Janice Dean, the 55-year-old senior meteorologist at Fox News who appears on “Fox & Friends,” announced Wednesday, Nov. 12, that she is taking a break from the network and social media to address health issues requiring rest and recovery.
“I wanted to let you all know that I’m taking a break from work (and social media) for a bit,” Dean wrote. “I’m ok, but I’ve had some health issues that require rest and time to heal.”
The longtime weather anchor, who has been with Fox News since 2004, did not disclose the specific nature of her current health challenges or provide a timeline for her return. However, she assured fans that Fox bosses have been supportive of her decision to step away temporarily.
Dean stated she will return to work. She thanked her fans for their support and expressed gratitude for being able to take time off to be with her family. The announcement comes nearly 20 years after Dean was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The disease damages the myelin sheath, the protective coating around nerve cells. While there is currently no cure for MS, various medications and therapies can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
Before receiving her diagnosis, Dean experienced overwhelming fatigue and numbness. The diagnosis came as a shock to the broadcaster who had just joined Fox News.
According to sources, Dean reportedly has the relapsing-remitting form of MS, which is characterized by periods of symptom flare-ups followed by periods of remission. Reports indicate she manages her condition with IV infusion treatments administered every six months to help control flare-ups and maintain her health.
Since her diagnosis, Dean has become an outspoken advocate in the MS community, sharing her personal journey and connecting with others affected by the disease.
Dean is married to Sean Newman, whom she wed in 2007. The couple has two sons, Matthew and Theodore. Her husband Sean accompanied her on a recent trip to Rome, which Dean described as spiritual healing and “a good place to start healing spiritually.” Dean connected her trip to the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year.
In addition to her role on ‘Fox & Friends,’ Dean contributes to FOX Weather, bringing her meteorological expertise to multiple platforms within the Fox News Media family. Beyond her weather reporting, Dean has built a substantial career as an author and advocate. She has written multiple books, including the successful “Freddy the Frogcaster” children’s series that teaches young readers about weather phenomena, with proceeds from her most recent title donated to Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization.
Her 2019 memoir, “Mostly Sunny: How I Learned to Keep Smiling Through the Rainiest Days,” chronicles her journey with MS, followed by “Make Your Own Sunshine: Inspiring Stories of People Who Find Light in Dark Times” in 2021. Dean was awarded the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval in 2009, recognizing her effective communication of weather information to the public. Throughout her 20-year tenure at Fox News, she has covered every major weather event in the United States, most recently providing coverage of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
Dean had a cosmetic procedure issue in 2017 that required extended time away from television.
Dean’s openness about her health struggles has resonated with many viewers and fellow MS patients. She has consistently maintained that despite the challenges posed by multiple sclerosis, she remains committed to her career and to raising awareness about the disease.
In her announcement, Dean expressed that she has always been upfront and honest about her life, which is why she felt she owed her audience an explanation for her absence. She followed up her initial post, thanking fans for their “incredible kindness and support.”
Dean’s colleagues and viewers have expressed support for her decision to take time away from work to focus on recovery.
