579 FXUS64 KBMX 151725 AFDBMXArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1225 PM CDT Wed Oct 15 2025
...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1225 PM CDT WED OCT 15 2025
- Medium to high (40-80%) chances of showers and storms this weekend, with the highest chances between midnight Saturday night and 1 PM on Sunday.
- Probabilities for any severe storms remain low at this time due to weak instability, but will be monitored.
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.DISCUSSION... (This evening through next Tuesday) Issued at 1225 PM CDT WED OCT 15 2025
Through Friday Night
A ridge axis remains nearby and will continue the dry, unseasonably warm conditions across Central Alabama. The ridge axis will begin to shift eastward on Thursday in response to an ejecting longwave trough over the Four Corners region. As the pattern shifts, expect generally sunny conditions with better chances of clouds on Friday as a shortwave lifts across the Midsouth region. There will be some scattered high level clouds on Thursday as the easterly increases, but will only have limited affects on the temperatures. Temperatures will reach the 80s each day with seasonably cool conditions at night.
Saturday Through Tuesday
The ridge axis will be well situated to our east by Saturday and south to southeasterly low to mid-level flow will develop across Central Alabama as the trough deepens over the Plains. This should initiate gradual moisture advection in advance of an approaching cold front which will be situated near the Mississippi River around Saturday night into Sunday morning timeframe.
A severe threat will exist across the Midsouth region Saturday afternoon, weak low-level lapse rates and meager instability should limit the severe threat by the time the rain and storms reach our forecast area overnight Saturday night into the morning hours of Sunday. Nonetheless, a level 1 out of 5 severe risk may be warranted as we get closer and are able to better assess the details. No need to initiate messaging for that potential risk at this point. Otherwise, the entire area should receive beneficial rainfall, but amounts will be far from drought-busting. There are medium chances of exceeding one inch of rainfall across the northern and northwestern portions of the area while forecast amounts are less than an inch elsewhere, largely due to the quick passage of the front. We could potentially see a brief increase in convection in the southeast late Sunday morning into early Sunday afternoon that could increase rainfall totals in this area as well. Essentially resulting in the areas in worst drought, seeing the least rain.
Cooler and dry conditions are set to return on Monday as northwesterly flow develops behind the frontal passage. Many locations across the northern half of the area will see lows in the 40s Monday morning. Models are indicating the development of another large ridge, becoming the dominant feature to maintain dry conditions heading into next week.
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.AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1225 PM CDT WED OCT 15 2025
VFR conditions with light winds for the period. Winds will shift to more of a northeasterly after 15z Thursday.
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.FIRE WEATHER...
Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue through Friday. Minimum RH values of 25-35 percent are expected each afternoon through Thursday before a moistening trend begins on Friday. 20 foot winds should remain below Red Flag criteria. Outdoor burning remains highly discouraged due to ongoing drought conditions.
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.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 54 84 55 84 / 0 0 0 0 Anniston 54 84 57 83 / 0 0 0 0 Birmingham 58 85 61 86 / 0 0 0 0 Tuscaloosa 57 88 60 88 / 0 0 0 0 Calera 57 87 59 88 / 0 0 0 0 Auburn 57 84 59 82 / 0 0 0 0 Montgomery 57 87 62 87 / 0 0 0 0 Troy 56 87 60 85 / 0 0 0 0
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.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. &&
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DISCUSSION...16 AVIATION...16
NWS BMX Office Area Forecast Discussion