textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1010 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

- A few flurries may fall over portions of southern middle Tennessee late this evening into late tonight, but no impacts are anticipated.

- Monitoring Friday night/early Saturday morning for a low chance of a rain/snow mix for a brief window. Little to no accumulations are forecast at this time.

- Periodic rounds of much colder air are expected to continue through the weekend into early next week.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Tonight and Thursday) Issued at 1010 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

A line of light showers rolled through the region earlier this evening, and some spots even reported instances of sleet/ice pellets! Much of the precipitation has ended as of this writing since the cold front has passed to our southeast; however, some light returns can be seen on radar over portions of Tennessee. Temperatures have begin to drop with the passage of the cold front, with low 30s already in southern middle Tennessee. Lows are still on track to further plummet into the lower 20s to upper teens (over NE AL and southern middle TN). Thus, with cold air quickly pushing into the Valley, we can't rule out a few snowflakes over southern middle Tennessee late this evening into the overnight period. No accumulations or impacts are expected with any flurries (should they occur). Even so, it will be cold! Breezy conditions along with the cold is expected to result in wind chills between 10-15 degrees along and west of I-65 and generally between 8-13 degrees east of I-65. Make sure to prepare for this influx of cold weather by protecting people, pets, pipes, and plants!

For Thursday, expect a dry but breezy day. Hi-Res guidance indicates dew points dropping into the single digits to around 10 degrees by the afternoon. In addition, a tight pressure gradient will result in sustained northwest winds around 10-15 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Cold high temperatures (30s) due to cold air advection from the northwest and these breezy conditions will make it feel colder still. Therefore, make sure to bundle up Thursday!

SHORT TERM

(Thursday Night through Saturday Night) Issued at 1010 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Winds are expected to diminish and shift to be southerly Thursday evening as surface high pressure shifts east and another cold front advances towards the Tennessee Valley. The pressure gradient will tighten once again and bring breezy conditions on Friday as well. One of the main concerns for the short term will be precipitation chances Friday evening and overnight. The latest blended guidance has increased chances (medium; 30-50%) compared with previous forecasts. However, at this time, the front looks to move through the Valley quickly and forecast precipitation is less than a quarter of an inch. However, we'll be watching how fast the front progresses through, since temperatures are expected to drop once again behind it and some wintry precipitation may occur Friday night in some locations.

As of right now, little to no accumulation is forecast for most areas. The exception to this is a few spots in southern middle Tennessee like Sewanee that might see light accumulations. Again, this will depend on how fast the front moves through and if precipitation is still ongoing as temperatures drop into the low 30s early Saturday morning. At this point, little to no impacts from any light accumulations or black ice on the roads are anticipated, since high temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 40s to lower 50s on Friday and into the 40s on Saturday. Although lows Saturday will be quite cold (mid teens to lower 20s), westerly winds hovering around 10 mph and gusts to 15-20 mph on Saturday will likely dry out any lingering water from precipitation on roads. The main concern then will be the bitter cold Saturday night. Winter isn't over and it's important to be prepared and remember winter safety. Make sure to dress appropriately for the cold and if you plan to use space heaters to keep warm, plug them into a wall outlet, keep a clear perimeter around it (3 feet), and never keep them on while sleeping.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 1010 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

On Sunday we will be behind the front that went through on Saturday and the breezy northwesterly winds with gusts 15-20kts will keep conditions cold. Models continue to lower daytime highs, now in the lower 30s, signaling just how strong the CAA behind the frontal passage will be. Winds will slack Sunday evening, allowing for good radiational cooling with mostly clear skies above. This will allow for lows to fall into the teens.

Next week we will be stuck in the base of a broad trough that will extend to cover much of the CONUS. A sfc low up in the Lower Great Lakes will pull a weak cold front into the region on Monday. Ahead of the front we will be able to "warm up" into the lower 40s, which is still several degrees below normal. No precip is expected with the front Monday afternoon, however it will provide a reinforcing bout of cold air as lows will be in the teens once again and highs on Tuesday will not make it out of the 30s. The trough will start to slide eastward on Wednesday and that's when we will see an increase in cloud cover and a low chance (20-30%) of showers returning Wednesday night.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 505 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Light rain and clouds are beginning to clear from northwest to southeast early this evening. MVFR CIGs will therefore only be a concern for the next couple of hours (MSL lifting before HSV). Clouds will then continue to decrease through the evening, with clear skies at MSL by early Thursday morning and at HSV by late morning. The other concern will be persistent, breezy northwesterly winds. Sustained northwest winds generally between 10-15 knots are therefore anticipated tonight, with gusts to between 20-25 knots (locally higher in the higher terrain of NE AL). Winds are then forecast to decrease a little bit on Thursday, but hover around 10 knots with gusts to 10-18 knots.

CLIMATE

Issued at 505 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

The Climate Prediction Center has included all of southern middle Tennessee and north Alabama in a Moderate Risk for Much Above Normal Precipitation for January 23rd and 24th. Therefore, there is a 40-60% chance for precipitation to exceed 1.4-1.8 inches 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.