textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1041 AM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

- An unsettled pattern arrives Friday, with shower and storm chances persisting through the beginning of next week.

- We are monitoring for the potential of severe weather this weekend; however, no severe weather is currently forecast.

- There is a medium chance of severe weather next Monday.

NEAR TERM

(Rest of Today and Tonight) Issued at 243 PM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

At the surface, our forecast area remains under the influence of a weakening high shifting eastward off the Mid-Atlantic Coast (with a low-level ridge extending westward into the Lower MS Valley). This configuration will lead to light-moderate southwesterly flow and warm temperatures (u70s-l80s) for the remainder of the afternoon, even as thickening layers of cirrostratus continue to spread east-northeastward. Tonight, a weak (but slowly amplifying) mid-level shortwave trough will dig southeastward into the central Gulf Coast, with a minor increase in lift expected to result in an overcast coverage of high clouds as west-southwest flow aloft of 10-20 knots is maintained ahead of the trough. Thus, the gradual warming trend in low temperatures will continue, with readings in the l-m 50s Wednesday morning. Although calm winds may support development of patchy fog during the early morning hours in valleys and near large bodies of water, anticipated coverage is too low to include in the forecast at this time.

SHORT TERM

(Wednesday through Thursday) Issued at 1041 AM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

The system over Texas should head towards coastal AL/FL towards Thursday. Shower activity with this system should remain well to our south and west. Thus dry weather should continue Wednesday and on Thursday, with high temperatures both days into the lower 80s. Lows Wednesday night in the low/mid 50s. Deep southerly flow will gradually bring higher amounts of moisture from the Gulf to the area.

LONG TERM

(Thursday night through Monday) Issued at 859 PM CDT Mon Apr 20 2026

An active period of weather is forecast during the long term period bringing the potential for some much needed rainfall to the Tennessee Valley. Thursday night into Friday, the upper level ridge breaks down leaving a more zonal flow pattern heading into the weekend. As a sfc low across the Dakotas slowly moves off to the northeast, an attendant cold front draped across the Upper Midwest down south into the Mississippi River Valley swings east Friday. This will bring a medium/high chance (50-70%) of showers and storms to the local forecast area starting Friday night and continuing into Saturday. A few shortwaves riding along the upper level jet from Texas towards the Tennessee Valley will ripple through the area this weekend keeping medium chances (40-60%) of showers and storms through Sunday. Confidence in timing remains quite low with these weekend systems, but the main threat is locally heavy rainfall. Something that is much needed given the abnormally dry Spring. There is at least low probabilities of some strong storms, mainly on Saturday as that is when the good shear overlaps with modest instability.

As we head into Monday a more pronounced upper level trough digs down across the Desert Southwest. Sfc cyclogenesis is forecast to develop across OK/TX and then the low will eject northeastward into the Plains. The cold front to its south is forecast to swing through Monday bringing medium chances (40-60%) of showers and thunderstorms. Once again there are signs of strong to maybe severe storms coinciding with this system given the ensemble means have 40-50 knots of deep layer shear combined with 500-750 J/kg of CAPE. A lot can change between now and the upcoming weekend, but trends continue to show an active pattern.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 548 PM CDT Tue Apr 21 2026

VFR conditions will prevail at both terminals through the duration of the forecast period.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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