrapping into the system may lead to sleet or freezing rain along parts of the storm’s southern edge, increasing the risk for slick roads. Residents are encouraged to allow extra time for travel and use caution on untreated roads as the Northeast continues to navigate a persistently snowy stretch of winter weather.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-27 171521-1772237730600.png">This latest system is part of a broader, active late-winter pattern that continues to send disturbances across the country.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-26 05-51-13-1772110316543.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Stay tuned to WeatherNation for more details.

Another Winter System Targets Midwest and Northeast

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A fast-moving brush fire is burning across parts of the Florida Everglades, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and creating hazardous travel conditions across South Florida. The fire is currently burning in the Big National Preserve and is known as the National Fire. The fire, fueled by dry vegetation and gusty winds, and the recent frost damage, have scorched over 30,000 acres of unusually dry&nbsp;marsh and grassland, a landscape that can quickly ignite during the dry season.&nbsp;Satellite footage from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772162406532.png">The blaze is primarily affecting remote areas of the Everglades, but smoke has at times drifted into nearby communities, reducing visibility and lowering air quality. Drivers along major roadways, including stretches near Alligator Alley (I-75), State Road 29, and U.S. Route 41, have encountered smoky conditions, prompting periodic closures and traffic delays as crews work to contain the flames and keep motorists safe.&nbsp;The Sunshine State is expected to get rainfall on Friday, ahead of the next front that will help the conditions.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1772248103383.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Firefighters are battling the blaze both on the ground and from the air, using water drops and fire breaks to slow its spread. The terrain in the Everglades presents unique challenges, with wetlands, sawgrass marshes, and difficult access points complicating suppression efforts. While wildfires are not uncommon in South Florida during the dry season,&nbsp;prolonged dry spells combined with warm temperatures can significantly increase fire danger.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 042405-1772018686139.png">So far, there have been no widespread evacuation orders reported, but authorities are urging residents to monitor updates and limit outdoor activity if smoke becomes heavy in their area. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions, may experience irritation from the smoke.&nbsp;Fire crews will continue working to contain the blaze in the coming days, with weather conditions playing a critical role in how quickly the fire can be brought under control. Rainfall would help crews, while another continued dry and breezy weather day could allow the fire to expand.&nbsp;

Fire Burns Through the Florida Everglades, Prompting Road Closures

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<h1><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noradsanta.org/en/">CLICK HERE TO TRACK SANTA WITH NORAD!</a> </h1><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LGqyHwddfu0" start="0"></iframe></div>We spoke to Major Jennie Derenzis of NORAD. She gives us details on Santa's trip around the world, and how Santa and the gang get you your presents in an efficient and timely manner! Watch along with WeatherNation as we track Santa's journey around the world on Christmas Eve!<h2>Fun Facts About Santa's Mission:</h2>Santa's sleigh is approximately 75 candy canes in length or 150 lollypops. The weight at takeoff is 75k gumdrops and Santa is estimated to be 260 lbs at takeoff - we're not sure how much he weighs by the time he lands after all those cookies! Santa's sleigh can travel faster than starlight at maximum speed and is powered by 9 reindeer!<h2>How Did NORAD Get Their Start Tracking Santa?</h2>For more than 60 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/12/santa_and_shoup-1703177296101.jpg">(Image: Colonel Harry Shoup, NORAD's First Santa Tracker September 29, 1917 - March 14, 2009)The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck &amp; Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.

Tracking Santa with NORAD & WeatherNation

CLICK HERE TO TRACK SANTA WITH NORAD!

Fun Facts About Santa's Mission:

How Did NORAD Get Their Start Tracking Santa?

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Next Week

As we head into the upcoming work week, an up

Active Pattern Ahead for the Northeast

As we turn the page from an active winter wit

Spring & Summer Like Temperatures for the Southwest

This week brings some nice days to the southe

Total Lunar Eclipse Visible Across North America Tuesday Morning

A blood moon will soon be gracing (clear) ski

The Severe Storm Risk Continues Across the Southeast

A busy day on Thursday resulted in several re

Another Winter System Targets Midwest and Northeast

A new round of winter weather is set to aim t

Fire Burns Through the Florida Everglades, Prompting Road Closures

A fast-moving brush fire is burning across pa