textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1113 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2026

- A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for all of north Alabama from Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM.

- Colder conditions are expected tonight with low temperatures falling into the mid/upper 30s, with brisk northerly winds of 10-20 mph with stronger gusts.

- Very dry conditions are expected on Saturday, with minimal afternoon relative humidity values of 20-25 percent.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Today and Tonight) Issued at 1113 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2026

As of the late morning, rather pleasant conditions prevailed outdoors over and around the greater Tennessee Valley, 11 AM temperatures rising through the 70s. Winds were from the SW-W at 10-20 mph with a few higher gusts. Changes to this mild to warm pattern will be coming this afternoon with the passage of a cold front. That boundary was located approximately from metro Nashville, to south of Memphis and Little Rock. The front should be near far NW Alabama around noon, and should be south of the forecast area by the late afternoon. Winds will shift to a northerly direction 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

Along with the front, lower to medium chances for light showers will continue. But as model trends have been showing the last day or so, shower coverage and intensity do diminish rather quickly as we go into the late afternoon and early evening, thus rainfall amounts if they occur will be light.

This cold front will live up to it's title, cold! Temperatures this evening will become much cooler, with lows by daybreak Saturday into the mid/upper 30s. No frost is expected in the lower end of those temperatures, as winds will remain elevated into the 10-20 mph range. This will produce wind chill values into the mid/upper 20s, especially the more wind exposed terrain.

SHORT TERM

(Saturday through Sunday night) Issued at 1113 AM CDT Fri Mar 27 2026

In the wake of the cold front passage today, notably cooler conditions are expected as chilly Canadian air filters in from the north. Highs to close out the week will only warm into the lower 60s. Winds will be from the north 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph, especially in the morning, then should gradually diminish in the afternoon. The air will also be very dry despite the colder temperatures with low/mid 20s dewpoints. These cold dewpoints will result in late morning and afternoon relative humidity values into the low/mid 20s percent. These values will be dry enough, along with elevated winds to create dangerous outdoor fire growth and spread potential, thus a Red Flag Warning will be in effect for the day Saturday. Outdoor burns tomorrow are strongly discouraged given the very low relative humidities and strong winds.

It should not be a cold Saturday night, with lows into the lower 40s. This Palm Sunday should feature sunny skies and milder conditions with highs rising into the lower 70s, and lows that night in the low/mid 50s.

LONG TERM

(Monday through Thursday) Issued at 1013 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

As an upper level ridge continues to building eastward into the Tennessee Valley, sfc high pressure centered over the Carolinas will allow southerly flow to return to the area. Subsequently, an increase in moisture as well as temperatures will occur through mid week. Highs on Monday are forecast to reach the upper 70s to lower 80s and will increase to the low to mid 80s by Wednesday and Thursday. Overnight lows during this timeframe will drop into the 50s-60s. After the aforementioned ridge shifts eastward into the southern Appalachian region, an upper level shortwave will bring the return of rainfall chances to our area Wednesday afternoon. Due to model disagreement, have continued with blended guidance for now. Therefore, low chances (30% or less) have been kept in the forecast both Wednesday and Thursday. Confidence in this occurring has increased since the last forecast update as the aforementioned sfc high pressure is trending more eastward/out of our area.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1257 PM CDT Fri Mar 27 2026

A cold front as of TAF issuance was moving to the south across the area. It extended roughly from south of KMSL to near KHSV and KBFG. Gusty west winds of 10-20kt will become NW into the late afternoon and northerly this evening. Winds should become N-NE late tonight, then NE after daybreak Sat. Light showers cannot be ruled out in the late afternoon and early evening, with short term MVFR CIGs. VFR conditions are otherwise expected for much of the TAF.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Red Flag Warning from 7 AM to 7 PM CDT Saturday for ALZ001>010- 014-016.

TN...None.