textproduct: NWS Birmingham
This forecast discussion was created in the public domain by the National Weather Service. It can be found in its original form here.
KEY MESSAGES
Issued at 609 PM CST WED NOV 4 2026
- Severe Weather: A Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) is in place for eastern portions of the state this afternoon through 10 PM. Damaging winds and an isolated tornado are the main severe weather threats.
- Areas of Fog: Areas of fog will develop behind the storms across Central Alabama tonight. The lowest visibility is expected across the western half of the area. Allow extra time for travel. - Cooldown Ahead: Get the jackets ready for the end of the week, with even colder morning temperatures through the weekend. Behind a front mid to upper 30s for the weekend into the first half of next week.
- Frost and Freeze Potential: There is a medium probability of needing a Frost Advisory for portions of the area as early as Saturday night/Sunday morning. There is also a low probability of near freezing temperatures in the far northern areas.
DISCUSSION
(This afternoon through Tuesday) Issued at 1237 PM CST WED NOV 4 2026
This afternoon, a surface low will move out of Iowa and Wisconsin toward Upper Michigan by Thursday, dragging a cold front across much of the Gulf Coast States, including Central Alabama. Shower activity will become widespread ahead of this front, along with a few thunderstorms supported by frontal forcing. Latest guidance continues to redevelop activity right along the cold front this afternoon into tonight, which presents the severe potential across the forecast area. Looking at current conditions, we are seeing slightly more vertical cloud development along the line in West Alabama, though no lightning has been observed yet. Dew points in the low 70s and partial clearing are yielding decent CAPE values, albeit with a skinny CAPE profile, and sounding data indicates a persistent warm layer aloft. While modest deep-layer shear is present, low-level shear/SRH remains weak. Based off a special 18z sounding
By Thursday, the system will continue to progress through the SE portions of the CWA with all precipitation expected to exit Central Alabama by late Thursday evening. Behind the front on Friday, a much colder Canadian ridge will build to lower the temperatures back into the 40s (and maybe some mid to upper 30s) for lows across Central Alabama for this weekend into the first part of next week. Guidance is trending colder behind this front with each successive run. There is a medium chance that we could see our first frost as early as Saturday night/Sunday morning now. This would be the first of multiple days where portions of the area may see frost and even freezing temperatures in the normally cooler locations. .
16 and 32/JDavis
AVIATION
(00Z TAFS) Issued at 609 PM CST WED NOV 4 2026
A broad line of SHRA and TSRA ahead of a surface front are continuing to move across Central Alabama ATTM extending from KANB to just S of KMGM, and W of KTOI. This activity will continue E/SE this evening. MVFR CIGs and IFR-MVFR VSBYs may occur with this activity. Behind it we are clearing in the W near TCL where post rain fog has developed. It may not last all night if some of the drier air behind the front works its way into the area, but the lower VSBYs could get closer to BHM/EET if we get a little more clearing behind storms. Elsewhere closer to the front, MVFR then IFR-LIFR cigs will develop as the night progresses as the front slows down/temporarily stalls. Conditions should not go to VFR until 15-20z from W to E. A few more showers may be noted near AUO during the afternoon on Thursday closer to the front.
08
FIRE WEATHER
MinRHs remain well above critical thresholds over the next couple of days. Rain continues through tonight. Winds will shift southeast to southwest today ahead of a front and shift further as it moves through the area. Drier and cooler conditions return Friday.
PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS
Gadsden 56 75 46 75 / 20 0 0 0 Anniston 60 76 50 74 / 60 10 0 0 Birmingham 56 74 50 73 / 10 0 0 0 Tuscaloosa 53 76 48 76 / 10 0 0 0 Calera 58 75 52 73 / 20 0 0 0 Auburn 65 77 58 75 / 60 30 10 0 Montgomery 64 78 55 76 / 60 20 0 0 Troy 64 79 57 76 / 40 30 10 0
BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
None.
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