textproduct: Huntsville

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 135 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

- High chances for showers and storms Saturday afternoon into Sunday with a low chance for strong to severe storms along and west of I-65.

- Colder conditions return to the area next week; with high temperatures in the 60s and lows in the 40s.

NEAR TERM

(Tonight) Issued at 135 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

No changes have been made from the previous forecast. Skies have cleared, especially along and west of I-65. Strong southerly flow along the western edge of high pressure has warmed temperatures up into the upper 70s to lower 80s. It feels more like summer with dewpoints in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Breezy conditions this afternoon, with gusts as high as 25 mph will continue through this evening, but will diminish overnight down to 5-10 mph. These winds should prevent any fog from forming despite the humid airmass in place. Overnight, tranquil and mild weather conditions are forecast with temperatures dropping only into the lower 60s, nearly 10 to 15 degrees above climatological normals for this time of year. Cloud cover may begin to increase early tomorrow morning from west to east ahead of an approaching cold front.

SHORT TERM

(Saturday through Sunday Night) Issued at 1004 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

Saturday will bring high chances (90-100%) of showers and storms and more importantly a good soaking rain. An upper level trough will dig southward across the Plains with a sfc low ejecting northeastward across the Upper Midwest. South of the low, a cold front will sweep eastward across the Ohio and Tennessee River Valleys. Prior to the front arriving into our local area, temperatures will warm back up into the lower 80s. Daytime heating will help increase CAPE values to around 1000 J/kg and then gradually decreasing after sunset as the sun goes down. Based on latest CAM guidance, a line of storms along the front should push into NW between 3-5 pm and then quickly move east. Given that shear values remain quite low, not expecting any severe storms. However, cannot rule out a few strong storms for areas west of I-65 as that is the area where forcing along the front and higher instability overlap. Further east, environment is not as favorable, therefore storms are anticipated to weaken. Some good news is that a good soaking rain of 1-1.5 inches is forecast as this frontal system passes through Saturday into Sunday. Showers and storms come to end late Sunday morning into the afternoon from west to east. A much cooler airmass advects into the region late Sunday with overnight lows expected to drop down into the lower 40s.

LONG TERM

(Monday through Thursday) Issued at 926 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

As an upper trough progresses over the Northeast, northwest flow will set up over the local area early next week until midweek when an upper ridge moves into the region. This then looks to quickly push east towards the Carolinas on Thursday. Meanwhile, surface high pressure from south-central Canada is expected to punch southward over the central CONUS by Monday morning, then continue its south/southeastward trajectory towards the Southeastern states through early next week. This feature is then shown to shift east over the New England coast by Thursday, but still stretch to the southwest over the Appalachians and into Alabama and Mississippi. Overall, this means little to no precipitation and a significant cooldown for the Tennessee Valley.

Highs in the 60s to around 70 degrees will be common through midweek, with lows in the 40s Sunday and Monday nights. The coldest night still appears to be Tuesday night, with lows forecast to dip into the upper 30s to lower 40s. One thing we will need to keep an eye on is the potential for frost, especially if temperatures trend colder. Although it has been warmer recently, it's not yet time to pack away warmer clothes! In addition, these colder temperatures (especially Tuesday night) may be concerning for those with agricultural interests or even those with outside plants or gardens. Therefore, keep that jacket handy and take steps to protect sensitive vegetation early next week into Wednesday.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your like or dislike for colder weather) this "cold snap" will be fairly short-lived. As the aforementioned high pressure shifts eastward, temperatures will then begin to moderate back into the lower 70s by Thursday.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 647 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

Conditions will be VFR and winds will remain elevated overnight. Southerly winds will pick back up after sunrise and MVFR CIGS will move in for a few hours. There will be a few showers ahead of the approaching line of storms tomorrow afternoon, but coverage and direct impact to the terminals is too low to include in this TAF package. The line of storms is expected at this time to move into KMSL around 23Z, and KMSL shortly after this TAF period of 00-01Z. Heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hail are all hazards within this line of storms.

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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