textproduct: NWS Birmingham

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1239 PM CDT WED MAR 18 2026

- There is a medium chance for patchy frost night across portions of east-central Alabama. A Frost Advisory is in effect until 8AM Thursday.

- Well above average temperatures are expected beginning this weekend and onward.

DISCUSSION

(This afternoon through Tuesday) Issued at 1239 PM CDT WED MAR 18 2026

Temperatures will slowly start to rebound here over the next 48- hours, as a stout upper-level ridge builds in over the west coast. Until then, one more night of well below average temperatures is expected again tonight, with the potential for frost in many of our of eastern counties. Given this potential, we have gone ahead and issued a Frost Advisory for the overnight hours, with temperatures expected to quickly rise as the sun comes up.

From here, the first half of this forecast period will remain influenced by that aforementioned ridge over the west coast. Temperatures will slowly climb, peaking in the low to mid-80s by Sunday. However, this ridge should become slightly suppressed by the start of the new workweek, as a weak 500mb trough starts to work through the Plains and Midwest. This trough will drop a cold front just far enough south to affect our temperatures, with highs on Tuesday and Wednesday ranging in the low to upper-70s. Thankfully, based on current guidance, this is where things should settle into next weekend.

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AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1239 PM CDT WED MAR 18 2026

VFR conditions are anticipated for the entire TAF period.

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FIRE WEATHER

MinRH values will remain near 25% today, before slightly rebounding tomorrow afternoon. However, MinRH values could remain highly variable this week, as the region remains under the influence of a strong high-pressure to our west. No rain is expected the next seven days, and drought conditions will likely expand given the upcoming warm stretch.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Gadsden 34 70 45 76 / 0 0 0 0 Anniston 36 70 46 78 / 0 0 0 0 Birmingham 42 71 50 77 / 0 0 0 0 Tuscaloosa 41 75 49 81 / 0 0 0 0 Calera 39 73 47 81 / 0 0 0 0 Auburn 38 70 48 78 / 0 0 0 0 Montgomery 37 71 47 79 / 0 0 0 0 Troy 36 71 47 78 / 0 0 0 0

BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Frost Advisory from 1 AM to 8 AM CDT Thursday for the following counties: Barbour-Bullock-Calhoun-Chambers-Cherokee-Clay- Cleburne-Coosa-Elmore-Etowah-Lee-Macon-Montgomery-Pike-Randolph- Russell-St. Clair-Talladega-Tallapoosa.