textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 955 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

- A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 PM Sunday due to Major HeatRisk, along with afternoon heat indices rising up to 105-109 degrees in portions of the forecast area.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of tonight and Sunday) Issued at 955 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

Thunderstorms that formed earlier have since dissipated and dry conditions are ongoing through the Tennessee Valley. CAMs are performing very poorly as far as initialization goes, however, all seem to agree on a low chance (10% or less) of showers late tonight into early Sunday. With the loss of daytime heating, not anticipating any strong to severe storms. Otherwise, in areas of clearing, there will be a low chance of patchy fog development.

A cold front should push through sometime Sunday morning as a sfc low shifts southward into lower GA. This system will bring increased PoPs south of our area, but we should remain fairly dry in a post-frontal air mass. The ongoing Heat Advisory remains valid through 8 PM CT Sunday night. The cold front may prevent some of the Tennessee Valley from officially reaching Heat Advisory criteria for the day (105+ heat index temps), however, there is still a low-medium chance we hit it in several locations and there will be additional exposure to potential heat illness over the holiday weekend with many spending time outdoors. Therefore, continue to remain hydrated and seek shade while outdoors during the afternoon hours.

SHORT TERM

(Sunday night through Tuesday) Issued at 955 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

The short term period will be driven by the upper level ridge as it shifts slightly westward to begin the work week then quickly returns eastward, bringing continued above normal temperatures to the Tennessee Valley. During this time, high temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 80s to mid 90s (with warmer temperatures remaining in NW AL) and heat indices up to near 100 degrees. These relatively cooler (than the past week) temperatures will keep heat products off the table since we will be below criteria, however, be sure to continue practicing heat safety to avoid heat illness if spending time outdoors.

LONG TERM

(Tuesday night through Saturday) Issued at 955 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

As the upper level ridge remains the main influence over the area through the long term, there will also be another feature to watch. As an upper level shortwave and subsequent low pressure system shift eastward north of the Great Lakes, a weak ridge will develop ahead of this in the northern Appalachian region and bring subsequent sfc high pressure. In turn, weak CAD will advect into the eastern portions of the area, which will likely set up a differential heating boundary by early to mid week and allow low chances of thunderstorms (30% or less) each afternoon. This will be dependent on where the sfc high officially sets up. Otherwise, mostly dry conditions are forecast with continued high temperatures in the low to mid 90s. Beyond the long term, the Climate Prediction Center keeps us in an area for likely above normal temperatures for the 8-14 day period. Therefore, relief from this heat is not currently in sight.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 557 PM CDT Sat Sep 5 2026

VFR conditions are forecast to persist through the TAF period. A low chance of thunderstorms making it into the vicinity exists this evening, but confidence is extremely low so this was kept out of the TAF. Additionally, a low chance of patchy fog exists tonight, but confidence remains low in this impacting either site so this was also kept out of the official TAF package.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Sunday for ALZ001>010-016.

TN...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Sunday for TNZ076-096-097.