textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 312 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

- Very warm temperatures are forecast today, with highs reaching the upper 80s in most locations. These values will come within a couple degrees of record values for April 17th.

- There is a high (80-90%) chance for showers and thunderstorms late Saturday afternoon and evening. A few storms could produce gusty winds and small hail.

- A cool/dry airmass will overspread the region Sunday and Monday, followed by a gradual warming trend through Thursday.

NEAR TERM

(Today) Issued at 312 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

Just a few lingering rain showers were noted on radar across middle Tennessee as of 08z. These showers may clip portions of the Tennessee Valley in the predawn hours, but most locations will remain dry. Some scattered bands of mid to high clouds will pass through the region this morning, but a mostly sunny/clear sky will develop for much of the day, thanks to the ridge to our south building northward into the area. Ample sunshine and deep southwesterly flow will result in a very warm day, with highs climbing into the mid to upper 80s in most locations. These forecasted values may become within a couple degrees of record high values for the date, April 17th (90 degrees - HSV and 92 degrees MSL, both in 2006). The southwesterly winds will also continue to advect Gulf moisture into the area as seen by dewpoints climbing into the upper 50s to lower 60s. This will keep Min RH values in the 40-45 percent range.

SHORT TERM

(Friday night through Sunday night) Issued at 1017 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Latest short range model data still indicates that the northern stream trough and surface cyclone will both deepen considerably as they track northeastward into the southern portion of Hudson Bay by 12Z Sunday, with the trailing cold front predicted to surge southeastward across the eastern Plains and into the Mid-MS Valley by Saturday morning and into the northwest portion of our CWFA by late Saturday afternoon. Although convection along the southern portion of the front (from the Lower OH Valley southwestward) will undergo a weakening phase early Saturday morning, reinvigoration of showers/storms is expected to take place during the afternoon hours as the wind shift enters our region. The risk for strong storms remains uncertain, as it is unclear if the combination of dewpoints briefly rising into the mid 60s and increasing broad scale lift will be sufficient to erode lingering CINH. If it is not, the front may have a tendency to undercut convection, resulting in elevated updrafts. However, if it is, mid-level WSW flow will be strengthening into the 45-55 knot range and could support some instances of strong wind and small hail (particularly as the front enters northwest AL). Regardless of scenario, the front will make steady southeastward progression through the region Saturday evening (exiting shortly after Midnight), with light postfrontal rain expected to end by sunrise. Storm total rainfall amounts will likely range from ~0.75"/NW to ~0.25"/SE.

In the wake of the cold front, gusty north winds will begin to advect a cooler/drier mixture of Canadian and North Pacific air into the region, with highs on Sunday ranging from the lower 60s (elevated terrain) to m-u 60s (elsewhere) even with abundant sunshine during the late morning and afternoon. As high pressure begins to shift eastward into the MS Valley late Sunday afternoon, winds will subside, making for a cool night featuring lows in the l-m 40s Monday morning.

LONG TERM

(Monday through Thursday) Issued at 1017 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

As an upper trough swings over the eastern seaboard, upper ridging will build into the region and largely maintain its hold through the remainder of the long term period. Although, some guidance suggests that a few subtle shortwaves will form over the Mississippi River Valley and progress down into the Tennessee Valley on Wednesday. At this time, it doesn't look like these will bring too much in the way of moisture to the Tennessee Valley. Meanwhile, at the surface, high pressure will be the theme over much of the eastern CONUS early in the week. This feature looks to eventually shift to be concentrated over the Southeastern states and off the coast of the Carolinas. Therefore, other than perhaps an increase in some clouds around midweek, no rain is forecast Monday through Thursday. Additionally, a gradual increase in temperatures is anticipated during this time. Highs on Monday are expected to be mild, in the lower to mid 70s for most locations. Lows that night will then dip into the 40s. However, lows are forecast to warm into the 50s by Wednesday night with highs reaching the lower 80s by Thursday.

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 556 AM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026

VFR conditions will be the predominant flight category through the period. Winds will be light out of the SW/WSW at 5-10 MPH through the day, with some scattered cloud cover passing overhead.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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