textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 819 AM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

- Daily chances of thunderstorms are expected through the period. The primary hazards will be gusty winds, intense downpours and lightning but isolated severe downbursts and hail can be expected.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 135 PM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

Clusters of thunderstorms with intense downpours (3-5 in/hr rates) rapidly developed before Noon, with the most impactful cluster in the Shoals. This area is shifting slowly eastward as outflow spreads into unstable air. Other terrain based storms with less coverage have developed in our eastern counties. Other thunderstorms have developed along and ahead of the upper trough axis we mentioned in the morning discussion in west TN into northern MS. The rain-cooled air in northwest AL may help to tame that activity as it reaches northwest AL early this evening. The highest wind gust observed in the ASOS/AWOS network has been 30kt at K9A4 (Courtland). We still believe the threat for severe winds is low given the weak lapse rates, with the main concern being intense downpours in a short time leading to brief flooding issues. Thunderstorms should tend to dissipate quickly by or shortly after sunset.

SHORT TERM

(Sunday through Monday) Issued at 819 AM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

It's a "rinse and repeat" forecast Sunday and Monday as well. The trough axis will shift a bit further southeast into the TN valley, eventually moving south of the TN River on Monday. Low to medium (30-70%) PoP will shift southeast with this feature. By Monday, the highest PoP will be in our southeast counties. Similar hazards are expected both days/evenings. The temperature curve will remain similar too with highs in the upper 80s to around 90 and lows in the lower 70s.

LONG TERM

(Monday night through Friday) Issued at 1018 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026

A broad area of high pressure across the Southern CONUS will gradually retrograde to the west by late the remainder of next week. The combination of the deep, tropical moisture in place (PWATs over 2") and subtle shortwaves rounding the eastern edge of the ridge mid to late week will create medium chance (40-60%) for afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms each afternoon/evening. As has been the case for much of the month of August, diurnal heating will warm temperatures into the upper 80s to lower 90s, with a moderately unstable environment developing each afternoon. Thus, we will be primed for pulse convection each day (some of which could be strong to marginally severe) capable of locally heavy downpours and gusty winds,

In addition, highs peaking in the upper 80s to lower 90s and dewpoints in the 70s will create peak heat index values between 98 to 105 degrees each afternoon. NWS Heat Risk highlights a moderate (Level 2/4) threat level in most locations Tuesday through Friday, with a few of the metro areas (MSL, DCU, HSV) in the Major (Level 3/4) category.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1055 AM CDT Sat Aug 8 2026

There is a low to medium chance of +TSRA through at least 23Z. Confidence in exact timing for either KMSL or KHSV is too low to include a prevailing group, so expect amendments as needed as TS activity develops today. Otherwise, expect VFR conditions for most of the period. Patchy BR/FG will develop late tonight as well, mainly in areas that receive rainfall.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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