Viewers of Fox News have recently noticed the absence of Janice Dean, the network’s senior meteorologist and a familiar presence on Fox & Friends. Her sudden disappearance from the broadcast lineup sparked concern among fans who wondered why she had stepped away and whether something had happened. After weeks of speculation, Dean addressed the situation directly on social media, offering clarity about her time off and reassuring supporters that she would eventually return.

Dean revealed that the beginning of her 2025 break wasn’t related to her health at all but stemmed from a long-planned trip to Rome with her husband, Sean, and a group of friends. She said the journey had been in the works for months and was deeply meaningful. Their visit aligned with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, which occurs every 25 years and draws tens of millions of faithful from around the world. For Dean, the pilgrimage was both a spiritual renewal and an experience that lived up to every expectation.

However, what initially appeared to be a brief vacation soon became the start of a longer, more personal hiatus. After returning from Italy, Dean posted another update explaining that she needed additional time away from the spotlight. She assured followers that she was all right but acknowledged she had been dealing with health challenges that required rest and careful attention. In her message, she expressed gratitude toward her colleagues and supervisors, noting that Fox executives had been supportive and understanding. She described her time in Rome as the beginning of emotional and spiritual healing, but said she needed more time to rebuild her physical strength as well.

Dean emphasized that she has always been transparent about her life, which is why she felt compelled to share an explanation rather than disappear without comment. Her openness has long been part of her public identity, particularly regarding her health. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005 at the age of 35, and she has spent years raising awareness about the disease. For those unfamiliar, MS affects the protective sheath surrounding nerves, leading to symptoms that can vary widely — from numbness and weakness to gait issues, vision problems and more. The unpredictable nature of MS means that good days and bad days can arrive without warning.

In a recent social media post, Dean reflected on the two decades since her diagnosis. She revealed that early on, she was advised not to disclose her condition because “no one wants to see a sick person on television.” She chose to reject that advice, deciding instead to speak openly about her journey. Today, she shares her experiences to encourage others with the disease and to advocate for greater awareness and empathy. She undergoes infusion treatments twice a year to manage her symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups. While she did not specify whether her fall 2025 break was due to an MS relapse or something else, her comments made clear that her body needed time to rest.

Dean has spoken in the past about the uncertainty that comes with MS. She told People magazine in 2024 that she is constantly aware of how quickly her mobility can change, saying she could wake up one morning and find walking difficult or impossible. That unpredictability, she noted, makes each day of normalcy something she deeply appreciates.

Although Dean did not give a firm timeline for her return to Fox News, she reassured viewers that she fully intends to come back when she is well enough. The outpouring of messages from fans appeared to touch her, and she made a point to thank them for their patience and support.

Dean’s recent hiatus isn’t the first time she has stepped away from television due to personal health matters. Back in 2017, she took two months off following a cosmetic procedure that went wrong. Hoping for a simple skin rejuvenation treatment on her neck — a fractora laser procedure — she was assured that the recovery would take only a few days. Instead, she found herself dealing with severe swelling and facial asymmetry that made it difficult to speak or eat normally. She later wrote about the ordeal in detail, describing how the left side of her face ballooned and how she struggled to move her lower lip. Her smile became uneven, and she was uncomfortable going on-air because her speech sounded slurred.

When she reviewed the fine print afterward, she discovered that potential complications included nerve damage, lower lip paralysis and temporary changes in facial movement. Although she went back to work shortly after the procedure, she wasn’t able to return to broadcasting until her face had fully healed — a process that took more than two months.

Now, as Dean focuses on recovering from her latest health setback, supporters continue to send well wishes. Her messages have made one thing clear: while she may be taking the time she needs to rest, she won’t be gone forever. And when she’s feeling strong again, she plans to return to the studio and the viewers who’ve missed her presence on their screens.