textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1015 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

- Locally hazardous travel conditions will continue today and tonight, due to frozen puddles of water coated by light snow flurries.

- A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through Noon today and from Midnight tonight through 10 AM Tuesday. Wind chills of -5 to +5 are expected.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Today and Tonight) Issued at 1015 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

In the mid/upper-levels, a highly amplified ridge will shift gradually eastward along the Pacific Coast of North America over the course of the near term period, effectively sustaining a downstream longwave trough (anchored by a cold core vortex in the vicinity of James Bay). Embedded within the broader belt of cyclonic flow aloft, a positively-tilted shortwave trough will progress southeastward today, likely crossing the CWFA at some point late this afternoon or early this evening. Forecast soundings suggest that lift related to this disturbance is contributing to some moistening in the 650-750 mb layer, which may in turn be responsible for snow flurries across the region this morning (in a seeder-feeder type scenario where dendrites are falling into the preexisting low stratus layer). Although this regime may continue into the early afternoon hours (especially east of I-65), the tiny nature of the snow crystals should prevent additional deterioration in road conditions, and we are not anticipating re-issuance of a Winter Weather Advisory at this point.

Otherwise, gusty NNW winds along the northeastern flank of a modifying arctic high centered across northwest TX will continue to advect a bitterly cold airmass into the region today, with temperatures only briefly touching the l20s in elevated terrain and m-u 20s elsewhere this afternoon. As a ridge extending northeastward off the high builds into TN Valley, winds will begin to subside after 22Z and should become light/variable-calm for much of the evening, before a light SW flow resumes prior to sunrise Tuesday. This, along with clear skies and dewpoints in the 0-10F range will support overnight lows of 8-12F. In these conditions, even a minor increase in wind would create wind chills of 0-5F for much of the region, and a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect from 6-16Z Tuesday.

SHORT TERM

(Tuesday through Wednesday night) Issued at 1015 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

The remnant/elongated arctic surface ridge will extend from the northwest into the central Gulf Coast tomorrow, with a modest increase in WSW boundary layer flow and abundant sunshine allowing temperatures to rise into the m30s (elevated terrain) and u30s-l40s elsewhere. By late afternoon, high-level clouds will begin to increase as a small but amplifying trough digs southeastward from the central Rockies into the Lower MS Valley in prevailing WNW flow aloft across the central/eastern CONUS. Although cirrostratus clouds may become overcast at times Tuesday night, any risk for light snow flurries with this system appear to be confined to northern portions of the Cumberland Plateau. However, conditions could become favorable for patchy freezing fog in a few local valleys as temps fall into the 15-20F range. During the Wednesday/Wednesday night timeframe, a modifying Canadian high will build southeastward from the central Plains into the Gulf Coast states, providing light/variable winds and little fluctuation in either dewpoints or temperatures. Thus, we expect highs to remain in the u30s-l40s for most of the region, with lows in the 15-20F range (and patchy freezing fog possible in a few locations).

LONG TERM

(Thursday through Sunday) Issued at 1010 PM CST Sun Jan 25 2026

Northwest flow will persist aloft through Sunday, with a series of shortwaves traversing the Tennessee Valley during this time. However, a stout surface high pressure over the north-central CONUS looks to quickly dive south towards Texas and the ArkLaTex Friday through Sunday. Guidance last night showed a low chance (10-15%) of precipitation Friday night into Saturday, and these probabilities have dropped even lower with tonight's new data. We'll continue to watch this in case trends flip the other way; but, at this time no precipitation is forecast from Thursday through Sunday.

Temperatures will therefore be the most noteworthy aspect of the long term forecast. Highs look to be "warmer" on Thursday, with values expected to reach the upper 30s to lower 40s. However, with the aforementioned upper impulses progressing over the region, highs are forecast to drop back down into the lower to mid 30s on Friday and Saturday. Although, temperatures then warm right back into the upper 30s to lower 40s on Sunday. Lows each night will still be very cold, with values in the mid teens to around 20 degrees Thursday night plummeting into the lower to mid teens Friday and Saturday nights. Therefore, please continue to exercise winter safety and protect people, pets, pipes, and plants! Space heater safety is also very important 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!

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1157 AM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

Current visible satellite imagery confirms that bands of cold air stratocu will continue at the terminals thru perhaps early this evening (beneath sct Ac that will spread eastward ahead of an approaching upper-lvl trough). However, with the remaining threat for snow flurries now shifting quickly to the N/E of HSV, we expect VFR conditions to prevail, with clear skies beyond 2Z. NNW sfc winds in the 11G21 kt range will begin to subside after 22Z, before becoming lgt/vrbl overnight and returning to WSW at 10G18 kts by 15Z.

CLIMATE

Issued at 1010 PM CST Sun Jan 25 2026

Moderate Risk for Much Below Normal Temperatures:

The Climate Prediction Center has included the entire Tennessee Valley in a Moderate Risk for Much Below Normal Temperatures February 2-3, 2026. Therefore, there is greater than a 40% chance for temperatures below 19-24 degrees F during this period.

More information on the CPC U.S. Hazards Outlook can be found at:

https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/threats.php

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST today for ALZ001>010-016.

Cold Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 10 AM CST Tuesday for ALZ001>010-016.

TN...Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST today for TNZ076-096-097.

Cold Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 10 AM CST Tuesday for TNZ076-096-097.