textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 917 PM CST Thu Nov 12 2026

- Freeze Watch issued for all of northern AL Saturday morning for temperatures below freezing.

- Hard/killing freeze conditions expected this weekend with low temperatures in the upper 20s.

- Dry weather is forecast into the middle of next week for the Tennessee Valley.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of tonight and Friday) Issued at 917 PM CST Thu Nov 12 2026

Earlier after an at times breezy and seasonably mild Thursday with highs in the mid 60s, a cool down has commenced as a reinforcing cold front moves in a NNW-SSE manner across the Tennessee Valley. Surface high pressure from the Arctic region of northern Canada was situated over the Manitoba/Ontario Provinces. It should slowly build southward across the Upper Mississippi Valley as we go into the weekend. An upper level troughing setup over the eastern CONUS should remain in place into early next week. A few light showers that formed in the afternoon over Middle Tennessee, were fading as they move SSE across parts of Northern Alabama.

The infrared difference and nighttime microphysics satellite view indicated clouds over the Valley were on a dissipating trend. Another area of clouds was nearing the Missouri Bootheel, if model trends hold should reach this area late tonight into Fri morning. Temperature trends in comparing the NBM vs actual readings show the blends are a bit too cool. But once it clears, temperatures will fall into the low/mid 30s, not quite as cold as the NBM suggests. An at time brisk wind of 5-15 mph should keep enough mixing in place to minimize frosting. An "insulating" effect of the above mentioned clouds returning will hamper the return longwave radiation to space and help temper the chill.

Despite a cloud cover or a lack of it, as low/mid altitude clouds move over and out of the region, cold air from the north should make its presence felt Friday the 13th. Highs tomorrow will struggle into the upper 40s north to lower 50s south. At times brisk NW winds of 5-15 mph, with some gusts above 20 mph are expected from the mid morning through much of the afternoon, making it feel 5-10 degrees cooler.

SHORT TERM

(Friday night through Sunday) Issued at 917 PM CST Thu Nov 12 2026

Modified air from the Arctic will continue filtering in Fri night, as the surface high builds across the upper Mississippi Valley. Whether lower clouds move in or not, will not make a big difference regarding cold conditions. GFS/ECMWF MOS has lows in the lower 30s, with the NBM even colder with lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Will stay with both, thus widespread freezing temperatures Fri night into Sat morning. Only locations close to large bodies of water could be spared subfreezing conditions. Am not confident if this will be a "one and done" hard freeze, with temperatures of 28F or colder in most spots.

The chill will continue Sat. With more sun than clouds, highs will only rise into the lower 50s. Winds however should be a bit lighter from the north at 5-10 mph. Similarly chilly, if not colder Sat night with lows from the mid 20s to lower 30s. Under mostly sunny skies, it should be a tad warmer Sun with highs into the mid/upper 50s.

LONG TERM

(Sunday night through Thursday) Issued at 917 PM CST Thu Nov 12 2026

Upper troughing that was holding strong over the eastern third of the CONUS should begin moving off the East Coast, as upper ridging slowly builds in from the west. This will help bring a gradual warming trend far as temperatures for the new week. Expect another chilly Sun night with lows from the upper 20s to mid 30s, and highs Mon in the mid/upper 50s. A slow warming trend can be expected as we go further into next week. Lows will range in the 30s, with highs in the lower 60s Tue, and in the mid/upper 60s on Wed/Thu respectively. At this time, dry conditions should prevail into next Thu.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1134 PM CST Thu Nov 12 2026

VFR conditions should prevail across the greater TN Valley into Fri evening. Surface high pressure over south/central Canada will slowly build southward, maintaining a NW flow of 5-10kt overnight. Winds after daybreak Fri should increase to 10-15kt from the NW with some gusts over 20kt into the late afternoon. Winds should become light from the NW after dusk.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Freeze Watch from late Friday night through Saturday morning for ALZ001>010-016.

TN...None.