textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1035 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

- Mainly low to medium chances for showers and thunderstorms today and Thursday, with better chances (up to 60-80%) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.

- A low chance of strong to severe storms exists area-wide on Friday. Gusty to damaging winds are the main threat, along with heavy downpours and frequent lightning.

- Hot and humid conditions persist with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s each afternoon with heat index values around 100 through Saturday.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 126 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

Convection has finally started popping across the TN Valley with greater coverage currently in NW AL. Showers and thunderstorms will continue into this evening and capable of producing gusty winds, heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. Once storms dissipate later this evening, winds will slack to become light and variable. With all the moisture in place, this will allow for patchy fog development. Fog coverage could increase if cloud cover decreases further than forecasted. Lows will reach the upper 60s to lower 70s.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday through Saturday) Issued at 1035 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

On Thursday, that open wave will weaken and continue to lift northeastward but the stationary boundary that scooted southward may stall over the TN Valley. This will bring low to medium chances (20-60%) of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. These storms can create gusty winds, heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. However, would not rule out a downburst with the PWATS ~1.6", DCAPE ~1300 J/Kg, ML CAPE 1600-1900 J/kg and steep low level lapse rates. Highs will be in the upper 80s to low 90s with heat index values around 100 degrees.

SPC has placed us in a Marginal outlook (risk level 1/5) on Friday. A weak trough will be along the eastern seaboard with a few weak disturbances sliding through ahead of a shortwave up in the Midwest. Friday afternoon and evening forecast soundings look even better for an opportunity to see downbursts. Instability will increase towards 3,000 J/kg, PWATS ~1.8, ThetaE difference ~30C and pretty steep low level lapse rates. Local strong to damaging winds, heavy rainfall and frequent lightning are the primary hazards. Looking into Saturday, forecast soundings suggest another potential afternoon and evening with storms that could produce downbursts. The storms may be the main story, however do not forget about the heat. Heat index values Friday and Saturday will be in the upper 90s to lower 100s.

Stay weather aware Thursday through Saturday and ensure you stay safe indoors, outdoors, and on the go.

LONG TERM

(Friday night through Tuesday) Issued at 1050 PM CDT Tue Jul 7 2026

The long term period will be characterized by mostly zonal flow aloft as we remain in a moist tropical airmass that will keep medium chances for showers and thunderstorms in the forecast daily. The good news is that temperatures will be near or just below seasonal norms so extreme heat does not look to be much of a threat at this point. With that said, humidity will remain high and will bring afternoon heat indices near or just above the 100 degree mark which will pose a risk for heat related illness for those especially sensitive to the heat or those without proper cooling or hydration.

Although the risk for organized severe weather appears low at this time, afternoon CAPE values near or above 2000 J/kg with DCAPE values over 1000 J/kg will support the risk for damaging microbursts especially over the weekend. PWAT values between 1.8-2" may also result in heavy downpours that may lead to localized flooding. As mentioned in the previous long term discussion, an upper trough is progged to dig south over the Atlantic Coast on Monday and will bring a cold front through the area. This should bring at least a temporary relief from the humidity if forecast trends continue.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 657 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

VFR conditions have returned to the terminals after afternoon thunderstorms affected the region. Clear to mostly clear skies are forecast overnight and patchy dense fog may affect the TAF sites. Confidence in this was too low to include in the TAFs at this time but trends will be monitored this evening and fog may be added for the 06z update. Additional thunderstorms are forecast tomorrow, with higher confidence in coverage near the HSV terminal.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...None. TN...None.