Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL

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514
FXUS64 KHUN 250733
AFDHUN

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
233 AM CDT Wed Sep 25 2024

...New NEAR TERM, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.NEAR TERM...
(Today)
Issued at 233 AM CDT Wed Sep 25 2024

Weak cold front continues to drift eastward closer to NW AL this
early Wed morning, as an upper low/trough axis drops into the
Midwest region. Some light rain/showers are occurring ahead of
the front across parts of north central/NE AL. This activity will
increase though along/ahead of the front with the onset of the
daytime period, as the front crosses into NW AL. Scattered to
perhaps numerous showers/few tstms are expected for areas S/E of
the front going more into the daytime hrs, as the upper low drops
more into the Mid South area. Little in the way of instability
should offset the prob for any stronger storms today, with mainly
just some locally heavy rainfall possible with the activity later
today. Rainfall amounts up to an inch are possible today, mainly
along/east of I-65. Given the cloud cover/rainfall, highs will
struggle to surpass the mid/upper 70s for most of the area.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Friday night)
Issued at 233 AM CDT Wed Sep 25 2024

The front will drift more to the east closer to the I-65 corridor
tonight, with rainfall diminishing with the loss of weak buoyant
energy. Weak convergence along the front may still allow for some
shower/tstms overnight, mainly east of I-65. The influx of cooler
air will at least translate into lows tonight in the lower/mid
60s. The pattern will then change considerably starting Thu, as
Tropical Storm Helene in the western Caribbean lifts northward and
strengthens into a hurricane. Outer rain bands/squalls associated
with Helene will begin to spread northward into the eastern half
of the region. Periods of moderate/heavy rainfall can be expected
into Thu night, as the hurricane makes landfall along the FL Big
Bend region and then lifts to the NNE. Additional rainfall amounts
around 2-4 inches are possible Thu/Thu night, especially east of
I-65 and a Flood Watch will likely be needed for the eastern half
of the area during this time frame. Wind gusts east of I-65 could
also be around 20-30 MPH into Thu night. These speeds are just
below Wind Advisory criteria, although any change in the track of
Helene to the west once inland could result in higher winds/gusts.

The threat for localized/flash flooding could extend into Fri
morning for areas east of I-65, as the remnants of Helene begin to
lift N/E of the area and the upper low to the west drifts into the
lower MS Valley. Going more into the day Fri, the better moisture
convergence axis between these two systems will lift northward
into TN, allowing for a diminishing trend in the rainfall over
much of the area. This pattern continues into Fri night, as the
remnants of Helene begin to be absorbed into the upper low to the
west. Given the continued cloud cover/rainfall, highs Thu/Fri will
likely trend in the lower/mid 70s, with lows into early Sat predom
in the mid 60s/near 60F.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday trough Tuesday)
Issued at 233 AM CDT Wed Sep 25 2024

The upper low will then begin to lift N/E of the central TN Valley
this weekend, providing for a low chance of showers (20-30%) both
Sat/Sun with some decreasing cloud cover. Minimal rain chances are
expected into the first half of the work week as well, as a
reinforcing cold front out of the NW sweeps thru the region. With
the decrease in cloud cover/rainfall, highs this weekend will be
more in the mid/upper 70s, before climbing into the upper 70s/near
80F Mon/Tue. Overnight lows thru the latter half of the forecast
period also look to remain in the mid 60s/near 60F.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1211 AM CDT Wed Sep 25 2024

A weak cold front continues to drift eastward into NW AL heading
into the overnight hrs. Some -shra may develop along/ahead of the
front into the early morning period, but this should have minimal
impact on any of the terminals. Sct shra/perhaps a few tsra are
expected to develop along/ahead of the front going into the
daytime hrs, especially near the KHSV airfield and a TEMPO group
has been included in the 14/18Z time frame to account for any
reduced cig/vis. Otherwise, MVFR cigs look to develop Wed morning
and persist into the early afternoon hrs before cigs perhaps lift
above 3K ft. A PROB30 group was maintained for both terminals
during the afternoon hrs for any additional -shra or -tsra. Precip
looks to taper off Wed evening, with cigs remaining above 3K ft.

&&

.HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...None.
TN...None.
&&

$$

NEAR TERM...09
SHORT TERM....09
LONG TERM....09
AVIATION...09