textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1017 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

- Low chance for patchy freezing fog late tonight into Wednesday morning. This could cause reduced visibility and additional slick spots on roadways, bridges, and overpasses.

- Cold conditions will persist with another blast of arctic air arriving later this week, along with a low chance of precipitation.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of tonight and Wednesday night) Issued at 1017 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

Almost all of our observations are below as freezing of 9pm, and they will continue to fall into the upper teens to lower 20s tonight. Satellite imagery (nighttime RGB and WV) highlight the upper level clouds that are filtering into the TN Valley this evening ahead of a southern stream disturbance coming out of the Southern Plains. Cloud cover will increase as it gets closer. A weak cold front associated with a low up in southern Quebec will push through the TN Valley tonight, veering winds to become northerly overnight but no precip expected with it. There is a low chance for freezing fog late tonight into early tomorrow morning with light winds in place and dew point depressions shrinking. Cloud cover will limit fog potential, in sheltered valleys and those near bodies of water have the best chance to see the patchy freezing fog. Don't forget that freezing fog can create decreased visibilities and some slick spots.

High pressure will build in on Wednesday from the South and Central Plains, helping cloud cover decrease and get temps back into the upper 30s to lower 40s. Lows will dip back into the teens to lower 20s Wednesday night.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday through Friday night) Issued at 1017 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

High pressure will further build in on Thursday and everyone should have a chance this time to be in the 40s as southerly winds return. Aloft, a ridge along the West Coast will build and a shortwave will slide down it, through the Plains and towards the Southeast by Thursday night. The wave is expected to phase in with a trough that expands across the eastern half of the CONUS Thursday night or Friday morning. We will be monitoring this feature as there remains uncertainty in timing, placement, and moisture availability. A Model Cluster group that slows down the trough, the GFS, and GEFS, have a more optimistic thought on available moisture and arrival of cold temps, bringing in light precip Friday morning to portions of the TN Valley. This could come in the form of flurries or light snow Friday morning. Stuck with current guidance and kept POPs at 10% with no mention of snow at this time due to low confidence, however trends will be monitored. The bigger focus will be on being prepared for the frigid temps to return in the long term portion of the forecast.

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Tuesday) Issued at 1017 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

To start the long term, an upper positively tilted trough is shown by guidance to swing over the Southeast, then turn into a closed low as it skirts over the Carolinas late Saturday into early Sunday. At the surface, a low pressure system traverses the northern Gulf coast and up into the Carolinas Friday into Saturday. Meanwhile, stout high pressure over south-central Canada looks to quickly punch south into the central CONUS. The surface low (coincident with the upper low) off the coast of the Carolinas will then continue its journey towards New England through Monday as the aforementioned high pressure pushes into the Deep South. The main question with this low pressure system is, will we see any wrap around precipitation (snow) on Saturday as the system departs to the northeast? Model cluster analysis largely shows little to no probability of snow; however, one cluster does show some indications of measurable snowfall over northeast Alabama. At this point, this cluster seems like the outlier and confidence is low in any precipitation; but, we will keep an eye on this as we move through the week.

The other concern will be the arctic air that will be ushered into the region for the weekend. Ensemble guidance points to a high chance (85-100%) of high temperatures being less than 25 degrees on Saturday. There is also a medium to high chance (40-60%) of highs less than 20 degrees over north Alabama and a high chance (60-80%) of this over southern middle Tennessee. The latest Blended guidance came in a little warmer, with forecast highs in the lower to mid 20s. Either way, these values are nearly 30 degrees below the seasonal norm for January 31st! It'll be frigid Saturday night too, as ensembles agree that there is a 70-100% chance of low temperatures less than 15 degrees. Forecast lows are in the lower teens, with a few single digits over northeast Alabama. Again, well below normal (by nearly 20 degrees)! To add another layer to this concern will be the tight pressure gradient that is expected to result in breezy conditions continuing from Friday night through Saturday night. Forecast wind chills are expected to drop into the -5 to +5 degree range during this time, leading to higher confidence in the need for a Cold Weather Advisory later this week. All this to say, make sure to bundle up with clothes appropriate for the extreme cold. Also, make sure to also keep heater safety in mind if you plan to use one to keep warm. Keep the area around heaters clear (3 foot rule), plug them directly into outlets (no extension cords), and don't leave them running while you are away or sleeping!

From Sunday through Tuesday, no precipitation is anticipated but a slight "warming" trend looks to take place. Highs in the 30s on Sunday are forecast to "warm" into the 40s by Tuesday. Lows follow a similar trend, with lows in the teens Sunday night and then in the 20s Monday night. Ultimately, it will continue to be cold, but not quite as cold as Friday/Saturday. Regardless, make sure to bundle up and protect people, pets, pipes, and plants!

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1125 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

VFR conditions will be the predominant flight category at each terminal over the next 24 hours. The one exception will be early this morning when some BKN decks of low stratus may develop at both terminals before scattering after sunrise. VFR conditions with light NW winds will then prevail through the remainder of the period.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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