Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

Alana Cameron

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<p><strong>UPPER MIDWEST - </strong>Blizzard alerts are in place for portions of the Upper Midwest through Monday. <strong>Blizzard warnings </strong>are issued when visibility is less than 1/4 mile, winds are greater than 35 mph, and lasting for more than 3 hours. Additional alerts are in place, including <strong>winter storm warnings</strong> and<strong> winter weather advisories</strong>.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-28 111148-1766945703629.png">As the frontal system moves through, temperatures will turn cold, and winds will pick up. That will allow these blizzard concerns to continue through the beginning of the work week.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/12-28_rnc forecast-1766945769593.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Snowfall totals may reach several inches, especially when we consider the influence of some lake effect bands across Lake Superior.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-28 111317-1766945851883.png">For more on this, be sure to watch us live on WeatherNation!</p>

Blizzard Conditions In the Upper Midwest

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Kevin Schneider

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1><p>A cold front will move through portions of the Midwest &amp; Midsouth, interacting with a moist airmass. This front will tap into warm air with dew points in the 50s and 60s. This combination will bring a threat for isolated severe storms tonight through Monday morning. Damaging winds will be the primary concern, but there is an isolated tornado threat.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/SUNDAY S-1766777422034.png"></p><p>The SPC upgraded the risk from a <strong>MARGINAL </strong>to a<strong> SLIGHT</strong>, with growing confidence in storms this evening. The biggest threat still remains damaging winds, but a few more tornadoes might spin up.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-28 110617-1766945276143.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-28 110622-1766945280486.png"></p><h1><strong>TIMING</strong></h1><p>The cold front will roll through this afternoon and into Monday morning. As it moves through, strong to severe storms could also develop along it, bringing damaging winds and areas of isolated heavy rain. On the back side, there will be isolated snow, where the moisture meets the very cold air behind the front.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/12-28 rnc midwest-1766945299664.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>This front is going to really impact temperatures once it moves out. Temps will drop 30°+ for some. Indianapolis will be 66° today, and on Monday, it will reach a high of only 27°.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-28 110835-1766945322900.png"></p><p>Tune into WeatherNation for the latest!</p>

Severe Threat Increasing in the Midwest Today

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WeatherNation Meteorologists

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<p>As 2025 wraps up, we're taking a look back at the weather stories that mattered most this year.</p><h1><strong>JANUARY</strong></h1><p>January was a dramatic start to 20-25. From the west coast to the east coast -- records were broken. We started the year with destructive wildfires in California and transitioned to the highest snowfall totals ever recorded for some cities across the gulf coast. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Meteorologist Taban Sharifi looks back on the first month of the year in our Top Weather Events of 2025.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZhCDrfucevU" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>FEBRUARY</strong></h1><p>February 2025 brought significant atmospheric rivers to the west, and severe weather that stretched from Alabama to New York changing the lives of millions.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Meteorologist Tracey Anthony takes a look back at February's headlines. Meteorologist Patrick Crawford has a look at these Top Weather Events of 2025.&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gDPn1enLwDU" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>MARCH</strong></h1><p><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)">From devastating wildfires to record-breaking floods and widespread severe storms including one of the most violent </span><span style="color: inherit">Mar</span>ch<span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36)"> tornado outbreaks in U.S. history, Spring of 2025 started more lion than lamb. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Meteorologist Tracey Anthony details the Top Weather Events of 2025.</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1jDoUNdsQsE" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>APRIL</strong></h1><p>Tornadoes and flooding brought a one-two punch in April. Meteorologist Adrian Hernandez takes a look back at our Top Weather Events of 2025.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2jrVc9pVRbw" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>MAY</strong></h1><p>Record setting rainfall and destructive severe weather outbreaks dominated headlines in May. Meteorologist Jackie Brown tells us why in our Top Weather Events of 2025.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_kRQ9kP-Alg" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>JUNE</strong></h1><p>This summer, the U.S. saw its first EF-5 tornado in more than a decade. Meteorologist Dave Holder highlights June as we continue our look at the Top Weather Events of 2025. &nbsp;</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WZYPfSprBeo" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>JULY</strong></h1><p>The Fourth of July holiday weekend turned deadly and destructive. Meteorologist Rob Bradley looks back on the impacts of July’s tropical moisture in our Top Weather Events of 2025. &nbsp;</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n3zverrLAdk" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>AUGUST</strong></h1><p><br>August was the start of a long period of coastal erosion for the Eastern Seaboard. Meteorologist Jesse Kelley chronicles July’s once in a generation flooding in our Top Weather Events of August 2025.&nbsp;</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vA89EW49pkE" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>SEPTEMBER</strong></h1><p>Relentless tropical rains from the Eastern Pacific and dueling hurricanes in the Atlantic. Meteorologist Patrick Crawford shows us the impacts of September in our Top Weather Events of 2025. &nbsp;</p><p></p><h1><strong>OCTOBER</strong></h1><p>Tropical impacts hit their peak in October. Meteorologist Alana Cameron highlights Category five Hurricane Melissa’s devastating hit to Jamaica in our Top Weather Events of 2025.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2M04A7WEpiI" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>NOVEMBER</strong></h1><p>An early start to winter left thousands stranded in a Thanksgiving storm. Meteorologist Kevin Schneider has the details as we look back on November in our Top Weather Events of 2025.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wuodtzDlAAc" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>DECEMBER</strong></h1><p>Historic river flooding inundated Washington and California, while constant clippers roamed the Northern U.S. Meteorologist Brittany Lockley rounds out the final month of the year in our Top Weather Events of 2025.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/80oB37u25nQ" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><strong>Other Natural Phenomena</strong></h1><p>It wasn’t just weather making headlines this year. Meteorologist Alana Cameron talks about the other forces of nature that caught our attention in 2025.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xPIOEoUUDv4" start="0"></iframe></div>

Top Weather Events of 2025

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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.

Jackie Brown

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<h1>WHAT TO EXPECT</h1><p>December brought record warmth for many; it's now time for a pattern change. An extremely strong cold front will move through a large portion of the country this weekend, and behind that, we will see much COLDER air in place! Temperatures will drop 30° to 40 ° in 24-48 hours for many. Bitterly cold air and wind chills will make for increased risk of frostbite, so layer up and stay warm.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web1-1766921011317.png"></p><p>The cold air will push south on Monday, bringing below-average temperatures as far south as Texas! Dallas will see a high of 80° on Sunday, and by Monday, you will see a high of only 47°! Springfield, MO, will see a high of 68° on Sunday and a high of 30° on Monday. The high for Springfield is normally 45°, meaning you're going to be feeling the chill into the start of the work week!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web2-1766921040708.png"></p><p><strong>Extreme Cold Alerts </strong>are in place Sunday morning for portions of Montana. <strong>Wind chills </strong>can reach as low as 40 below zero, with frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web1-1766935276852.png"></p><p>Even outside of the Extreme cold alerts, wind chills will dip between 20 and 30 degrees below zero on Monday morning as well! Please use caution if you have to be outdoors, as frostbite can occur in minutes in these conditions.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web2-1766935553011.png"></p><p>Make sure you stay tuned to WeatherNation, as we track this frigid air all through the upcoming work week!</p>

Adrian Hernandez

Arctic Air Returns This Weekend

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<p>Unseasonably warm temperatures continue to prevail in much of the central and southeastern United States, as an area of high pressure maintains the jet stream north, allowing warm air to build up. Widespread record highs have been noted for days now, with Christmas being a particularly warm day down in Oklahoma and Texas!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-26 124127-1766796470565.png"></p><p>More records have been falling throughout the day on Saturday. It's not just that many records have been falling recently; it's how easily they are going down. We've seen multiple records fall by 10° or more, including a record of 87° in Wichita Falls!</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-27 173416-1766882070014.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-27 173358-1766882070019.png"></p><p></p><h1>A PATTERN CHANGE ON SUNDAY</h1><p>Feast your eyes on Sunday! Some cities will see a HUGE drop in temperatures as a cold front blasts south. Denver will go from near 60° on Saturday to a high of just 34° on Sunday. Salt Lake City will drop to the mid-30s on Sunday as well. Omaha, Nebraska, will see a high of 60° on Saturday, but by Monday, temperatures will only rise into the low 20s! (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/artic-air-returns-this-weekend">Read more here</a>)</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web1-1766921888574.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web2-1766921941970.png"></p><p>The South Central will remain firm in the above-average temperatures through the weekend, but here too temperatures will crash down by the beginning of next week.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web3-1766921966466.png"></p>

Record Warmth For One More Day

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<p><strong>CALIFORNIA - </strong>Over the past few days, tropical moisture has brought flooding through portions of California. Although the main atmopsheric river is gone, multiple disturbances over the next few days will bring more rain and storms and the chance for more flooding. Flooding, mudslides, and severe storms will all be threats over the next few days. Portions of California have seen almost a foot of snow just since Wednesday morning.</p><h1>Rain &amp; Flooding</h1><p>Although winding down, we still have a slight risk (level 2 out of 4) for flooding on Friday. The major impacts of today are expected to stay in the LA area.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web1-1766761826334.png"></p><h1><strong>TIMING</strong></h1><p>There will be rounds of rain and snow with breaks, as multiple waves move through over the next few days. On Saturday, things clear out with calmer conditions for the rest of the weekend.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-26 10-11-05-1766761893366.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Heavy Snow</h1><p>Heavy snow will accumulate over the Sierra Nevada Mountains through Friday, leading to travel impacts and the potential for delays. <strong>Winter Storm Warnings</strong> have been issued all across California. 3-5 feet of snow is expected, with some areas seeing higher totals.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/web1-1766761959472.png"></p><p>For more details on your forecast out west, tune in to your Western Regional :50 past the hour.</p>

Flooding Risk In California Continues

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<p>Does it feel like deja vu? This persistent pattern, locked in for most of December, has some side effects. No snow for the west! While areas around the Midwest are experiencing their snowiest start to the Winter in years, areas out west are looking at their slowest start to the water year.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-17 090611-1765987589484.png"></p><p>Take, for instance, the Pacific Northwest. They've been seeing the worst of both patterns: warm systems that bring inundating rainfall to the area, without the benefits of slow-melting snowfall, keeping watersheds fed with a much-needed, consistent water source.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-21 141153-1766351518447.png"></p><p>Other areas like Colorado have seen a fairly soggy past month, but got off to one of the latest starts to winter on record in Denver. Similarly, like the northwest was struggling, any shot at moisture fell at once, as rain.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-21 141214-1766351538721.png"></p><p>All of this information comes from the National Integrated Drought Information System, an offshoot of NOAA</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/imap/#version=2&amp;elements=&amp;networks=!&amp;states=!&amp;basins=!&amp;hucs=&amp;minElevation=&amp;maxElevation=&amp;elementSelectType=any&amp;activeOnly=true&amp;activeForecastPointsOnly=true&amp;hucLabels=false&amp;hucIdLabels=false&amp;hucParameterLabels=true&amp;stationLabels=&amp;overlays=&amp;hucOverlays=state&amp;basinOpacity=100&amp;basinNoDataOpacity=100&amp;basemapOpacity=100&amp;maskOpacity=0&amp;mode=data&amp;openSections=dataElement,parameter,date,basin,options,elements,location,networks,baseMaps,overlays,labels&amp;controlsOpen=true&amp;popup=&amp;popupMulti=&amp;popupBasin=&amp;base=esriWgc&amp;displayType=basin&amp;basinType=6&amp;dataElement=WTEQ&amp;depth=-8&amp;parameter=PCTMED&amp;frequency=DAILY&amp;duration=I&amp;customDuration=&amp;dayPart=E&amp;monthPart=E&amp;forecastPubDay=1&amp;forecastExceedance=50&amp;useMixedPast=true&amp;seqColor=2&amp;divColor=7&amp;scaleType=D&amp;scaleMin=&amp;scaleMax=&amp;referencePeriodType=POR&amp;referenceBegin=1991&amp;referenceEnd=2020&amp;minimumYears=20&amp;hucAssociations=true&amp;relativeDate=-4&amp;lat=41.191&amp;lon=-108.971&amp;zoom=5.5"><strong>Interactive Map at this link here</strong></a></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-21 141238-1766351564715.png"></p><p>So what would help? A breakdown of the pattern would be a great place to start, with some signs that we might get some help. As the jet stream dips into the holiday week, confidence is growing in heavy rain targeting California</p><p></p>

West Facing Record Low Snow Levels

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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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<p><strong>NORTHEAST: </strong>The northeastern United States is in for a few quick-moving clipper systems this week, leading up to Christmas. These systems could bring minor travel impacts, especially on Tuesday. A fast-moving clipper is forecast to move through Tuesday, bringing rain near the Great Lakes and snow farther inland. Here’s a look at our forecast models and the timing of this system.</p><p>Several winter alerts are in place across the northeast.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Web 1-1766499063383.png"></p><h3></h3><p>As we head toward Christmas, travelers along the eastern I-84 corridor and parts of the I-95 may encounter a mix of rain and snow.</p><h1>Boston Area</h1><p>In the Boston area, there are two rounds of potential wintry weather, one on Tuesday morning and another on Tuesday evening. Temperatures will be borderline, hovering right around freezing.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-22 195726-1766458681816.png">Snowfall totals are also expected to remain light as we head toward Christmas Eve.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-22 195711-1766458755637.png"></p><h1>Maine</h1><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Web 2-1766499324207.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Web 4-1766499344880.png"></p><p>For more details on these fast-moving systems and the duration, be sure to join us on WeatherNation at :10 past the hour for your east regional forecast.</p>

Tracey Anthony

Brief Snow Before Christmas in the Northeast

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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><p><span>The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, monitors and defends North American airspace 24-7, 365. But on December 24th, they take on another mission… tracking Santa and his reindeer all across the globe. We spoke to Brigadier General Jason Rueschoff about NORAD's 70th year tracking Santa. He 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!</span><span style="color: windowtext">&nbsp;</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aSzimmT4a1c" start="0"></iframe></div><h2>Fun Facts About Santa's Mission:</h2><p>Santa's sleigh is approximately 75 candy canes in length or 150 lollipops. The weight at takeoff is 75,000 gumdrops and Santa is estimated to be 260 pounds 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!</p><h2><strong>How Did NORAD Get Their Start Tracking Santa?</strong></h2><p style="text-align: start">For 70 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2023/12/santa_and_shoup-1703177296101.jpg"></p><p style="text-align: start"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">(Image: Colonel Harry Shoup, NORAD's First Santa Tracker September 29, 1917 - March 14, 2009)</span></em></p><p style="text-align: start">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.</p><p style="text-align: start">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.</p><h1>"We have the watch."</h1><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noradsanta.org/en/noradhq#PressRoom"><em>Courtesy: NORAD</em></a></p><p>The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a United States and Canada bi-national organization which defends the homeland through aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America. Aerospace warning includes the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.</p><p>Aerospace control includes ensuring air sovereignty and air defense of the airspace of Canada and the United States. The renewal of the NORAD Agreement in May 2006 added a maritime warning mission, which entails a shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas and internal waterways.</p><p>Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, NORAD's mission has evolved over the years to meet the changing threat. Through outstanding bi-national cooperation, NORAD has proven itself effective in its roles of watching, warning, and responding. The events of September 11, 2001 demonstrated NORAD's continued relevance to North American security. Today, NORAD provides civil authorities with a potent military response capability to counter domestic airspace threats should all other methods fail.</p><p>The men and women of NORAD are constantly watching the skies and waterways of the United States and Canada to keep us safe.</p><p><img src="https://www.noradsanta.org/en/assets/images/noradHq/ContentPhotos/mission3.jpg" alt=""></p><h1><strong>How NORAD tracks Santa and protect North America</strong></h1><h2>Radar</h2><p>It all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system has 49 installations strung across Canada's North and Alaska. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of Santa Claus leaving the North Pole every holiday season. The moment our radar tells us that Santa has lifted off, we begin to use the same satellites that we use in providing air warning of possible missile launches aimed at North America.</p><h2>Satellites</h2><p>These satellites are located in a geo-synchronous orbit (that's a cool phrase meaning that the satellite is always fixed over the same spot on the Earth) at 22,300 miles above the Earth. The satellites have infrared sensors, meaning they can see heat. When a rocket or missile is launched, a tremendous amount of heat is produced - enough for the satellites to see them. Rudolph's nose gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch. The satellites detect Rudolph's bright red nose with no problem.</p><h2><img src="https://www.noradsanta.org/en/assets/images/noradHq/ContentPhotos/Canadian-CF-18.jpg" alt="">Jet Fighters</h2><p>The last system we use is the NORAD jet fighter. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots, flying the CF-18, take off out of Newfoundland and welcome Santa to North America. Then at numerous locations in Canada other CF-18 fighter pilots escort Santa. While in the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15s, F16s or F-22s get the thrill of flying with Santa and the famous Reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. Even though Santa flies faster than any jet fighter (Santa actually slows down for us to escort him), all of these systems together provide NORAD with a very good continuous picture of his whereabouts.</p><h4 style="text-align: start">Do your planes ever intercept Santa?</h4><p style="text-align: start">Over the past 65 years, our fighter jets (F-16s, F-15s, F-22s, F-35s, and CF-18s) have intercepted Santa many, many times. When the jets intercept Santa, they tip their wings to say, "Hello Santa! NORAD is tracking you again this year!" Santa always waves. He loves to see the pilots!</p><h4 style="text-align: start">Does NORAD have any pictures of Santa taken from your planes?</h4><p style="text-align: start">Our fighter pilots love to take photos of Santa. We also have NORAD Santa Cams in space which take video of Santa as he flies round the world. These videos appear almost every hour on December 24th at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.noradsanta.org"><u>www.noradsanta.org</u></a>.</p><h4 style="text-align: start">Does NORAD have any statistics on Santa's sleigh?</h4><p style="text-align: start">NORAD can confirm that Santa's sleigh is a versatile, all weather, multi-purpose, vertical short-take-off and landing vehicle. It is capable of traveling vast distances without refueling and is deployed, as far as we know, only on December 24th (and sometimes briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas).</p>

Track Santa with NORAD: 70 Years of Holiday Magic

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<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GtdF4xLBGXc" start="0"></iframe></div><p>As 2025 comes to an end, many people are expected to travel for the holiday season. AAA expects an increase in travelers compared to last year, 2024. <span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24)">The forecast calls for 119.7 million travelers, which is a 2.2% increase from 2024.</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-10 151722-1765405796099.png">Traveling by car is the favorite for the holidays. AAA notes gas prices, on average, are also down in comparison to 2024.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-10 151733-1765406300348.png"></p><p>Air travel is also up since 2024 by 2.3%. AAA expects 8.03 million people to be traveling to their destinations for the holidays via airplane. This will be the first time air travel for the year end holiday will exceed 8 million.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-10 151738-1765406099314.png">All other travel has also gone up by 9% since last year. This includes cruises, bus travel, and travel by train.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-10 151743-1765406410699.png">The top 10 destinations domestically are as follows:</p><ol><li><p>Orlando, FL</p></li><li><p>Fort Lauderdale, FL</p></li><li><p>Miami, FL</p></li><li><p>Anaheim/Los Angeles, CA</p></li><li><p>Honolulu, HI</p></li><li><p>Tampa, FL</p></li><li><p>New York City, NY</p></li><li><p>Maui, HI</p></li><li><p>Dallas/Fort Worth, TX</p></li><li><p>Las Vegas, NV</p></li></ol><p>For those major destinations, below are the busiest travel times.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-10 151754-1765406540451.png">More more information on the AAA travel forecast, including details on best and worst travel times: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/12/aaa-year-end-holiday-travel-forecast/"><strong><em>Year-End Holiday Travel Expected to Set New Record</em></strong></a>.</p>

Patrick Crawford

End of Year Travel Expected to Break Records

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<p><strong>WEST - </strong>A river of moisture has been directed towards the western United States for the last week, bringing record rainfall, historic river flooding, and damage to homes and property. While this river will shift to California through some of the early weekend, we're still not out of the woods in the Pacific Northwest.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2001283739846906166" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2001283739846906166"></div><h1>Forecast Timing</h1><p>Moving forward, the heaviest of the rain will be focused in on California. However, our northwestern mountains will be stuck in the clouds so we can expect heavy snowfall totals to start to accumulate. Most of these systems have been seeing warm moisture as opposed to cold moisture, so snow levels have been quite high. With the cooler Pacific air behind the system, it should be could enough to keep accumulating snowfall.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/FORECAST-1766193036916.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>As snow levels drop, winter weather will complete the trifecta of weather hazards with this system. Some winter alerts continue through the weekend.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/PIC 2-1766193079854.jpg"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-19 114448-1766170540680.png"></p><p>Rainfall totals have surpassed 7-8 inches already, with more on the way. The heaviest of the rain looks to line up farther south, aiming at Oregon and northern California.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-17 183807-1766021892377.png">Additional rounds of heavy rain and snow are expected into the week. We won't have a lot of new snow when temperatures begin to drop.</p><p>Through Christmas, the Climate Prediction Center has a higher confidence that conditions will stay wetter than normal.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-17 183826-1766021911839.png">For more details, be sure to join us live at :50 past the hour for your Western Regional forecast.</p>

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER: Winds Topping 100 MPH In the Northwest

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Dave Holder

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<p>As wind intensifies once again across the Front Range with a dry, downsloping wind, fire weather conditions have dramatically increased. In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a somewhat rare Critical Fire Risk from Boulder to Cheyenne (above).</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-19 123816-1766173281347.png"></p><p>Red Flag Warnings will remain in place across the Denver metro area, northward into the High Plains of Wyoming, for the rest of the night.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-19 123131-1766173410757.png"></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPs_4Hc38Ok" start="0"></iframe></div><p>In addition, within the Red Flag Warning is a higher-end, PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Warning. Here, to the west of a line from Golden to Boulder to Lyons, wind gusts could exceed 100mph! With down-sloping winds, relative humidity will be low, possibly dropping into the single digits at times.</p><p></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-19 123825-1766173570820.png"></p><p>Enhancing the wildfire potential is the amount of fuel. The Front Range of northern Colorado into Wyoming has been very dry as of late. A Moderate to Severe Drought remains highlighted across the entire Red Flag Warning area.</p><p></p>

Extreme Critical Fire Risk in Colorado Friday

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<p>It's been a cold start to the week for millions! Areas around the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley took the most recent Arctic outbreak on the chin, with temperatures plummeting below zero in some instances. On Monday, as winds flipped out of the south, we began to thaw out and most of us are feeling either seasonable or above average by Wednesday. However...</p><p>...The Arctic air isn't getting shoved too far away. This week, we unlock another block of the cold stuff and slide it southward. The good news? It looks like it's not quite as brutal as the last shot.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/PIC 2-1766108303423.jpg"></p><p>A system will emerge out of the Rockies again, moving into much warmer temperatures by Wednesday. How much rain/snow/mud will that system drop?<br>Relate Article: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/rainy-system-to-move-over-snow">Sloppy System Moves into the Midwest</a></p><p>More importantly, the temperatures swinging on the other side of it will send another chill down the spine of the Heartland. Wednesday night will be the rudest, while Thursday night will likely be the coldest, but should see the winds subsiding. Bismarck, the usual poster child for nasty cold, will only top out in the single digits Thursday afternoon and Grand Forks will be near 20 below Friday AM.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Web 4-1766069713419.png"></p><p>Like a trampoline, temperatures rebound the following day for most.</p><p></p>

Returning Back to the Freezer This Week

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Brittany Lockley

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<p><strong>NORTHERN PLAINS - </strong>A low-pressure system originating from the northwest has moved through the plains and is now pushing into the Great Lakes. This system will move into warmer air, so models are favoring rainfall, as opposed to snowfall. There are winter alerts and blizzard warnings that remain in effect for snow and low visibility. Wind gusts can be as high as 70 mph, with an additional 1-4" of snowfall in the blizzard warning.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-18 075831-1766069925707.png">There have been several recently clipper systems that moved into the Northern tier of the country. The systems dumped a decent amount of snowfall, whch lead to a  a decent snowpack on the ground across the plains and the Great Lakes.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-18 075856-1766070030595.png">With this next system moving in and bringing rain, this could lead to a bit of slush out there as the rain melts away the snowfall. The system moves through fast and over the Midwest and into the northeast on Thursday.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-18 07-59-22-1766069997751.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Precipitation totals will be fairly minimal because of the speed at which this system moves through.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-18 075911-1766070017438.png">For some, temperatures will be impacted by this front. For instance, look at Bismarck, North Dakota, a high of 42 on Wednesday and 30 degrees cooler by Thursday with a high of 10.</p><p>For more details on this, be sure to join us on WeatherNation live! We stream 24/7.</p>

Messy System Moving into the Midwest

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<p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-deploys-new-generation-of-ai-driven-global-weather-models"><em>FROM NOAA:</em></a></p><p><strong>A collage of weather systems, including thunderstorms, rain, heat waves, and fair weather. <span>(Image credit above: iStock)</span></strong></p><p>NOAA has launched a groundbreaking new suite of operational, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven global weather prediction models, marking a significant advancement in forecast speed, efficiency, and accuracy. The models will provide forecasters with faster delivery of more accurate guidance, while using a fraction of computational resources.</p><p>“NOAA’s strategic application of AI is a significant leap forward in American weather model innovation,” said&nbsp;Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “These AI models reflect a new paradigm for NOAA in providing improved accuracy for large-scale weather and tropical tracks, and faster delivery of forecast products to meteorologists and the public at a lower cost through drastically reduced computational expenses.”&nbsp;</p><p>The new suite of AI weather models includes three distinct applications:</p><ul><li><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/data/nccf/com/aigfs/prod/"><strong><u>AIGFS (Artificial Intelligence Global Forecast System)</u></strong></a>: A weather forecast model that implements AI to deliver improved weather forecasts more quickly and efficiently (using up to 99.7% less computing resources) than its traditional counterpart.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/data/nccf/com/aigefs/prod/"><strong><u>AIGEFS (Artificial Intelligence Global Ensemble Forecast System)</u></strong></a>: An AI-based ensemble system that provides a range of probable forecast outcomes to meteorologists and decision-makers. Early results show improved performance over the traditional GEFS, extending forecast skill by an additional 18 to 24 hours.</p></li><li><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://nomads.ncep.noaa.gov/pub/data/nccf/com/hgefs/prod/"><strong><u>HGEFS (Hybrid-GEFS)</u></strong></a>: A pioneering, hybrid "grand ensemble" that combines the new AI-based AIGEFS (above) with NOAA’s flagship ensemble model, the Global Ensemble Forecast System. Initial testing shows that this model, a first-of-its kind approach for an operational weather center, consistently outperforms both the AI-only and physics-only ensemble systems.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><h4><strong>More about the new AI operational models</strong></h4><p><strong>AIGFS</strong>&nbsp;— a new AI-based system that uses a variety of data sources to generate weather forecasts comparable to those produced by traditional weather prediction systems, such as GFS.</p><ul><li><p>Performance: shows improved forecast skill over the traditional GFS for many large-scale features. Notably, it demonstrates a significant reduction in tropical cyclone track errors at longer lead times.</p></li><li><p>Efficiency: AIGFS’s most transformative feature. A single 16-day forecast uses only 0.3% of the computing resources of the operational GFS and finishes in approximately 40 minutes. This reduced latency means forecasters get critical data more quickly than they do from the traditional GFS.</p></li><li><p>Area for future improvement: Though track forecasts are better, v1.0 shows a degradation in tropical cyclone intensity forecasts, which future versions will address.</p><p><em><img src="https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-12/AIGFS_precip_300.png" alt="A map graphic of the AIGFS forecast from December 10, 2025, showing heavy precipitation from an atmospheric river hitting the U.S. Pacific Northwest." title="A map graphic of the AIGFS forecast from December 10, 2025, showing heavy precipitation from an atmospheric river hitting the U.S. Pacific Northwest. (Image credit: NOAA National Weather Service)"></em></p><p><strong><span>This AIGFS forecast in the form of a map, for December 10, 2025, shows the heavy precipitation from an atmospheric river hitting the U.S. Pacific Northwest. AI weather models like this one will protect life and property by improving forecast accuracy and timeliness for events such as the catastrophic flooding that impacted the Northwest.</span> <span>(Image credit: NOAA National Weather Service)</span></strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>AIGEFS</strong>&nbsp;— an AI-based 31-member ensemble, similar to the GEFS, that provides a range of possibilities for weather forecasters and decision-makers rather than a single forecast model solution.</p><ul><li><p>Performance: forecast skill is comparable to the operational GEFS.</p></li><li><p>Efficiency: requires only 9% of the computing resources of the operational GEFS.</p></li><li><p>Area for future improvement: developers continue to improve the ensemble’s ability to create a range of forecast outcomes.&nbsp;</p></li></ul><p><strong>HGEFS</strong>&nbsp;— the most innovative application in the new suite. The HGEFS is a 62-member "grand ensemble" created by combining the 31 members of the physical GEFS with the 31 members of the AI-based AIGEFS.</p><ul><li><p>Performance: by combining two different modeling systems (one physics-based, one AI-based), the HGEFS creates a larger, more robust ensemble that more effectively represents forecast uncertainty. As a result, the HGEFS consistently outperforms both the GEFS and the AIGEFS across most major verification metrics.</p></li><li><p>A NOAA first: to our knowledge, NOAA is the first organization in the world to implement such a hybrid physical-AI ensemble system.</p></li><li><p>Area for future improvement: NOAA continues its work to improve HGEFS’s hurricane intensity forecasts.</p></li></ul><h4><strong>A NOAA and industry-wide effort</strong></h4><p>This initial model suite is an outgrowth of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.epic.noaa.gov/ai/eagle-overview/"><u>Project EAGLE</u></a>,&nbsp;a joint initiative between NOAA's National Weather Service, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research labs, the Environmental Modeling Center in NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction, and the Earth Prediction Innovation Center.</p><p>“Using Project EAGLE and the Earth Prediction Innovation Center, NOAA scientists continue to work with members of academia and private industry on more advancements in forecasting technology,” added Jacobs.</p><p>The team leveraged Google DeepMind's GraphCast model as an initial foundation and fine-tuned the model using NOAA's own Global Data Assimilation System analyses. This additional training with NOAA data improved the Google model's performance, particularly when using GFS-based initial conditions.</p>

Administrator

NOAA Deploys New Generation Of AI-Driven Global Weather Models

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<p>Rounds of arctic air have been funneling in from the north, and those bitterly cold temperatures remain this week. There are widespread cold alerts (above) from the Midwest all the way down to the Gulf Coast! Millions are waking up and feeling the chill Monday morning. Feels like temperatures have dropped anywhere from -15° to -25°. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-15 043840-1765798727558.png"></p><p>High pressure will slide in over the next day or two, bringing back some thawing temperatures. We'll start to feel better by this afternoon, with temperatures threatening some record highs by Tuesday! </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-14 115901-1765738749952.png">Tell that to folks waking up in the southeast, though! The wind chill has falling into the single digits here!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-14 034530-1765709162977.png">The thaw here will take a day or two, with temperatures closer to average by the middle of the week. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/FKDSSSS-1765759545765.png"></p>

Blizzard Conditions In the Upper Midwest

Blizzard Conditions In the Upper Midwest

Severe Threat Increasing in the Midwest Today

Severe Threat Increasing in the Midwest Today

Top Weather Events of 2025

Top Weather Events of 2025

Arctic Air Returns This Weekend

Arctic Air Returns This Weekend

Record Warmth For One More Day

Record Warmth For One More Day

Flooding Risk In California Continues

Flooding Risk In California Continues

West Facing Record Low Snow Levels

West Facing Record Low Snow Levels

Brief Snow Before Christmas in the Northeast

Brief Snow Before Christmas in the Northeast

Track Santa with NORAD: 70 Years of Holiday Magic

Track Santa with NORAD: 70 Years of Holiday M

End of Year Travel Expected to Break Records

End of Year Travel Expected to Break Records

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER: Winds Topping 100 MPH In the Northwest

ATMOSPHERIC RIVER: Winds Topping 100 MPH In t

Extreme Critical Fire Risk in Colorado Friday

Extreme Critical Fire Risk in Colorado Friday

Returning Back to the Freezer This Week

Returning Back to the Freezer This Week

Messy System Moving into the Midwest

Messy System Moving into the Midwest

NOAA Deploys New Generation Of AI-Driven Global Weather Models

NOAA Deploys New Generation Of AI-Driven Glob

Arctic Blast Settles into the Southeast

Arctic Blast Settles into the Southeast