textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1027 AM CDT Wed Oct 14 2026

- Above normal temperatures are forecast through Thursday, with more Fall-like weather expected by the weekend.

- Minor to Moderate (Level 2/4) heat impacts may be observed today and Thursday across portions of the Tennessee Valley.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 331 PM CDT Wed Oct 14 2026

We have hit record breaking temperatures this afternoon as both HSV and MSL currently sit at 91 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Luckily humidity is not high enough to result in heat indices higher than the mid 90s mitigating a larger concern for heat related illness. No significant changes were needed from the previous forecast.

Previous discussion: It's going to be hot today across our area with high temperatures climbing into the high 80s to the low 90s by this afternoon and clear skies. There is an upper level ridge and a surface high that are both centered over our area. This ridge will migrate east as the day progresses. The ridge and surface high support broad scale subsidence leading to clear skies and anomalously high temperatures for this time of year. Combined with dewpoint values in the mid to upper 60s, it will be a very hot and muggy day. Be sure to take appropriate heat precautions if you are going to spend time outside, don't let the time of year put you off guard.

Overnight lows will fall to the low to mid 60s with a low chance for patchy fog over the valley areas of northeast and north central AL.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday through Friday) Issued at 1027 AM CDT Wed Oct 14 2026

The persistent upper ridge will continue to keep abnormally warm temperatures in place for mid-October, potentially breaking the record daily highs once again at HSV (88 set in 1947) and MSL (91 set in 2015) on Thursday. Thankfully, drier continental air will keep heat indices capped in the upper 80s to lower 90s which will mitigate a larger threat for heat related illness. Aside from the heat, it will be a beautiful day with abundant sunshine and light southerly winds.

If you are tired of the heat, there is relief on the way! An upper trough will dig across the Great Lakes and into the mid MS River Valley on Friday pushing a cold front through the area during the morning/early afternoon. Highs will make it into the upper 70s to lower 80s before temperatures begin to plummet behind the front. We will remain dry during this frontal passage with the main impact being breezy gradient winds gusting near 30mph at times Friday afternoon and evening.

LONG TERM

(Friday night through Tuesday) Issued at 938 PM CDT Tue Oct 13 2026

A fast-moving upper trough will swing through the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys on Friday and pivot into the Southern Appalachians Friday night into early Saturday. Very breezy conditions will accompany this feature, with a strong push of cool, dry air moving into the region in its wake. This can be seen with temperatures as they will drop off significantly Friday night, eventually settling into the mid to upper 40s in most locations by early Saturday morning. Breezy post frontal winds out of the NNE will reinforce this air mass as highs will be very notably lower on Saturday and only peak in the mid to upper 60s, and lows again dropping to the 40s. Winds will weaken by Sunday and veer to a more southerly direction as high pressure builds in. This will do little to modify the air mass initially as highs on Sunday will only peak in the mid/upper 60s to lower 70s. Ridging really begins to take shape on Monday and Tuesday of next week, resulting in a gradual warming trend, thanks to ample sunshine and southerly flow. Daytime highs in the mid to upper 70s will be common, with lows in the low to mid 50s.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1139 AM CDT Wed Oct 14 2026

VFR conditions are forecast to persist through the TAF period with few mid level clouds and light/var winds.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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