textproduct: NWS Birmingham

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1201 AM CDT SAT APR 18 2026

- Critically dry fuels, strong winds, and low Minimum Relative Humidity behind the front will keep fire weather conditions elevated through next week.

DISCUSSION

(Saturday through next Friday) Issued at 1044 PM CDT FRI APR 17 2026

Another fair and warm day is expected today, with afternoon highs climbing into the mid-80s. Thankfully, this pattern will finally begin to break down by the evening hours, as rain chances begin to increase ahead of the cold front. The bad news is, rainfall amounts still look meager at best, with amounts generally ranging between 0.25 and 0.5 inches through Sunday morning.

Temperatures still look to drop some 15-20 degrees behind the cold front, with afternoon highs on Sunday ranging in the upper-60s and low-70s. Given the stiff winds behind the front, and very low RH values, we may push Red Flag Warning criteria is some locations. However, that will need further tuning through the day tomorrow. Otherwise, the rest of the week is "more of the same" as a slight ridge builds back into the area. Afternoon highs will begin to climb, reaching the mid-80s once more come Thursday, and the only chance for rain appearing to be next weekend.

/44/

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1201 AM CDT SAT APR 18 2026

VFR conditions and light winds will persist through the night. Winds will begin to increase out of the southwest during the afternoon hours. Have introduced -RA around 00Z for BHM/EET/TCL as a cold front moves into the region. MVFR cigs are likely to accompany this activity. -RA makes it to AUO/MGM towards the end of this TAF window. Winds shift around to the north-northwest in the wake of the front.

95/Castillo

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1208 PM CDT FRI APR 17 2026

Fire weather conditions will remain elevated into today, with fuels remaining critically dry. Rain chances will increase this evening into Sunday, but it won't be the drought busting rain that we desperately need. Winds will be strong over the weekend as well, as a cold front moves through the region, before decreasing into Monday and Tuesday. From here, low MinRH values are expected for much of the week, ranging in the low to mid-20%'s

CLIMATE

Issued at 1208 PM CDT FRI APR 17 2026

Record High Temperatures:

April 18: KBHM: 91/2006 KEET: 90/2006 KANB: 90/1955 KMGM: 91/2006

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Gadsden 86 45 69 40 / 10 80 10 0 Anniston 86 48 69 41 / 0 80 10 0 Birmingham 86 48 69 46 / 10 80 10 0 Tuscaloosa 86 48 71 43 / 20 80 10 0 Calera 86 48 72 43 / 0 80 10 0 Auburn 84 53 69 47 / 0 40 20 0 Montgomery 86 51 72 45 / 0 50 20 0 Troy 85 51 70 45 / 0 30 20 0

BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.