356 FXUS64 KHUN 151638 AFDHUNArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 1138 AM CDT Wed Oct 15 2025
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1003 AM CDT Wed Oct 15 2025
- Low chance of severe storms from Saturday night into Sunday morning with gusty winds and heavy rainfall being the main threat.
&&
.NEAR TERM... (Rest of Today and Tonight) Issued at 1003 AM CDT Wed Oct 15 2025
After a cool morning with temperatures in the low to mid 50s, ample sunshine has allowed temps to rise into the mid to high 60s as of around 9 am. Under high pressure influence, subsidence will keep skies clear through the day allowing afternoon temps to rise to the high 70s to low 80s. Mid level high pressure will begin its translation east through the night maintaining clear skies. While the clear skies will be favorable for radiational cooling, winds look to remain just elevated enough to dissuade both temps below 50 and fog. Even so, recent forecast trends have continued bringing in lower overnight temps with the current morning lows forecast in the mid 50s.
&&
.SHORT TERM... (Thursday through Saturday) Issued at 1003 AM CDT Wed Oct 15 2025
Mild conditions will continue through the short term forecast as we remain under high pressure influence. The mid level ridge will progress east and compress over the SE as it becomes mushed between a building low pressure system to our west and a departing low pressure system to our east. This will promote clear skies and warm days with temps in the mid 80s. By Friday we will find ourself on the western edge of the ridge inviting SE flow back into the TN Valley. This will create a weak moisture conveyor bringing Gulf moisture into the TN Valley through Friday and into Saturday along and ahead of an approaching cold front. Dew points look to return to the low 60s with PWATS near 1.3-1.5" (between the 75 and 90th percentile for BMX sounding climatology). Despite the increased moisture conditions will remain pleasant on Saturday with winds likely being the only indicator of an approaching front. As the front approaches and the pressure gradient tightens, gradient winds look to increase slightly through the day on Saturday with gusts near 20 MPH. As we head into the late afternoon and evening, cloud cover will likely increase ahead of the front. High rain chances and the potential for some strong to severe storms will arrive overnight with the details discussed below in the long term. We will work on refining the details regarding our severe and flooding risk as the period moves into HIRES model coverage over the next 24 hours.
&&
.LONG TERM... (Saturday Night through Tuesday) Issued at 953 PM CDT Tue Oct 14 2025
Our primary concern through the long term period will be a longwave trough axis and subsequent cold front pushing eastward into the Tennessee Valley on Sunday. Ahead of this frontal boundary, medium to high chances of showers and thunderstorms will be possible as an influx of moisture moves in with the assistance of southerly flow due to a sfc high pressure system east of the TN Valley. Models continue to show limited instability, however, sufficient shear for some potential strong thunderstorm development. While severe weather is not forecast at this time, storms will need to be monitored for potentially gusty winds as well as heavy rainfall. PWATs are forecast to be in the 1.7-1.9" range, which is above the 90th percentile per BMX sounding climatology. Heavy rainfall will likely cause ponding of water in areas of poor drainage/on roadways. Be sure to use caution if driving Saturday night. Storm total rainfall amounts are currently forecast to be 1-1.5" throughout the area on Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Sfc high pressure is forecast to push in behind the cold front, forcing dry conditions to return to the Tennessee Valley early next week. Highs behind the cold front (Sunday through mid week) are forecast to reach the low to mid 70s with overnight lows dropping into the mid 40s to 50s. This is considered more seasonally normal for this time of year.
&&
.AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1138 AM CDT Wed Oct 15 2025
VFR conditions will prevail at both terminals through the duration of the TAF period.
&&
.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. &&
$$
NEAR TERM...RAD SHORT TERM....RAD LONG TERM....HC AVIATION...RAD
NWS HUN Office Area Forecast Discussion