textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1033 AM CST Wed Jan 7 2026

- Above average temperatures will remain in the forecast through the end of the week.

- Gusty winds will arrive on Thursday ahead of an approaching front with gusts of 20-25 MPH forecast.

- High rain chances will be present Friday through Saturday with a risk for flash flooding and a low risk for some severe weather.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Today and Tonight) Issued at 1033 AM CST Wed Jan 7 2026

Dense fog this morning has been slow to erode today with a few sites as of 10am still showing visibilities around 1/4 mile. As a result the Dense Fog Advisory was extended until 11am. Based on current improvement trends any remaining fog should mix out by lunchtime. While there is some pockets of low stratus moving through this morning, by this afternoon breaks in the cloud cover will allow for some sunshine. Overall a mild day for early January with afternoon highs in the mid to upper 60s. This is 10-15 degrees above climatological normals for this time of year.

By tonight, we remain mild with overnight lows only dropping into the lower 50s. Some mid to high levels clouds are forecast overnight which may limit the potential for fog. However, any breaks in the cloud cover combined with light winds will be favorable for dense fog. Therefore, with the morning update have added a low chance for fog in our typical fog prone areas in the sheltered valleys and along area bodies of water. Biggest impact will be a reduction in visibility.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday through Saturday) Issued at 1033 AM CST Wed Jan 7 2026

An active weather pattern sets up as we head into the short term forecast period. A deepening upper level trough digs in across the western US before ejecting northeastward across the Southern Plains and into the TN/MS river valleys by Friday. Ahead of this system, warm and moist air will advect in from the south and west. Afternoon highs on Thursday will once again rise into the mid to upper 60s with a few locations reaching the lower 70s.

Bottom line up front: Friday will bring an active weather setup across the Tennessee Valley. Both severe weather and hydro concerns appear likely combined with gusty gradient winds throughout the day.

Looking at the details, a sfc low over the Great Lakes will move north and east with a cold front located to it south and west. A secondary low will develop further to the south (near OK/AR) with a warm front positioned to it east. In response to this low, the pressure gradient will tighten across the local area allowing for winds to gust between 20-25 mph at times throughout the day on Friday. As the warm front lifts north this will bring the first round of showers and storms to the forecast area Friday morning. By the afternoon and evening hours, high chances (90-100%) for showers and storms are likely with the greatest potential for flooding and severe weather being during this timeframe. Precip will continue until Saturday morning with the passage of the cold front.

Our most confident impact for this system is for the prolonged heavy rainfall event leading to flash flooding concerns. LREF guidance shows areawide mean between 2.5-3 inches with the 90th percentile 3.5-4.5 inches. The high end event will most certainly result in localized flooding as well as rises along area rivers. Remember, if you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around, don't drown!

The severe weather potential is a bit more tricky of a forecast. With several rounds of rainfall expected, this could reduce the severe risk for our area. That being said SPC did include areas along and west of I-65 in a slight risk (level 2 out of 5). Shear parameters are sufficient for severe storms including a low end potential of tornadoes, however, there is a large amount of uncertainty in the amount of instability. This will be something to watch over the next 24-36 hours.

LONG TERM

(Saturday night through Tuesday) Issued at 825 PM CST Tue Jan 6 2026

The aformentioned front looks to push through Saturday during the day with dry conditions arriving from the NW through Saturday evening. Through the long term, high pressure will build in the southern Plains placing us in a NW flow regime through mid week. This will work to usher in cooler and drier air which will be felt immediately on Sunday morning with lows in the mid 30s. Without any significant airmass change, the cooler temps will remain through the long term with highs in the 40s to 50s and lows in the 20s to 30s.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1048 AM CST Wed Jan 7 2026

At the start of the TAF period, low level stratus resulting in MVFR ceilings. These will gradually improve back to VFR later this afternoon. Overnight, there is a low potential for fog, but given low confidence at this time have not included any visibility reductions in this forecast. MVFR ceilings return tomorrow morning with wind gusts out of the southeast increasing to 15-20 knots.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM CST this morning for ALZ001>010- 016.

TN...Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM CST this morning for TNZ076-096- 097.