


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
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719 FXUS64 KHUN 201136 AFDHUN Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 636 AM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 ...New AVIATION... .NEAR TERM... (Today) Issued at 351 AM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 Southwest flow aloft of 40-45 knots will persist across the TN Valley through the duration of the near term period, as our region will remain within the gradient between a subtropical high situated off the southeastern Atlantic Coast and a deepening shortwave trough (currently over the southern High Plains) that will assume a negative tilt as it ejects northeastward into the Mid-MO Valley later today. At the surface, light SE winds early this morning will veer to SSE and strengthen after sunrise as the local pressure gradient contracts in response to a developing area of low pressure across north-central TX that will also deepen as it lifts northeastward into northwestern MO. Although a few light showers may occur (particularly across the northeastern portion of the CWFA) as the southerly low-level jet steadily increases into the 20-30 knot range by late this afternoon, most locations will remain dry with a broken-overcast coverage of cirrostratus clouds remaining intact. Highs will range from the u70s-l80s in elevated terrain to the mid 80s in the valley. && .SHORT TERM... (Sunday night through Tuesday) Issued at 935 PM CDT Sat Apr 19 2025 As the upper level low moves eastward toward the Tennessee Valley, low to medium rain chances (20-50%) make their debut in NW AL late Sunday night into Monday morning ahead of the cold front`s arrival. Shower/thunderstorm chances are forecast to gradually make their way eastward and increase throughout the late morning/afternoon hours. While greater instability remains south of our area, there is a low-medium chance we could have a few stronger storms capable of producing gusty winds up to 40-50 mph and small hail with DCAPE values around 300-500 J/kg as well as deep low level lapse rates. In addition to this, moderate to heavy rainfall could produce ponding of water in areas of poor drainage or low- lying areas as PWATs near the 90th percentile per BMX sounding climatology. Something we will be keeping an eye on to limit strong storm potential will be how much the cloud cover and precipitation during the morning hours limit instability during the afternoon. Gusty, non-thunderstorm winds up to 20-25 mph persist through Monday night as the increased pressure gradient continues to influence the area. However, this is below local Wind Advisory Criteria. Medium to high rain chances (40-80%) are forecast to persist through Tuesday as the front pushes southeastward through the area and becomes stationary, bringing around an inch of rainfall to the Tennessee Valley (with up to 1.25-1.5" in areas south of the Tennessee River where heavier showers/thunderstorms are more likely). Rainfall chances are forecast to decrease (but not completely diminish) Tuesday night, dropping to around 30%. High temperatures during this time remain in the 70s-80s with overnight lows dropping into the 60s. && .LONG TERM... (Tuesday night through Saturday) Issued at 935 PM CDT Sat Apr 19 2025 An unsettled pattern continues through the long term period with several small shortwaves influencing the area, causing prolonged low-medium rain chances through the week. After the aforementioned cold front becomes stationary on Tuesday, it is forecast to make its way back northwestward and return with another round of rainfall. High temperatures through the week are forecast to remain in the 80s with overnight lows in the 60s. For those who are already tired of the warmer weather, the ongoing cloud cover will provide relief from the heat as it persist through the weekend. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 636 AM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 VFR conditions will prevail at the terminals today and this evening, with development of sct Cu (by 16Z) beneath a bkn-ovc layer of Cs. However, toward the end of the forecast period, low stratus clouds and lgt SHRA will begin to impact MSL as a weak cold front approaches the region from the NW, and MVFR conds have been indicated in a PROB30 group from 11-12Z. Sfc winds will strengthen to 10G18 kts from the SSE by 16Z, but should veer to SSW this evening with sustained speeds of 5-10 kts. Although LLWS may indeed become a concern as the southwesterly LLJ increases in intensity this evening, a coherent period has not yet been identified for inclusion of this in the forecast. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...None. TN...None. && $$ NEAR TERM...70/DD SHORT TERM...HC LONG TERM...HC AVIATION...70/DD