textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 947 PM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026

- Above normal temperatures will continue through Friday with highs in the low to mid 80s.

- Low chances (10-30%) for light showers on Friday afternoon/evening.

- Fire weather concerns will return on Saturday with a medium chance for a Red Flag Warning.

NEAR TERM

(Today) Issued at 357 AM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Mostly clear skies and dry conditions exist across the local forecast area early this morning, with temperatures currently ranging from the m-u 50s in northeast AL to the l-m 60s elsewhere. Due to a light southerly wind and potential impacts from both mid-level clouds (related to a weakening vort max dropping into the Central-OH Valley) and lower-level stratus (developing to our southwest) temperatures may not fall much before sunrise, with only a limited risk for fog development near lakes and other water sources. Over the course of the day, a 500-mb ridge (extending off a subtropical high over northern Mexico) will build eastward across the southern Plains and Gulf Coast states, with broad scale subsidence ensuring warm/dry conditions and limiting clouds to a scattered-broken coverage of fair-weather cumulus. This, in conjunction with modest SW flow in the boundary layer, will result in warm afternoon temperatures ranging from the m-u 70s in higher terrain to the l-m 80s in the valley.

SHORT TERM

(Thursday night through Saturday night) Issued at 947 PM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026

Warm conditions will continue through Friday until a weak upper wave moves through the area bringing a cold front through Friday night into Saturday. With limited moisture and the lack of stronger synoptic support, we will maintain only low to medium (20-40%) chances for rain ahead of the front Friday afternoon as winds veer from the SW to NE. The main concern for the short term period will be the increasing potential for dangerous fire conditions and a Red Flag Warning may be needed in future forecast updates. The combination of afternoon RH values below 30% Saturday afternoon and gusty NE winds will greatly increase the risk of wildfires in conjunction with the ongoing severe drought conditions. Please be mindful of this as we head into the weekend and check the forecast before doing anything that could result in an un-contained open flame.

Temps will be noticeably cooler Friday night through Saturday as lows fall to the upper 30s/low 40s Saturday morning and highs reach the low to mid 60s Saturday afternoon. Winds should begin to subside Saturday night with lows again in the upper 30s/lower 40s.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through Wednesday) Issued at 947 PM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026

The primary feature to focus on in the long term will be an upper level ridge forecast to push eastward from the southern plains towards the Tennessee Valley through mid week. In return, subsequent sfc high pressure will allow mostly dry conditions and a gradual warm up in temperatures. High temperatures are forecast to increase from the upper 60s/lower 70s on Sunday to the mid 80s on Wednesday. Overnight lows during this timeframe will drop into the 40-50s both Sunday and Monday night. Tuesday night will be more mild with lows in the mid 50s to low 60s. Tuesday evening into Wednesday, a shortwave trough is forecast to push in behind the ridge as it shifts toward the Carolinas. This shortwave will allow low chances (30% or less) of rainfall through our area (primarily north of the TN River). Confidence is low due to slight model disagreement in the placement of sfc high pressure, so have continued with blended guidance. If the sfc high is able to hold its position over the FL peninsula, this will allow mostly dry conditions through the area as rainfall chances are kept to our north.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 141 AM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Although broken layers of high-based Cu and As are expected during the early morning hours (as a weakening mid-level wave tracks southeastward from the Mid-MS Valley into the Central-OH Valley), cigs will remain AOA 6 kft. Thus, we expect VFR conditions to continue, as a lgt SE flow will keep the risk for nocturnal BR/FG development confined to wind-sheltered locations. After sunrise, sfc winds will veer to SSW and increase to 9G17 kts (before diminishing once again around sunset). Persistent low- level moisture return and strong diurnal warming will support the development of a sct-bkn fair weather Cu field by 15-16Z, which should dissipate by 23Z.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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