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 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 a possible tornado in Trussville, AL. We will know more on these areas Friday once NWS Birmingham survey the area.<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 of the Birmingham metro, thunderstorms were producing large hail from south of Memphis, TN out to North Georgia on Thursday afternoon and evening.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1png-1772162701173.png">The cold front that trigged severe weather on Thursday will slide southward into the rest of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Florida on Friday and Saturday. No severe weather outlook has been issued yet but I wouldn't be surprised to see a Marginal show up on Friday or Saturday. The system is also bringing in much needed rain to the Southeast where parts of the region are experiencing Level 4 drought. A 1-3" of rain will possible into the weekend.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/New Baron Video 3-1772163262569.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772163296534.png">

Severe Weather Hits the Southeast Thursday

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Brittany Lockley

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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 ahead of the next front that will help the conditions.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-26 04-49-29-1772106625356.mkv" 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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Kevin Schneider

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This week brings some nice days to the southern plains and southwest, especially if you like the warmth. More records fell in the Lone Star State including a few 100s in the cities of Laredo and Zapata, TX.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772161786223.png">Los Angeles, you will be feeling like summer with forecast highs in the upper 80s to 90!! Can we say pool/beach days?<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772161838913.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/2026/02/1-1772161944308.png">In addition to well-above-average temperatures, some record highs are set to take place across the Southwest and the Southern Plains.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-26 102621-1772126795626.png">Check out the next few days in Phoenix! The average is normally 72°, but the highs will be in the 90s, threatening records here as well.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772162007897.png">Los Angeles, you too will be in record territory with some highs this week in the upper 80s to 90°!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772162053838.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 new round of winter weather is set to take aim at 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 and back into the northeast by Friday and Saturday. The developing system will move across the central U.S. and into the Great Lakes. It will strengthen as it pushes toward the Interstate 95 corridor.&nbsp;<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/1-1772162167231.png">Snow is expected to start first across portions of the Midwest, including cities such as Chicago and Indianapolis, 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, potentially creating travel slowdowns during the early part of the week. Areas that recently dealt with winter weather may once again find themselves digging out.&nbsp;<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/02-25 rnc to rne-1772070748153.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 2026-02-26 054827-1772110128032.jpg">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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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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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 shadow of the Moon will gradually increase and decrease for about 90 minutes before and after totality occurs. 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, 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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The Northeast has gotten another few inches of snowfall on top of the historic blizzard that swept through the region earlier this week. The active winter pattern continues to target the Northeast after recent storms left behind widespread snow totals and towering snowbanks.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 050249-1772021421391.png">By no means the snow that fell on Wednesday rivaled the intensity of the Blizzard of 2026. However, there were snowfall totals of six inches in Circleville, WV.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-26 061522-1772111786406.jpg">Light to moderate snowfall will move out of Indiana and Ohio Thursday morning. Another little batch of snow could move back to the I-95 corridor as we head into your late Thursday. Mostly rain is going to plague the Mid-Atlantic and Mis-South through Thursday, as this system moves off the coast later in the day.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-26 06-16-49-1772111851921.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>This amount of snow will be lacking compared to our Nor'Easter, but an inch or two is still possible and still needs to be taken with caution.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-26 061851-1772111937335.jpg">Another clipper is likely to dive in from the northern Plains through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley and back into the northeast by Friday and Saturday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/02-25 rnc to rne-1772070748153.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. 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 2026-02-25 185126-1772070761210.png">Stay tuned to WeatherNation for more details.

A Clipper Brings Additional Quick Snow to the Northeast

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Last week, multiple fires broke out across the central plains, burning over 325,000 acres. The Ranger Road Fire has been completely contained after torching over a quarter million acres. The fire threat is back, and an elevated fire weather outlook is in place across New Mexico and Texas. Dry conditions and gusty winds have led to dangerous fire conditions. Red flag warnings and fire weather watches remain in place through Friday. Fires that do develop can spread rapidly.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 170902-1772064636960.png">Fire outlooks have been extended into Thursday, also at a critical risk, but not covering as much real estate. The same areas are likely to be impacted.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 170906-1772064653239.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 170851-1772064658482.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 2026-02-25 171009-1772064664378.png">FORECAST WIND GUSTS:<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot 2026-02-25 171020-1772064701990.png">

Alana Cameron

Elevated Fire Danger Across Southern Plains

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It’s time to check out the WeatherNation Top 5 videos of the week of July 15!

https://youtu.be/4naoCv5jDkw

<a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/news/weathernation-top-5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch the video of last week's Top 5</a>

For WeatherNation, I’m <a href="https://media.weathernationtv.com/team/meredith-garofalo/">Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo</a>

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