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><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>

Alana Cameron

Track Santa with NORAD: 70 Years of Holiday Magic

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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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<h1><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2025-atlantic-hurricane-season-marked-by-striking-contrasts">COURTESY: NOAA</a></h1><p>The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/index.php?season=2025&amp;basin=atl"><u>2025 Atlantic hurricane season</u></a>, which officially ended on November 30, was notable for its striking contrast — wavering between periods of relative calm and bursts of intense activity, generating very powerful storms. Overall, the season fell within the predicted ranges for named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes issued in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/prediction-remains-on-track-for-above-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season"><u>NOAA’s seasonal outlooks</u></a>.</p><p style="text-align: start">"For the first time in a decade, not a single hurricane struck the U.S. this season, and that was a much needed break,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Still, a tropical storm caused damage and casualties in the Carolinas, distant hurricanes created rough ocean waters that caused property damage along the East Coast, and neighboring countries experienced direct hits from hurricanes."</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IhS5UIupb2I" start="0"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: start">“The 2025 season was the first year NOAA’s National Hurricane Center incorporated Artificial Intelligence model guidance into their forecasts,” added Jacobs. “The NHC performed exceedingly well when it came to forecasting rapid intensification for some of the more impactful storms and provided critical decision support for our Caribbean partners.”</p><p style="text-align: start">The Atlantic basin produced 13 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which five became hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), including four major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or greater. An&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/Background.html"><u>average season</u></a> has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.</p><p style="text-align: start"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 140651-1764191236763.png"></p><p style="text-align: start">“Throughout the hurricane season, and all year long, the National Weather Service works around the clock to meet our mission of saving lives, protecting property and enhancing the national economy,” said Ken Graham, director, NOAA's National Weather Service. “I'm grateful to this talented team for their steadfast dedication to the safety of the American public.”</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZNYtjpRm0JE" start="0"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: start">While the climatological peak of the hurricane season was quiet with no tropical activity, the season generated three Category 5 hurricanes, the second-most on record in a single season.&nbsp;“Fortunately, short-term weather patterns largely steered tropical systems away from the United States,” Graham added.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 140535-1764191145942.png">Tropical cyclone names are selected each year by the World Meteorological Organization (online at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wmo.int/).(Image">https://wmo.int/)</a></p><h2 style="text-align: start"><strong>Atlantic Basin: Key Storms and Statistics</strong></h2><p style="text-align: start"><strong>Tropical Storm Andrea</strong> formed on June 23, kicking off the season.&nbsp;<strong>Tropical storms Barry and Chantal</strong> then developed in rapid succession, before activity took a pause. The remnants of Barry added to the catastrophic flooding events in southern Texas on the Fourth of July.</p><p style="text-align: start"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 140753-1764191281552.png">Chantal was the only storm to make landfall in the U.S., bringing excessive rainfall and flooding to North Carolina.</p><p style="text-align: start"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 140859-1764191350109.png"></p><p style="text-align: start"><strong>Hurricane Erin</strong> was the first Category 5 storm of the season and brought storm surge and tropical storm conditions to the North Carolina Outer Banks and rough surf and rip currents along the East Coast. Erin underwent rapid intensification, and is tied for the fifth-fastest 24-hour increase in maximum sustained winds on record, from 75 mph to 160 mph. Erin also tied for the third-fastest 24-hour pressure drop in the Atlantic basin on record, dropping 83 millibars from 998 mb to 915 mb.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: start"><strong>Hurricane Humberto</strong> became the second Category 5 hurricane, and soon after,&nbsp; <strong>Hurricane Imelda</strong> developed and became the final storm of September.&nbsp;Humberto was helpful in pulling Imelda out into the Atlantic and away from the U.S. coast. Still, despite the fact that they were thousands of miles away, they still brought coastal erosion to the Outer Banks for North Carolina.</p><p style="text-align: start"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 141013-1764191422252.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 141148-1764191520342.png"></p><p style="text-align: start"><strong>Hurricane Melissa</strong> developed into the third Category 5 hurricane of the season, and became one of the strongest Atlantic basin hurricane landfalls on record when it made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, bringing extensive damage to Jamaica, Hispaniola, and eastern Cuba. Melissa was the fourth storm to undergo rapid intensification this year, with a 115-mph wind increase and a 90 millibar decrease in central pressure in a 72-hour period ending at 11 a.m. EDT on October 28.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: start">Four days before Melissa’s landfall in Jamaica, the NHC projected a path over western Jamaica, a forecast that ended up with a track difference of only about 13 miles. “NHC’s intensity forecasts for Melissa outperformed every model at nearly every lead time and provided almost three days of advance notice that Melissa would make landfall in Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 hurricane,” said Michael Brennan, Ph.D., director, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. “This lead time was remarkable because it was the first time NHC forecasted a hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity from such a low initial intensity when the forecast was first issued.”</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-26 141250-1764191579687.png"></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xyG0HraZqRI" start="0"></iframe></div><hr><h2 style="text-align: start"><strong>Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season</strong></h2><p style="text-align: start">Hurricane season activity was near-normal for both the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/index.php?season=2025&amp;basin=epac"><u>Eastern Pacific basin</u></a> and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/index.php?season=2025&amp;basin=cpac"><u>Central Pacific basin</u></a> and fell within predicted ranges, respectively.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: start">The Eastern Pacific basin hurricane season produced 18 named storms, with nine becoming hurricanes and three intensifying to major hurricane status. Two named storms formed in the Central Pacific basin, with one, Iona, becoming a major hurricane well south of Hawaii. Eastern Pacific storms Henriette and Kiko were also hurricanes in the Central Pacific that passed northeast of Hawaii with little impact to the state.</p><h2 style="text-align: start"><strong>Season Scorecard: NOAA’s Research and Response</strong></h2><p style="text-align: start">This season,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/aircraft-operations/about/hurricane-hunters"><u>NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft</u></a> flew 417 mission hours to collect atmospheric data that is critical to hurricane forecasting and research, passing through the eye of a hurricane 53 times and deploying more than 1,300 scientific instruments.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: start"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/"><u>NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory</u></a> hurricane researchers participated in&nbsp;52 Hurricane Hunter missions, processing&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/real-time-doppler-radar/"><u>Tail Doppler Radar</u></a> scans and more than 1,100&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-operations/dropsondes-minisondes-advancing-atmospheric-research"><u>dropsonde</u></a>&nbsp;profiles that were used to inform real-time decisions and improve forecasts. For the first time, an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/mini-ocean-robot-collects-data-in-category-5-hurricane/#:~:text=NOAA%20has%20teamed%20up%20with,27%2D29%2C%202025"><u>uncrewed surface vehicle</u></a> captured and transmitted data from inside a Category 5 hurricane (Humberto) — a groundbreaking step in the mission to improve weather forecasting capabilities using new technologies.</p><p style="text-align: start">NOAA's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/"><u>National Ocean Service</u></a> captured thousands of aerial images in the wake of hurricanes&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/aug25/ngs-hurricane-erin.html"><u>Erin</u></a> and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/melissa/index.html#9/18.18/-77.39"><u>Melissa</u></a>.&nbsp;After Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica, NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey supported the U.S. Department of State with its humanitarian response and recovery efforts, using&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-operations"><u>NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations aircraft and crews</u></a>. NOAA aircraft captured high-resolution imagery across approximately 1,573 square miles (4,075 square kilometers), logging over 55 flight hours and collecting nearly 15,000 image frames.</p><h2 style="text-align: start"><strong>Storm-by-Storm Analysis&nbsp;</strong></h2><p style="text-align: start">NOAA’s National Hurricane Center will produce a Tropical Cyclone Report to comprehensively document each named storm from the 2025 season. The reports will be published as they are completed through early next year and will be available on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/index.php?season=2025&amp;basin=atl"><u>Tropical Cyclone Report site</u></a>.</p>

Tracey Anthony

Atlantic Hurricane Season Closes Near Normal

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<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #454545;">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></span></p>

Rob Bradley

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<p>An early intrusion of arctic air moved through much of the Eastern United States to start the week, bringing the first snow of the season to many and helping several ski resorts open their doors this week! While the Great Lakes were dealing with heavy lake effect snow, a burst of snow around a small low pressure system moved from the Midwest into Tennessee and the Carolinas, surprising some residents in the Mid-South.<br></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1988418970186379679" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1988418970186379679"></div><p><br>Snow totals were able to top 6 inches on many of the higher peaks and ridges through the Appalachians, including in North Carolina. A trace of snow was even reported in the Piedmont of North Carolina and in northern Georgia!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-12 133729-1762979865164.png"><br>The Northeast reported totals of over 12 inches as well with the early week system, which aids the ski resorts that have already been making snow for over a week or two thanks to colder temperatures the last few weeks. Despite the two week head start on snow making, a resort in North Carolina became the first in the East to open its slopes to riders on Tuesday, beating New England resorts like Killington (VT) and Sunday River (ME) by one day! Those resorts opened Wednesday, the 12th, for the first time this season. <br><br>We spoke to the Vice President at Sugar Mountain in Avery County, near Banner Elk, about the early start to the season.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ntY0Do7E3h4" start="0"></iframe></div><p><br>For the latest forecast for the East, tune in at :10 past the hour or get the forecast on demand anytime with the WeatherNation app.</p>

Jesse Kelley

Cold Weather Helps Several East Coast Ski Resorts Open Early

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<p><strong>OREGON</strong> - Oregon's Coastal Management Program needs your help in researching King Tides and how they shape the state's coastlines. We spoke with them in November to learn more about their project and how residents can help them better understand what's happening across the state's coastlines.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/king-tides-return-to-start-the-month"><strong>Learn more on what King Tides are.</strong></a></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y7BQVBOF-dg" start="0"></iframe></div><p>To learn more about their mission you can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/53b554eaecdf40e6a7a3bed75e30a01c"><strong>visit their website</strong></a> and learn more about how you can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/53b554eaecdf40e6a7a3bed75e30a01c/page/Participate"><strong>submit to their photo contest</strong></a>. It's important to remember to always stay safe when around King Tides, and to never turn your back to the ocean as sneaker waves can drag people out to sea.</p><h2><strong>NEXT ROUND OF KING TIDES:</strong></h2><p>There are two more rounds of King Tides expected through the winter of 2025/26:</p><p>December 4th - 6th, 2025</p><p>January 1st - 4th 2026</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-02 054718-1762088653776-1762811767433.png"></p><p><span style="color: rgb(40, 42, 58)">King tides are most pronounced when the moon is at its closest point to the Earth in its orbit, which is known as perigee. This is happening at the same time as the full moon for both November and December, creating what's known as a supermoon. During these supermoon events, the moon will be about 14,000 miles closer to the Earth than normal!</span></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-02 060337-1762088634156-1762811794605.png"></p>

Oregon Studying King Tides: How You Can Help

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<p><strong>HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL</strong> - As temperatures begin to dip as part of an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Arctic%20Blast%20To%20Bring%20Freezing%20Air%20to%20Millions%20of%20Americans"><strong>arctic blast set to impact millions</strong></a> across the eastern tier of the country, one Florida county is opening warming shelters ahead of the cold weather.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1987939977561571410" src="https://x.com/CityofTampa/status/1987939977561571410"></div><p>At least six warming shelters across Hillsborough County will be open on Monday, November 10th, and Tuesday, November 11th to help house those weather the chilly temps. Felicia Crosby-Rucker, the director of Homeless and Community Services for the county said they're looking for more community and faith-based partners to open more shelters.</p><p><strong>FULL INTERVIEW:</strong> </p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x9nahTmQmAg" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p><strong>THE FORECAST:</strong></p><p>Temperatures in Tampa are expected to dip to near freezing on Monday evening, with wind chills below 40 degrees. The wind chill threshold is what activates the warming shelters opening in the Tampa area. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/FL Tue Am Lows-1762806505871.png"></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/FL Cold Weather Advisory-1762806505868.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Potential Record Lows-1762806505873.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Tampa 7 Day-1762806505872.png"><span style="color: rgb(40, 42, 58)">This early blast of winter is a reminder that the transition from autumn to winter can happen abruptly when large-scale atmospheric patterns align. People should prepare by checking heating systems, protecting exposed pipes, and dressing in multiple insulating layers to guard against hypothermia and frostbite. The cold pattern may linger for several days before a gradual moderation occurs as the upper-level flow begins to flatten and the jet stream retreats northward.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">&nbsp;</span></p>

Jackie Brown

Warming Shelters Open in Florida as Arctic Blast Takes Hold

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<h3><strong>Melissa made landfall on Tuesday, October 28th, around 1:00 PM ET near New Hope, Jamaica, as a Category 5 hurricane, the 3rd strongest Hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, with a central pressure dropping to 892 mb. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 185 mph.</strong></h3><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1984077869409325158" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1984077869409325158"></div><h3><strong>Hurricane Melissa made its second landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday near the city of Chivirico as a Category 3 storm before moving past Bermuda Thursday night.</strong></h3><ul><li><p>Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding caused major damage in Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.</p></li><li><p>Wind damage is widespread and catastrophic across western Jamaica.</p></li><li><p>Melissa became a post-tropical cyclone on Friday and moved into the north Atlantic.</p></li></ul><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1983196616640299223" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1983196616640299223"></div><h1>How Can You Help?</h1><p>There are many reputable organizations that are offering relief to Jamaicans impacted by Melissa. We recommend doing your own research about any organization you plan to donate to, but here are a few that have a history of helping. Cash donations are recommended instead of donating items like food and clothing.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-01 053852-1761997309915.png"></p><p>Tune into WeatherNation for the top weather headlines for more on the tropics.</p>

How to Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

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Kevin Schneider

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<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y7BQVBOF-dg" start="0"></iframe></div><p>Coastal areas will be dealing with intrusions of ocean water, known as coastal flooding, during the week ahead with the return of king tides!</p><h2>What is a "king tide?"</h2><p>When the gravitational pull of the sun and moon are both higher than normal, high and low tides become more pronounced, leading to flooding during high tide and potentially low water issues during the low tides.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-02 051621-1762088418982.png">This happens most often from the fall through the spring as the sun's gravitational pull on the earth is the strongest. Despite winter conditions in North America, the sun is actually closest to the earth in early January.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-02 051520-1762088418986.png"><br><br>King tides are most pronounced when the moon is at its closest point to the Earth in its orbit, which is known as perigee. This is happening at the same time as the full moon for both November and December, creating what's known as a supermoon. During these supermoon events, the moon will be about 14,000 miles closer to the Earth than normal!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-02 060337-1762088634156.png"><br><br>December will also feature a round of king tides with another supermoon!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/Screenshot 2025-11-02 054718-1762088653776.png"></p>

Patrick Crawford

King Tides Return to U.S. Coastline

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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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<p>Severe storms will continue for areas of the Gulf Coast of Texas during the overnight hours of Sunday morning. The main threat will be large hail with any storms that turn severe.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/PIC 2-1762045016608.jpg"></p><p>The main risk with the severe storms overnight will be large hail.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/PIC 3-1762045029468.jpg"></p><p>The timing of the storms will be for the early morning hours Sunday. Once we reach sunrise on Sunday the severe risk will be gone.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/FORECAST-1762045111508.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Temperatures will nice and comfortable Sunday before creeping back up into the 80s next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/11/1-1762051422243.png"></p>

Severe Storm Threat for Texas Coast Early Sunday Morning

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<p>They aren't out to suck your blood, and they're definitely not rodents, but bats still get a bad wrap and are associated with the spookiest season of all. To learn more about bats, their impacts on the world around us, and how they survive the winter, we spoke with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://naturalist.nwf.org/">David Mizejewski</a>, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zu3Gp7SVawg" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Bats aren't just great at pest control, but they're pollination and seed dispersion machines. The various species are overflowing with incredible benefits, literally. Bat scat or guano provides nutrients that other cave-dwelling creatures rely on. While not every species are cave-dwelling, their perks benefit us all, and their slow reproduction rate makes it hard for them to increase their numbers after devastating events.</p><h2>How you can help:</h2><p>You can learn more about building a bat house to provide a safe home for your local bats on the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native/Habitat-Essentials/Build-a-Bat-House?_ga=2.268011276.382143484.1761602237-914943635.1759956578"><strong><u>National Wildlife Federation's website</u></strong></a>. You can also learn more fun facts about bats via <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://blog.nwf.org/2025/10/october-is-bat-appreciation-month/"><strong><u>their blog</u></strong></a>.</p>

Brian Hartman

Batty for Bats: October is Bat Appreciation Month

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<p>Yes, comets, plural. There are two that will be visible with the assistance of binoculars or a telescope tonight, and for the next few nights.</p><h2>LEMMON</h2><p>Comet Lemmon will be the easiest to spot tonight. Simply a pair of binoculars should be all you need. Find the Big Dipper and loow a little west from there and you should be able to spot it!</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-21 110414-1761066269539.png"></p><h2>SWAN</h2><p>This is the dimmest of the two and might require the help of a telescope. Look to the south after twilight for the best chance.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-21 105821-1761066265799.png">Want the best chance to spot either or both of these tonight? Getting out of the city is always a good idea, but giving your eyes plenty of time to adjust will help. <img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-21 110632-1761066400003.png">You're going to have NO SHOT if you're stuck in the clouds tonight. Luckily, many of us have a pretty clear night in store, with the lone exception around the Great Lakes. If you're unfortunate enough to get the thin band of clouds overhead tonight, give it an hour or two - those hopefully won't linger from West Virginia to Louisiana.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-21 10-59-35-1761066481921.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

FORECAST: Comets Should Be Visible for Many Tonight

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<p>Over the weekend of October 11th, and 12th, thousands of Alaskan residents along the western coast were slammed by the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The one super typhoon dipped below typhoon level strength, but still packed a powerful punch as it battered the coastline.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1978936489565212816" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1978936489565212816"></div><p>Nearly 100 mile per hour winds were recorded and storm surge swept homes off their foundations, leading to one of the most significant airlifts in Alaskan history as coastal villages were evacuated.</p><p>The communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok saw water levels more than 6 feet above their highest tide cycles.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1978173969028272296" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1978173969028272296"></div><p>Multiple shelters across the state have been opened for those whose lives have been impacted by the storm, but many of the communities are not accessible by roads and can only be reached via boat or airplane, making it a challenge for relief work to be done in the area. Local officials said even with emergency repairs many homes will not be livable by winter.</p><p>More than 1000 residents have been evacuated to various locations. Evacuees have been taken to Anchorage, but the trip is over 500 miles away, and while some shelters closer to home like Bethel, AK are open, they have already reached capacity.</p><p>We spoke with multiple organizations assisting with the relief efforts to learn more on what the disaster relief looks like, and the challenges they face to help these communities recover.</p><h1><u>WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN:</u></h1><p>This is the second time WCK has responded to typhoon flooding in Alaska. In 2022, the remnants of Typhoon Merbok pounded Alaska's western coast, affecting 21,000 people during the peak of hunting and gathering season. Together with local groups, WCK delivered fresh food and water to families in need.&nbsp;</p><p>Our teams are flying across the flood-devastated regions of western Alaska to provide dry goods and warm meals to communities in need. WCK teams are working to find and care for as many of these areas as we can.</p><p>You can learn more on how to help the World Central Kitchen's mission via <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wck.org/"><strong><u>their website.</u></strong></a></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HPFONGx7vE0" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><h1><u>AMERICAN RED CROSS:</u></h1><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41)">Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers from across the country are being deployed to support local residents. This could be a prolonged relief operation lasting months as villages have been left inaccessible or unlivable as winter sets in. The Red Cross will also support people in these villages in addition to the relief operation with evacuees in Anchorage.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41)">Donations can be made to the American Red Cross via </span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.redcross.org/"><strong><u><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41)">their website</span></u></strong></a><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41)">, or by texting the word "REDCROSS" to 90999.</span></p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DnoFnFz2yw8" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p>

How to Help Those Impacted by Typhoon Halong

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<p>While we may call it "yard waste", it's actually a valuable resource for wildlife. The autumn leaves may seem like a nuisance, but there's a multitude of critters big and small that call those leaves home, and that's why October is "Leave the Leaves" month.</p><p>We spoke with the National Wildlife Federation to learn more about the month:</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eEw0s1X5lVs" start="0"></iframe></div><p></p><p>You can learn more on how to make your home more wildlife friendly by visiting the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nwf.org/Leavetheleaves"><strong><u>National Wildlife Federation's website</u></strong></a>.</p><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HvyPGCmx6ts" start="0"></iframe></div>

October is Leave the Leaves Month

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<p>La Niña was observed in September, leading to NOAA issuing a La Niña advisory. These conditions are expected to persist through winter into spring, with impacts likely for the upcoming winter season and beyond into next spring. La Niña often plays a role in determining storm tracks during the winter season and severe weather into the spring.</p><h1>What is La Niña?</h1><p>La Niña is one phase of a large circulation over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The prevalent wind direction will churn up cooler or warmer water, based on the direction of the circulation. When winds are prevailing from the east, it churns up cooler waters near the coast of South America and to the west, while areas in the western Pacific see warmer than average water temperatures during this phase. These cooler waters, along with other large scale circulations, impact how air flows across the United States.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-10 110029-1760115646348.png">During strong La Niñas, the jet stream is typically more active from the Northwest through the Great Lakes. This effect is typically less pronounced during weaker events. This often favors better chances for precipitation across the northern tier of the country, including the Northwest and Great Lakes.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-10 095632-1760111817342.png"></p><h1>Impact for Winter 25'-26'</h1><p>NOAA releases their outlook for the upcoming winter season this Thursday (October 16th) but the Climate Prediction Center continuously updates outlooks for three month periods. These outlooks likely won't change much with next week's update but we'll bring you that forecast when it's released. The temperature and precipitation outlooks for December - February show conditions typical for a La Niña year, with below average temperatures favored in the Pacific Northwest.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-10 095641-1760111827269.png"></p><p>The precipitation outlook also favors conditions fairly typical for a La Niña winter, with above average precipitation favored around the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes/Ohio Valley.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-10 095637-1760111827269.png"></p><h1>Spring Severe Weather / Tornado Impacts</h1><p>La Niña is expected to decay through the spring months, which can have a big impact on the severe weather season. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/research_highlight/u-s-regional-tornado-outbreaks-and-their-links-to-spring-enso-phases-and-north-atlantic-sst-variability/">Studies have shown</a> a increase in the potential for tornado outbreaks over certain areas of the country as La Niña decays into a neutral or El Niño phase. These favored areas include the Central/Southern Plains and around the lower Great Lakes into the Mid-Mississippi Valley.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-10 105635-1760115430383.png"></p><p>This phase also <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ENSO_Tornado_Lee.pdf">favors stronger tornadoes</a>, as the number of high end tornadoes and outbreaks increase during this phase.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot 2025-10-10 100658-1760112433708.png"></p><p>Seasonal forecasts are difficult to predict with accuracy, so be sure to check the weather forecasts often with WeatherNation for the latest.</p>

La Niña Advisory Issued, Potential Impacts to Winter Precip & Springtime Tornadoes

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<p>Flash flooding will continue to be possible in the southwestern United States over the next couple of days. Be sure to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home">check your property's flood zone</a> and have a plan to seek higher ground if necessary. NEVER drive through flood waters if you cannot easily see the water's depth or the road below it. Multiple water rescues have been needed over the past few days. Remember, you're not only risking your life but the lives of the first responders if you drive into flooded roads.</p><p></p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="1978098719095406800" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/1978098719095406800"></div><p><br><br>The remnant moisture from the two most recent tropical systems in the Eastern Pacific, Priscilla and Raymond, led to heavy showers and thunderstorms over a wide range of terrain throughout the weekend. And now a trough out west and a ridge out east are helping to funnel moisture into New Mexico and Colorado.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Web1-1760520329985.png"></p><p>In addition to the flood threat, severe storms are possible through Wednesday as the trough moving through the northern Rockies increases wind shear farther south. Damaging wind gusts have been a problem already this week, with places like Tempe clocking 71 mph winds from a microburst.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Web7-1760520445087.png"></p><p>We have seen heavy rain and flooding with these storms, and that threat will continue over the next few days.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/2025-10-15 03-27-44-1760520491582.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>This surge of moisture across the southwest brings forth the chance for excessive rainfall in places like Alamosa, CO all the way down to Santa Fe, NM.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Web3-1760520692663.png"><br>As a result, multiple flood warnings have been issued for several spots near Durango, CO. Some of these areas are near rivers and streams, which in some cases like near Rio Grande, have already seen roughly 8" of rain since the past weekend. This causes these areas to be more prone to flooding once more rain is in the forecast.<br><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/10/Web1-1760521119921.png"><br>We'll be detailing this more live on WeatherNation. For a more immediate update on your southwest regional forecast, be sure to tune in at:50!</p>

Flooding Concern Continues in the Southwest

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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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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!

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<p><strong>TAZEWELL COUNTY, IL </strong> - On December 28th, a strong cold front moving through the Midwest produced dangerous and damaging storms as it moved through. In Illinois, many of these thunderstorms triggered tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service from Lincoln and Chicago in the afternoon. Later in the day, additional tornado warnings were issued by the NWS in Northern Indiana, Paducah, and Louisville, Kentucky. At least two tornadoes have been confirmed.</p><p>One of these tornadoes was in Tazewell County, Illinois. Here is some of the damage that was captured on camera in the area.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2005655047665770791" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2005655047665770791"></div><p>The National Weather Service has confirmed this to be an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 98 mph, leaving behind damage to two outbuildings and numerous trees.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 164352-1767051837245.png">Just down the road in Mount Zion, Illinois, an even stronger tornado was reported with winds of 120 mph, bringing it up to EF-2 in strength. The National Weather Service in Lincoln <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSILX&amp;e=202512292155&amp;bbb=CCA">reports </a>that this tornado tore through it, <em>"removed the majority of the roofs off of 8 homes and  produced complete destruction of a garage that was tossed to the next block."</em></p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 163709-1767051919355.png">This tornado was also captured on camera in Mount Zion.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2005632521158144068" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2005632521158144068"></div><p>After the frontal boundary moved through, temperatures dropped significantly, and some spots even saw snowfall. For more on how the weather will be in these area,s be sure to join us on WeatherNation live for more!</p>

Tornadoes Confirmed In Illinois From Sunday

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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.

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<h1><strong>WHAT TO EXPECT</strong></h1><p>As we are coming off the heels of our last winter event, which brought ice and snow across portions of the Northeast, we will now see a shift to a heavy snowfall event this week. We are expecting more batches of snow to move through the Northeast, accompanied by heavy lake-effect snow. Winter weather alerts are in place through Thursday. Lake effect snow warnings are in place through Tuesday.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/LAKE EFFFF-1767035973415.png"></p><h1>TIMING</h1><p>Multiple lows will move through Tuesday, bringing rounds of snow across the Great Lakes and the Northeast. With each low passing, winds will be out of the West/Northwest, which will help get the lake-effect machine cranking.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/12-29_RNE BAMS OVERNIGHT-1767062842504.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p></p><h1>SNOW TOTALS</h1><p>Tonight through Friday, heavy snow will be possible, with 1 to 2 feet of snow possible, with localized amounts of 3 feet possible for Northern Central New York. Not only will there be heavy snow, but blowing snow can also impact visibility, making travel conditions hazardous.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 194703-1767062852849.png">Tune into WeatherNation :10 past the hour for your eastern regional forecast with the latest updates on the lake-effect snow.</p>

More Rounds of Snow For The Northeast

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<p>As we say goodbye to 2025 and ring in 2026, many parts of the country can expect active weather for this year’s ball drop. In New York City, home to the nation’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, conditions will turn cool through the evening and overnight, with a low chance for a few light snowflakes around midnight. Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, dropping into the 20s.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 194816-1767062903296.png">Here’s an early look at the forecast: a few light snow showers may be possible on New Year’s Eve across the region, but accumulations are not expected.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29 05-26-14-1767011194963.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Did you know the first-ever ball drop originated in New York City back in 1907? Luckily for the spectators who gathered in Times Square on December 31, 1907, the weather cooperated. The day reached a high of 44°F with a low of 35°F, milder than the current normal high of 41°F and low of 30°F for December 31. Still, as the ball dropped at midnight, spectators definitely needed their winter coats, as the 35°F temperature felt colder with 20-mph west winds.</p><p>Across the rest of the country, other unique “ball drops” will be taking place, and in many spots, the weather looks chilly.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 194835-1767062938607.png"><br>Out west, some locations will stay relatively mild. In Boise, Idaho, spectators can enjoy the famous potato drop with temperatures around 40 degrees at midnight.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 194851-1767062943288.png"></p><p>In the Southeast, a giant peach drops in Atlanta, where temperatures at midnight will be in the 30s. Meanwhile, a giant conch shell drops in Key West, with much warmer temperatures in the 60s.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 194843-1767062947503.png"></p><p>Across the rest of the nation, some can expect a cool and rainy New Year's Eve like the southwest, and bitter cold in the northern Plains.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29 05-28-37-1767011338082.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>For a more detailed look at the days leading up to the New Year, be sure to join us on WeatherNation all week long, we’re streaming 24/7!</p>

Weather for the Ball Drop: What to Expect as 2026 Begins

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<p>Sunday brought another day of record warmth, but things have changed after the passing of a very strong frontal boundary. This front sparked up severe storms and snow across the Midwest and northern tier of the country! The air behind this front is much colder, bringing a temperature whiplash! Some cities are 30 to 50 degrees cooler in the last 24 hours! St. Louis is 54° cooler, and Dallas, Chicago, and Little Rock are all 30°+ cooler!</p><p></p><h1>COLD MORNINGS</h1><p>Cold air was in place Monday morning, and the cold, below-average temps remain in place as we start your week. In the <strong>North Central </strong>U.S., cold air will be around Tuesday morning, with a slight rebound on Wednesday, before another blast of cold air moves in on Thursday! Minneapolis will see a morning low of 3° on Tuesday morning, and by Thursday, see a low of -2°. Chicago normally averages 22° for a morning low and will be in the teens on Tuesday and Thursday morning.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/volff-1767040214004.png">The <strong>Southern Plains and Midwest</strong> will run below average as well. Springfield, Illinois, will see a low of 15° on Tuesday morning, which is over 10° below average.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/CENTRAL PLAINSSS-1767040312548.png"><strong>THE SOUTH</strong></p><p>Extreme cold alerts are in place across portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Morning lows will be in the low 30s and 20s, with wind chills in the teens.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/TUESDAY MORNING ERLTS-1767040407192.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/tonighss-1767040425077.png">Make sure you stay tuned to WeatherNation, as we track this frigid air all through the upcoming work week!</p>

Arctic  Air Blasts Central & Southern U.S.

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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>.  4 - 14" of snow will be possible and white out conditions will stick around long after the snow stops falling. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Web1-1767010399907.png"></p><p>The Iowa Department of Transportation reports that portions of the heavily traveled Interstate 35 are closed from Clear Lake to Ames due to hazardous weather conditions.</p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2005641210451407198" src="https://x.com/iowadot/status/2005641210451407198"></div><p>As the frontal system moves through, temperatures will turn colder, and winds will increase, allowing blizzard conditions to continue into the beginning of the workweek.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29 05-13-43-1767010456858.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><p>Snowfall totals could reach several inches, especially with the added influence of lake-effect bands near Lake Superior.</p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Web5-1767010518679.png"></p><p>For more coverage, be sure to watch us live on WeatherNation!</p>

Blizzard Conditions In the Upper Midwest, Portions of I-35 Shutdown

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<p>A cold front is moved 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 continue to bring the threat of 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">The question was IF we had enough ingredients to spin up a few tornadoes, and that looks like it verified. A strong line of showers and storms raced east into the Midwest, with a few embedded areas of rotation along it. </p><div class="twitter-tweet" style="display: flex; justify-content: center" data-twitt-post-id="2005632521158144068" src="https://x.com/WeatherNation/status/2005632521158144068?s=20"></div><p></p><p></p><h1>SURVEYS</h1><p>The NWS office in Central Illinois went out and surveyed the tornado that touched down just south of Peoria Sunday afternoon. An EF-1 tornado is what they said caused the damage, which ranged from a few destroyed outhouses to various trees. </p><p><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot 2025-12-29 055531-1767018557558.jpg">There were other reports of damage thought to be tied to a tornado, but we're still waiting on the survey results to come back in. We'll let you know once they become public.</p><video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29 07-31-03-1767018692213.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>

Tornadoes Touch Down in Illinois Sunday

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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>

Adrian Hernandez

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>

Brief Snow Before Christmas in the Northeast

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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>

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>

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