textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1204 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

- Hurricane Isaias will make landfall on the Gulf Coast late tonight and bring high chances for impactful gusty winds up to 50-60 mph, a medium chance for flash flooding, and a low chance of tornadoes late tonight through through Saturday night.

- A High Wind Warning is in effect for portions of north-central and northeast AL from 1 AM Saturday to 7 AM Sunday. A Wind Advisory is in effect for remaining counties from 1 AM Saturday to 7 AM Sunday.

- A Flood Watch remains in effect from 1 AM Saturday to 7 AM Sunday.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Today) Issued at 1204 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

Not much in the way of rain is expected today; however, a tightening pressure gradient will result in increasing winds (20-30 mph gusts) this afternoon and especially by this evening. Then, our focus is on Isaias as it approaches and moves over northern Alabama this weekend. Bottom line up front - it's going to be a windy and rainy weekend for the Tennessee Valley, so make sure you're weather aware and prepared!

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Sunday) Issued at 1204 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

Gusty winds will be a big concern for our area as the pressure gradient tightens as what is left of Isaias moves over NW AL and into TN Saturday through Saturday night. While the majority of the higher winds are expected on Saturday/Saturday night, the onset of increasing winds is now anticipated late tonight due to the faster trajectory of the system. We recently upgraded our High Wind Watch to a High Wind Warning for Cullman, Morgan, Marshall, Madison, Jackson, and DeKalb counties in AL with a Wind Advisory for our remaining counties west of these areas. Expect wind gusts up to 50 mph in the Advisory area and wind gusts up to 60 mph (with isolated higher gusts) in the High Wind Warning area. These products also now begin sooner (1 AM Saturday) due to the faster progression of the system and will continue through 7 AM Sunday morning. Make sure to secure loose items (such as holiday decorations) and take caution if traveling tomorrow (especially for high-profile vehicles)!

As for rainfall, Hi-Res guidance is suggesting that many of the heavier bands and convection from Isaias will set up to our east (over Georgia), with perhaps not as much rainfall for north- central and northeast Alabama. This will definitely be something we will be watching, especially with this continuously evolving system. However, at this point, we urge folks to be prepared for 1-3 inches of rain from tonight through Sunday, with the potential for isolated amounts of 4-6 inches (or more). The Flood Watch therefore remains in effect from 1AM tonight through 7 AM Sunday morning. This heavy rain may lead to the flooding of low-lying areas, rivers, creeks, and streams, as well as roadways. Turn around, don't down if you encounter flooded roads!

Overall, we urge the Tennessee Valley to stay up to date with the weather this weekend and have multiple ways of receiving warning information! Stay safe!

LONG TERM

(Sunday night through Thursday) Issued at 1000 PM CDT Thu Oct 8 2026

High pressure will build in for much of the upcoming week -- a stark change from what we'll be experiencing this weekend. As a result, beautiful autumn weather will again be on tap across the area through much of the upcoming week. With ample sunshine and dry conditions highs will return to the 80s and overnight lows drop into the 50s.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1242 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

VFR conditions will persist through the remainder of this afternoon and into this evening for both TAF sites. However, expect increasing winds through this evening and especially by Saturday morning. Additionally, expect lower CIGs and VIS to MVFR (perhaps instances of IFR) after midnight tonight with increased probability of showers (and potential for embedded storms by early Saturday morning). These conditions will then persist through much of the day on Saturday as what remains of Isaias traverses the Tennessee Valley. The other concerns will be elevated winds and LLWS. Sustained east/northeast winds mainly between 10-20 knots with gusts up to 25-35 knots are anticipated from around midnight tonight through at least early Saturday afternoon. Lastly, LLWS from the east/northeast between 40-60 knots is also forecast to begin around 7Z tonight for both terminals and persist through around 16Z.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Flood Watch from late tonight through Sunday morning for ALZ001>010-016.

Wind Advisory from 1 AM Saturday to 7 AM CDT Sunday for ALZ001>005.

High Wind Warning from 1 AM Saturday to 7 AM CDT Sunday for ALZ006>010-016.

TN...Flood Watch from late tonight through Sunday morning for TNZ076- 096-097.

Wind Advisory from 1 AM Saturday to 7 AM CDT Sunday for TNZ076- 096-097.