Viewers react after Fox meteorologist Janice Dean announcement – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Janice Dean, the Fox News meteorologist and author whose smile greeted millions of viewers for more than 20 years, gave an emotional farewell on X and Facebook June 25.
Dean stepped away from Fox in late 2025 as she battled multiple sclerosis, symptoms aggravated by early-morning shifts, long hours on her feet, and the stress of live broadcasting.
“Goodbyes are hard. But they are necessary before you can meet again,” Dean posted on Facebook, adding her doctors said stepping away was necessary for her health.
Dean announced on X and Facebook June 25 she would be leaving Fox as she continues to battle health issues related to multiple sclerosis.
“There’s no cure for MS and over time my symptoms have progressed. Unfortunately, lack of sleep and stress are some of the biggest triggers and I was increasingly feeling the effects of my limitations.
“Ultimately, my symptoms progressed to the point that I can no longer continue working in my role,” Dean said. “My doctors agreed that stepping away was necessary for my health.”
“There’s so many things I’ll miss, the friends I’ve met, of course, the places I’ve visited, the storms I’ve covered and the millions of viewers who have invited me into their homes every morning.
“Through the good times and the bad, the dark clouds and the sunshine, you’ve always been there for me.
“My favorite part was meeting so many of you in person. The smiles, the hugs, the kids that came to do the weather with me. Those are the moments I remember the most.
“But I know how lucky I was and that’s why it’s so hard to finally say the words.
“So maybe I’ll call this as my mostly sunny goodbye because for every goodbye there’s always the next hello. And maybe the chance to meet again, one day, in a different place, at another time.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Janice Dean joined Fox News Channel in January 2004 and served as senior meteorologist for the network.
She was the morning meteorologist for Fox’s signature morning show, “Fox & Friends” and contributed to Fox Weather, Fox News Media’s free ad-supported streaming television weather service.
Throughout her tenure with the network, Dean has covered every major weather event across the United States, according to her biography on Fox.
Dean also has written several books, including a children’s series tailored towards teaching the weather, “Freddy the Frogcaster.” She donated all of the earnings from her most recent “Freddy” title to Team Rubicon, an organization dedicated to providing disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters. 
In 2019, she released her memoir, “Mostly Sunny: How I Learned to Keep Smiling Through the Rainiest Days” and in 2021, published “Make Your Own Sunshine: Inspiring Stories of People Who Find Light in Dark Times.”
“Throughout her 22-year career with FOX News Media, Janice Dean has inspired viewers with her warmth, resilience, and dedication,” Fox News Media said via email.
“Her willingness to share her personal journeys has touched countless lives and served as a source of strength and encouragement to many. We fully support Janice’s courageous decision to step away from her role as senior meteorologist on “FOX & Friends” and are grateful for her many contributions.”
Comments were quick to follow Dean’s announcement she would be leaving Fox, including:
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Known as MS, it can cause numbness, weakness, trouble walking, vision changes, and other symptoms. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage to the nerve fibers.
Symptoms of MS depend on the person, the location of damage in the nervous system, and how bad the damage is to the nerve fibers. Some people lose the ability to walk on their own or move at all.
“There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are treatments to help speed the recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.”
Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis include:
This story has been updated to include new information.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
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