textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1101 AM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

- A Flood Watch remains in effect through Saturday morning for a low risk of flash flooding.

- Total Rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches are forecast, with locally higher amounts up to 5 inches.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 346 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

The initial band of rainfall that moved through the area early today continues to progress eastward; lingering over Cullman, Marshall, Jackson, and Dekalb counties. Rainfall totals as of 3 PM remain highest over our NW zones as well as the counties previously mentioned above with between 1-2 inches. Outside of those areas, less than an inch has fallen thus far. The next round of rainfall to overspread the entire area out ahead of an upper level disturbance to our west will move in from the south after 5 PM. Rainfall will continue for much of the overnight period dropping an additional 0.5 to 2 inches across the area. Locally highest amounts of up to 4-5 inches for the entire event will be focused south of the river and east of I-65. As such, flooding remains the primary concern as we go into tonight and the Flood Watch remains in place through noon tomorrow. Severe threat has continued to dwindle with barely any lightning to speak of so far today in our area of responsibility. A lightning strike or two cannot be ruled out overnight as these next rounds of rain move through but in terms of severe potential the lack of any instability and weak low level lapse rates do not look conducive to support severe storms. Low temps will be very mild in the mid to upper 50s with light winds.

SHORT TERM

(Saturday through Sunday night) Issued at 1101 AM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

Widespread showers and a few thunderstorms should be in progress for the start of Saturday. The heaviest rainfall should be over our more eastern areas, with lighter showers west. Another one quarter to three quarters of an inch of rainfall is expected again mainly over our eastern areas. This should bring grand totals into the 1.5 to 3 inches with isolated amounts of 4-5 inches not out of the question. Despite the on-going moderate drought, a flooding threat will continue into Saturday morning. A cold front now to our west is forecast to move in a west to east manner across the area during the day Saturday. The passage of this front will help end shower activity as it passes. It will also return colder conditions to the area. After above normal warmth with highs in the lower 60s Saturday, temperatures will tumble into low/mid 30s by daybreak Sunday.

Despite generally sunny skies, chilly conditions are expected to start a new week. Highs Sunday should only rise into the low/mid 40s. A brisk NW wind of 10-15 mph and some gusts over 20 mph will produce apparent temperatures 10-15 degrees colder. The colder air will be felt Sun night with lows in the low/mid 20s but with lighter winds.

LONG TERM

(Monday through Thursday) Issued at 930 PM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

High pressure will dominate over the area as we begin the next work week with little change in the synoptic pattern until mid-week. The cooler post-frontal airmass will linger through Monday with morning lows in the 20s and highs in the mid to upper 40s. Another chilly night is in store Monday into Tuesday morning as lows fall to the 20s once again. Southerly winds will bring warmer temps and a slight increase in moisture on Tuesday ahead of a positively tilted trough that will begin to dig into the southeast on Wednesday. This will be accompanied by a cold front that will bring low chances for rain to the area Wednesday afternoon and evening. The environment ahead of this front still looks starved for moisture and thus any measurable rainfall should only amount to a few hundreths. After highs in the 50s Tuesday and Thursday, low temps will fall near the freezing mark Thursday morning with highs back to the 40s during the day.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 537 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

VFR conditions are in place at KMSL at this time. Thus, adjusted conditions to VFR briefly at KMSL from 00Z to 03Z. Believe low clouds will redevelop after 03Z (maybe a tad earlier at KMSL) and continue tonight. Then expect light rain to become widespread after 3Z at both terminals, when MVFR VSBYS and CIGS will be in place. Most guidance does show heavier rainfall moving into the area after 07Z (closer to 09Z at KHSV). This will likely bring down visibilities to MVFR if not IFR realm. Held off on being more specific later in the TAF period with -RA possibly holding on until between 13Z and 16Z.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for ALZ001>010-016.

TN...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for TNZ076-096-097.