textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1002 AM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

- Gusty winds up to 25-35 mph are forecast this afternoon through Monday night.

- A band of heavy showers (along a cold front) will cross the region from late this evening through early Monday morning. Strong winds of 45-55 mph will be possible with this line of showers.

- Temperatures will be sharply colder on Monday/Tuesday, with wind chills dropping into the 5-15F range early Tuesday morning.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 243 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

The previous discussion remains mostly on track with minor adjustments to account for breaks in cloud cover this afternoon. Wind forecast remains on track, which keeps us below Wind Advisory criteria. We are monitoring trends at this time and will issue a Wind Advisory if winds outperform model data. Current wind gusts are in the 20-25 mph range and should increase along/behind the front overnight. We continue to urge all to secure any loose, outdoor objects.

Previous Discussion: As an upper level low shifts eastward into the Great Lakes region, a cold front is forecast to push southeast into the Ohio River and Tennessee Valleys early Monday morning. Ahead of this, southerly flow from a sfc high in the eastern Gulf will allow moisture advection and subsequent dense cloud cover through the area. The latest CAMs show a line of storms extending northeast to southwest forming ahead of the front and pushing southeastward into the TN Valley by ~02-03Z. The fast-moving front should allow storms to exit the area to the southeast by ~09-10Z. Greater instability and lapse rates remain displaced north of our area (in the OH River Valley). Our coverage area remains in an area of very little instability and weak lapse rates- which will prevent the formation of widespread thunderstorms. Wind shear, on the other hand, will be sufficient to support some showers/storms being capable of gusty winds up to 50-55 mph. Gusty, gradient winds will also be supported ahead of and behind the front as a 70kt LLJ dips into the area and the pressure gradient increases- with gusts up to 25-35 mph beginning this afternoon. Be sure to secure any loose outdoor objects (including holiday decorations)!

Otherwise, we should be close to (but likely will not break) record highs today as temperatures climb into the lower 70s. The HSV record is 74 degrees (1907 and 2021) and the MSL record is 75 degrees (1907). Tonight, temperatures are forecast to cool rapidly behind the front, bringing lows into the low to mid 30s by Monday morning.

SHORT TERM

(Monday through Wednesday) Issued at 1002 AM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Post-frontal conditions are forecast to be much cooler to begin the work week despite ample sunshine. Highs on Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be capped in the upper 30s to lower 40s with overnight lows dropping into the upper teens to mid 20s. Wind chills will be of concern Tuesday morning as apparent temperatures drop into the single digits to low teens. Be sure to dress in layers if heading outdoors!

By mid week, northerly flow shifts slightly more westerly as upper level ridging begins to shift east out of the Deep South. This will allow for the start of a slight warm up through the end of the week as highs rise into the 50s through much of the area. Dry conditions are forecast to persist under the influence of sfc high pressure.

LONG TERM

(Wednesday through Saturday) Issued at 1013 PM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

Dry northwest flow aloft will prevail across the TN Valley for the duration of the extended period, with a modest warming trend expected to begin on Wednesday as southwesterly flow in the low- levels will exist to the north of a ridge lying across the northern Gulf. Although a reinforcing/dry cold front may drop into the region Thursday night, present indications are that the cold air will remain displaced to our north, with only a minor decrease in dewpoints anticipated at this point. Clouds and chances for rain may begin to increase late in the period (Friday night into Saturday) as a weakening mid-level trough and surface low shift southeastward across the southern Plains and into the Lower MS Valley. However, we will keep POPs in the 30-40% range at this point. Highs will progressively warm from the m-u 40s on Wednesday into the m-u 50s by Saturday, with overnight lows finally rising above freezing (and into the m-u 30s) by Saturday morning.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 526 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Winds will increase out of the WSW to west ahead of an approaching cold front -- gusting to 25-30 kts late this evening and overnight. Winds will veer to the NW in wake of the front and remain gusty through midday on Monday. Have also included a TEMPO between 04-08z due to reduced MVFR visibilities and ceilings and SHRA that will develop and move through the area along the front. Low clouds will lift after sunrise, with clear conditions developing by the late morning into the afternoon on Monday.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST Monday for ALZ001>010-016.

TN...Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST Monday for TNZ076-096-097.