textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 931 PM CDT Wed Aug 5 2026

- Coverage of afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be slightly lower on Thursday/Friday (and mainly focused in the higher terrain of the east). However, a low-medium (20-60%) chance for diurnal convection will continue each day through Wednesday.

- NWS Heat Risk highlights Moderate (Level 2 of 4) heat impacts across the Tennessee Valley from Thursday-Wednesday. These values will increase to Major (Level 3 of 4) for parts of the area beginning Friday.

NEAR TERM

(Today) Issued at 334 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026

The previous forecast remains on track. Localized, dense fog has been observed in portions of northern AL (specifically, around Cullman, Muscle Shoals, and Scottsboro so far). However, it has been intermittent. This has not been observed consistently nor widespread enough to warrant a Dense Fog Advisory at this time. Any fog that does form should be fully dissipated shortly after sunrise, however, we continue to urge commuters to use caution by slowing down and increasing distance between vehicles while using low-beam headlights. Otherwise, highs are still on track to reach the upper 80s to mid 90s with heat indices around 100 degrees. As far as rain chances go, they are forecast to be low-medium (20-50%), with the greatest chances remaining in far NE AL and portions of southern middle TN. Similar conditions to the past several days will result in low threats of lightning, heavy rainfall/flooding, and gusty winds.

Previous Discussion: Showers and thunderstorms have diminished at this hour and winds are slacking with some stations reporting calm conditions already. Combined with the moisture in place from today's rainfall and decreasing cloud cover, patchy fog is expected tonight. Temps will reach the upper 60s to lower 70s.

For your morning school commute tomorrow, watch out for any lingering patches of fog, and temps will be in the lower 70s. On Thursday, a short wave will round a broad Canadian centered trough and move through the Midwest and into the OH Valley. The ridge centered over the Southwest will also expand eastward. With the surface boundary and cut off low finally out of here, there will not be much focus for storms tomorrow. But with plenty of moisture in place and diurnal heating, expecting a low chance (10-30%) of showers and storms in NE AL and Southern Middle TN. Storms can produce lightning and locally heavy rainfall, and will note that the steering flow will be weak once again, so storms will be moving slowly. Daytime highs will be in the upper 80s where the greatest rainfall chances are to the lower 90s elsewhere. Heat index values will hover around 100 degrees.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday night through Saturday) Issued at 931 PM CDT Wed Aug 5 2026

On Friday, southeasterly flow aloft will send a shortwave from NE/OK/MO into the region. This will help increase precip chances (20-50%) but highest chances will still be found in NE AL and Southern Middle TN. Will be monitoring what convection develops to our NW Thursday night and see if any of that is able to make it into the TN Valley. If so, POPs will need to be raised. As the shortwave moves through, precip will start in the morning mainly to our north and expand to include the rest of the TN Valley during the afternoon hours (30-70%). Despite this, heat will continue to build in.

Temperatures will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s Friday and Saturday, however it will feel more like it is in the upper 90s to just over 100 degrees outside. Most of us will also be in a Moderate Heat Risk (Level 2 of 4) both days as well. It's not heat advisory criteria, however please be safe out in the heat!

LONG TERM

(Saturday night through Wednesday) Issued at 931 PM CDT Wed Aug 5 2026

Through the long term ridging will set up both at the surface and aloft just to our SE. This will maintain WSW flow and keep dewpoints in the mid 70s. Under broad ridging, highs will remain in the low 90s each afternoon. Temps in the 90s paired with dewpoints in the 70s will quickly bring heat concern back into the forecast. Heat indices look to flirt with triple digits each afternoon, yet currently remain below 105 criteria for a Heat Advisory. We will continue to monitor temperature trends should an advisory look more likely as the new work week draws closer.

Paired with heat concerns, each afternoon will have low to medium chances (30-50%) for scattered showers and thunderstorms. Without strong forcing, afternoon storms will pose little to no strong to severe risk. Rather, lightning and heavy rainfall look to be the primary threats. In weakly forced regimes like this, things can change quickly especially regarding strong to severe storms. Please check back for updates!

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 544 AM CDT Thu Aug 6 2026

Lingering fog will likely continue impacting KMSL through 14Z, which has been represented by a TEMPO group for IFR conditions. Otherwise, VFR conditions are forecast at both KMSL and KHSV. At KHSV this afternoon, a PROB30 has been kept for low chances of showers causing MVFR conditions due to decreased visibilities.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...None. TN...None.