FXUS64 KHUN 202356 AFDHUN Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 656 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1033 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 - A low chance (10-20%) of showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into the early evening. No severe weather is forecast. - The warming trend will continue this weekend, with the potential for record breaking maximum temperatures on Sunday. && .NEAR TERM... (Tonight) Issued at 148 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 Dew points are just a touch lower than originally forecast. Most spots have reported values in the 40s so far this afternoon; therefore, adjusted the forecast to account for this. Otherwise, the forecast remains on track. Currently, temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s. With a handful more hours of heating, highs in the mid 70s to around 80 degrees seem reasonable. Previous Discussion: Surface high pressure will persist over the Deep South today and tonight, with south to southwest flow helping dew points to increase into the 50s. No rain is forecast today, but mostly clear skies and warm air advection will keep the warming temperature trend going. Highs are therefore forecast to reach the mid 70s to around 80 degrees this afternoon. It may also be a bit breezy, with gusts between 15-20 mph at times today. Lows tonight are expected to be warmer as well, only dropping into the 50s (compared to the 30s/40s we saw the past couple of nights). Otherwise, there is no impactful weather of note. For those that prefer the warmer weather, enjoy! && .SHORT TERM... (Saturday through Sunday) Issued at 1033 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 Although the aforementioned surface high will persist over the Deep South, an upper level shortwave looks to move along the upper level northwest flow pattern over the Southeast Saturday afternoon and evening. In addition, instability values look to increase to between 500-750 J/kg Saturday afternoon. However, bulk shear values shown by model guidance range between 25-30 knots. Therefore, there is a low chance (10-20%) of a few showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and into the evening. Although, with bulk shear values around/just below 30 knots, we're not anticipating any severe weather at this time. The other aspect that we'll be keeping an eye on this weekend are temperatures, as there is the potential for records to be met or exceeded (especially on Sunday). Here is a summary of the record maximum high temperatures for Saturday and Sunday: March 21st Huntsville: 90 degrees in 1907 Muscle Shoals: 86 degrees 1966 March 22nd Huntsville: 88 degrees in 1907 Muscle Shoals: 89 degrees in 1907 Forecast highs are currently in the lower to mid 80s for most locations on Saturday, which are just shy of the record max highs. The other caveat will be if shower/storm chances dampen temperatures a bit in the afternoon. The better probability (and higher confidence) of records being met or exceeded is on Sunday. Expect warm temperatures at night as well, since lows in the mid 50s to lower 60s are anticipated this weekend. Lastly, it may be breezy on Sunday as a cold front approaches the region for early next week (discussed more below), with sustained southwest winds around 10 mph and gusts to between 15-20 mph. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday night through Thursday) Issued at 1014 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026 Overall, there are little significant changes in the overall synoptic pattern through the mid-week period aside from a weak cold front expected to move through the area on Monday. While this won't bring any rain to the area, we will notice cooler temps in the 70s Monday afternoon and in the low to mid 40s overnight Monday into Tuesday. Another weak upper wave will bring low chances for rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, but moisture may be a little more sufficient with this system and may drive PoPs up in future updates. Ridging begins to expand to the east toward the end of the long term period and will result in another warming trend and dry conditions. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 656 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026 VFR conditions will persist through the TAF period with the main impact being WSW wind shear of 35kts near 2kft beginning at 07z through the mid morning hours. Wind gusts should stay near or below 15kts through tomorrow. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && $$ NEAR TERM...26 SHORT TERM....26 LONG TERM....25 AVIATION...25