textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1045 AM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

- Dangerous heat will return early next week and will tend to intensify through the week with heat indices approaching or exceeding 100 degrees.

- A few thunderstorms are possible each day mainly from Sunday afterward, and especially in higher terrain areas during the afternoons.

NEAR TERM

(Remainder of This Afternoon and Tonight) Issued at 230 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

Satellite imagery early this afternoon shows mostly low-topped cu across the area, beneath a strong capping inversion ~8-9 kft. No shower activity was noted in the HUN CWFA as of 230 PM, although a lone shower had developed along the Cumberland escarpment in Hamilton County, TN. At this point, chances for any showers/storms look rather small (still less than 20% mainly for plateau areas). A modified continental airmass has moved into the area, and dew points as expected have fallen largely into the mid/upr 60s.

For tonight, conditions will be ideal for radiational cooling again, with fog development expected mainly in the eastern valleys. Patchy dense fog could occur mainly in the usual locations such as the Paint Rock Valley and in portions of the Jackson County valley along the Hwy 72 corridor.

SHORT TERM

(Saturday through Monday) Issued at 1045 AM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

Saturday will feel like a near carbon-copy of today, with low chances for any showers/storms (generally less than 10%) mainly atop the plateau areas. Temperatures will start an upward trend from today however, with most locations expected to reach the low 90s, although dew points will tend to remain lower in the west.

On Sunday and Monday, broad sub-tropical ridge that has been relegated mainly to areas of the SW CONUS will expand eastward into the OH/TN Valley regions. The result will be an increase in heat/humidity as low-lvl flow also advects a reservoir of higher moisture back into the area. Heat indices will reach near 100 degrees in many locations on Sunday, but are expected to climb a but further into the 100-105 range on Monday. Heat Risk and WBGT levels will likewise climb although it's not certain that Heat Advisory criteria will be reached during this period (but will become more likely by Wednesday). Otherwise, the only caveat to the forecast will be a westward tracking cut-off low/shortwave along the base of the evolving ridge. While the core of this feature appears likely to track to our south, and most impacts along with it, we will be on its northern periphery. Due to this and for enhanced heat and low- level moisture, POPs are a little higher on Sunday as this feature tracks across the area, but mainly relegated to southern/eastern portions of the forecast area. Any showers/storms would tend to be small and relatively short-lived in the weakly sheared environment (less than 20kts through the whole column), but could marginally support a strong wind gust.

LONG TERM

(Sunday night through Thursday) Issued at 1047 PM CDT Thu Aug 27 2026

The long term period will be dominated by an upper level ridge forecast to reside over the southeast U.S., bringing sfc high pressure and subsequent dry/warm conditions to the Tennessee Valley. A warming trend will set up early next week with highs reaching comfortably into the 90s and heat indices in the 100-105 degree range. There is a low chance a Heat Advisory will need to be issued by mid next week for heat indices over 105 degrees in portions of northern Alabama. Otherwise, PoPs remain very low each day as mostly dry weather is forecast. Be sure to keep up to date with the latest forecast and practice heat safety next week such as seeking shade when outdoors and remaining hydrated.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1225 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

VFR conditions expected for the 24-hour TAF period. The only caveat to the forecast is the development of patchy fog mainly between 10-13Z. Fog would be most prone to occur at KMSL, but confidence is too low to mention in TAFs at this time.

CLIMATE

Issued at 230 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

Moderate Risk for Much Above Normal Temperatures:

The Climate Prediction Center has included northern Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee in a Moderate Risk for Much Above Normal Temperatures for September 5th and 6th. There is a 40-60% chance for temperatures above 95 degrees F and heat index values exceeding 105 degrees F during this period.

More information on the CPC U.S. Hazards Outlook can be found at: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/threats.php

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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