textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 157 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

- A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for all of north Alabama from Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM.

- Above normal temperatures will continue through Friday with highs in the low to mid 80s.

- Low-medium chances (10-50%) for light showers on Friday afternoon/evening.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 157 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

No changes to the rest of today and tonight since last forecast update. Afternoon sct/bkn Cu has developed across the TN Valley this afternoon with temps in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Nearly 20 degrees above normal for this time of year! Temps will only fall towards 60 degrees tonight thanks to persistent WAA from winds remaining elevated.

Will note that we have issued a Fire Weather Watch to increase the awareness of dangerous Fire Weather concerns for Saturday.

Previous Discussion: Dry weather will persist due to the subsidence of the sfc high along the southern Atlantic coast states, back into the Gulf Coast combined with the 500 mb ridge stationed over the far Southern Plains and northern Mexico that builds a little eastward today. This combined with breezy southwesterly winds will push afternoon high temps into the lower 80s across the TN Valley. This will not meet or break any temp records, but still 20 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. Be safe in the heat. Take it slow, never leave pets or people in vehicles, stay hydrated.

As for tonight, skies will be mostly clear, but winds won't completely slack. With the highs as warm as they will be today and the lingering WAA, lows will be more like seasonable highs only reaching the upper 50s/lower 60s.

SHORT TERM

(Friday through Sunday) Issued at 1022 AM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Warm and dry conditions will persist until Friday afternoon when a weak wave rounds the ridge. This will pull a cold front into the forecast area Friday night into Saturday. Ahead of it, there will be only a low to medium (10-40%) chance of showers Friday afternoon with the higher chances north of the TN River and into Southern Middle TN. The frontal passage will also bring gusty winds up to 25 mph to maybe 30 mph overnight.

Behind the front, is where we have the greatest weather concern. This weekend Fire Weather conditions will be closely monitored, especially on Saturday. The combination of afternoon RH values below 30% Saturday afternoon and gusty NE winds will greatly increase the risk of wildfires in conjunction with the ongoing severe drought conditions. As of right now, we do not meet Red Flag Warning Criteria, however trends and obs will be monitored for the need of an issuance in future forecast updates. As a reminder, for our are a Red Flag Warning criteria is: Min RH values below 25% AND sustained winds of 17+ mph OR gusts of 25+ mph.

Regardless, be mindful of this as we head into the weekend and check the forecast before doing anything that could result in an un-contained open flame and do not let chains drag from vehicles or trailers.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 947 PM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026

The primary feature to focus on in the long term will be an upper level ridge forecast to push eastward from the southern plains towards the Tennessee Valley through mid week. In return, subsequent sfc high pressure will allow mostly dry conditions and a gradual warm up in temperatures. High temperatures are forecast to increase from the upper 60s/lower 70s on Sunday to the mid 80s on Wednesday. Overnight lows during this timeframe will drop into the 40-50s both Sunday and Monday night. Tuesday night will be more mild with lows in the mid 50s to low 60s. Tuesday evening into Wednesday, a shortwave trough is forecast to push in behind the ridge as it shifts toward the Carolinas. This shortwave will allow low chances (30% or less) of rainfall through our area (primarily north of the TN River). Confidence is low due to slight model disagreement in the placement of sfc high pressure, so have continued with blended guidance. If the sfc high is able to hold its position over the FL peninsula, this will allow mostly dry conditions through the area as rainfall chances are kept to our north.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1216 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

VFR conditions will prevail however gusty winds will persist through much of the TAF period. Southwesterly winds will gust towards 15-20kts today and this evening before they back off a little after midnight. Around 14Z Friday, winds will veer and become northwesterly as they pick back up gusts ~15kts through the end of the TAF period. Low end rain chances are expected to hold off until after this TAF period.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for ALZ001>010-014-016.

TN...None.