textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 338 AM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

- An unsettled pattern arrives on Friday, with shower and storm chances persisting through the beginning of next week.

- We are monitoring for the potential of severe weather this weekend and into early next week; however, no severe weather is currently forecast.

NEAR TERM

(Today) Issued at 338 AM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

Upper ridging and surface high pressure will persist over the Southeast today. However, an upper shortwave looks to enter the region later tonight. Although this feature isn't expected to bring substantial moisture, clouds will likely increase through the late afternoon and this evening. Otherwise, expecting another dry day, with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Forecast dew points were adjusted down a bit based on Hi-Res guidance. Therefore, the updated forecast calls for minimum relative humidity values this afternoon to drop into the mid 20 to around 30 percent range. While winds will be light, fuels remain dry. Ultimately, Red Flag Warning criteria are not met; however, expect increased fire danger today. We urge everyone to be cautious of any burning!

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Thursday) Issued at 859 PM CDT Mon Apr 20 2026

Cloud cover will remain for much of the night on Tuesday in association with a weak low pressure system moving across the Gulf Coast. By Wednesday, ridging aloft will nudge the shortwave prompting the low pressure system south towards the FL Peninsula. This will clear skies as ridging builds through the central CONUS behind this feature. At the surface, we will find ourself sandwiched between high pressure to our east and a developing low pressure system off the Rocky Mountains. Along and ahead of the approaching low pressure system and associated fronts (addressed in the long term) strong SSW flow will develop allowing for additional WAA. Highs will break into the 80s on Wednesday and Thursday with clear skies still prevailing thanks to the high pressure to our east. The tightening pressure gradient on Thursday will support some gusty winds through the afternoon. With a wet and stormy pattern ahead, Thursday will be the nicest day through the remainder of the forecast.

LONG TERM

(Thursday night through Monday) Issued at 859 PM CDT Mon Apr 20 2026

An active period of weather is forecast during the long term period bringing the potential for some much needed rainfall to the Tennessee Valley. Thursday night into Friday, the upper level ridge breaks down leaving a more zonal flow pattern heading into the weekend. As a sfc low across the Dakotas slowly moves off to the northeast, an attendant cold front draped across the Upper Midwest down south into the Mississippi River Valley swings east Friday. This will bring a medium/high chance (50-70%) of showers and storms to the local forecast area starting Friday night and continuing into Saturday. A few shortwaves riding along the upper level jet from Texas towards the Tennessee Valley will ripple through the area this weekend keeping medium chances (40-60%) of showers and storms through Sunday. Confidence in timing remains quite low with these weekend systems, but the main threat is locally heavy rainfall. Something that is much needed given the abnormally dry Spring. There is at least low probabilities of some strong storms, mainly on Saturday as that is when the good shear overlaps with modest instability.

As we head into Monday a more pronounced upper level trough digs down across the Desert Southwest. Sfc cyclogenesis is forecast to develop across OK/TX and then the low will eject northeastward into the Plains. The cold front to its south is forecast to swing through Monday bringing medium chances (40-60%) of showers and thunderstorms. Once again there are signs of strong to maybe severe storms coinciding with this system given the ensemble means have 40-50 knots of deep layer shear combined with 500-750 J/kg of CAPE. A lot can change between now and the upcoming weekend, but trends continue to show an active pattern.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1200 AM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

VFR conditions along with light winds will prevail through the TAF period. Clouds will gradually increase through the day as well.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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