textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1026 AM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

- Dry weather and a warming trend will begin today and continue through this weekend, with highs potentially reaching near record values on Sunday.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Today and Tonight) Issued at 1026 AM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Some light returns can be seen moving into northwest Alabama on radar at present. With dew points in the mid 20s, it's unlikely that any precipitation is making it to the ground. Although, there have been reports of light precipitation farther to our north and northwest. Overall, there is a low chance of perhaps a few sprinkles across the area today, but most areas should remain dry. The high pressure system responsible for bringing abnormally cool weather today (around 23-24 degrees below normal for high temperatures) continues to move eastward and will eventually move off the coast of the United States later this afternoon. Some of the cloud cover should begin moving out of the area by this time as well and, with the influence of some warm air advection from the west, temperatures will trend warmer. Highs are forecast to peak in the mid 50s to lower 60s across the TN Valley later this afternoon. A relatively tranquil night is then anticipated, with lows dipping into the mid 30s to lower 40s. We will be monitoring the potential for frost formation, especially over NE AL (Jackson and DeKalb counties), in case a short-fused Frost Advisory becomes necessary. However, at this time, thinking that it may still be a bit too dry for widespread frost over these locations.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday through Friday Night) Issued at 1026 AM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Warm air advection is anticipated to continue from the west on Thursday, helping with the continued warming trend across the region. This will result in temperature values gradually returning closer to normal for this time of year. Highs should reach the upper 60s to lower 70s across the area on Thursday, which is actually 2-5 degrees warmer than average. There is also increasing confidence that, despite the approaching weak upper wave and frontal system anticipated to move across the TN Valley on Thursday, that the area should see very little, if any, rain due to the weak forcing and drier conditions. Otherwise, temperatures should be fairly mild, in the mid to upper 40s, across the TN Valley Thursday night. Dew points then begin to increase Thursday night, which may result in low chances of patchy fog development late Thursday night into early Friday morning. However, widespread dense fog is not anticipated at this time. No rain is currently forecast Friday and Friday night, but the warming trend will persist. Highs are expected to reach the mid to upper 70s, which are around 10 degrees warmer than the seasonal norm. Although, it will be a little bit more humid, with dew points increasing into the 50s. This may help our "feels like" temperatures be a touch warmer, although still in the mid to upper 70s.

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Tuesday) Issued at 816 PM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

Upper level ridging and subsequent sfc high pressure continue to influence the region through the weekend into early next week. In turn, dry conditions are forecast to continue along with above- normal temperatures. High temperatures this weekend will likely be in the upper 70s to low 80s (potentially reaching the mid 80s in some spots Sunday) under sunny skies. These temperatures are around 15 degrees above normal for this time of year, however, no record breaking temperatures are expected. The high temperature records for March 22nd are 88 degrees at HSV and 89 degrees at MSL, both set in 1907. A cold front will likely form and shift southward through the area Sunday night into Monday morning, which will allow relatively cooler temperatures early next week with highs in the 60s-70s.

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 617 AM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

VFR conditions are forecast across the area for the TAF. A surge of mid level and upper level moisture will create broken to at times overcast condition into the evening, with cloud bases remaining well above MVFR minimums (3000' AGL). Light SE winds early will become SW 5-10kt in the late morning and early afternoon. Winds should become light from the SE in the evening.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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