It is currently a damp Friday night in the Rocket City. If you stepped outside near the Space and Rocket Center just now, you'd feel a temperature of 43°F, though it honestly feels more like 40°F thanks to a light 6 mph breeze drifting in from the west.
Humidity is sitting at a heavy 91%. Basically, it’s that classic Alabama winter soup.
Huntsville is weird. One minute you’re walking through Big Spring Park in a t-shirt, and the next, you're digging through the attic for a parka because a cold front decided to drop the hammer. Today, January 16, 2026, we saw a high of 55°F under sunny skies, but the nighttime has completely flipped the script with a 95% chance of rain.
What’s Actually Happening Right Now?
The current conditions are quintessential for mid-January in North Alabama. While we had some sun earlier, the clouds have moved in thick. We are looking at a low tonight of 26°F, which is a massive 29-degree swing from the daytime high.
That’s a huge jump. Or drop, rather.
If you're looking at the huntsville al weather forecast for the rest of tonight, keep the umbrella by the door. The precipitation chance is effectively 100% for light rain as we move through the late hours. Interestingly, while there was a tiny 10% chance of snow mentioned in some models for the daytime, it didn’t materialize—we stayed strictly in the "sunny but cool" camp until the sun went down.
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The Weekend Shift: Turning Colder
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, is going to feel a lot more like "real" winter. The National Weather Service out of the Huntsville office (KHSV) is watching a lingering chill that’s going to stick around well into next week.
Expect highs to struggle. We are likely looking at mid-to-upper 40s tomorrow, but the real story is the overnight lows. We’re talking about 20s.
- Saturday Night: Low around 21°F to 25°F.
- Sunday: Topping out near 36°F or 37°F.
- Monday (MLK Day): Another cold one with a high of 41°F and a low potentially dipping to 19°F.
It’s the kind of cold that gets into your bones because of the valley humidity. Even when it’s "sunny," that 36-degree high on Sunday isn't going to feel particularly warm.
Why Huntsville Weather is Such a Headache
Honestly, being a meteorologist in North Alabama must be one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. We are nestled in the Tennessee Valley, surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachians. These mountains—like Monte Sano—actually act as a physical barrier that can trap cold air or redirect storms in ways that computer models sometimes miss until the last second.
Newcomers always ask: "Does it ever actually snow here?"
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The short answer is yes, but it’s rare. January is our coldest month, usually averaging a low of 33°F. When we do get snow, the city basically shuts down. Not because we’re "weak," but because our "snow" is usually a thin layer of slush on top of a solid sheet of ice.
Looking Toward Late January
If you think this weekend is cold, keep an eye on the period between January 23 and 25. Historical data and current trends suggest we might see a significant uptick in precipitation.
Climate Prediction Center (CPC) graphics indicate a "Moderate Risk" for much-above-normal precipitation during that window. We’re talking a 40-60% chance of seeing rainfall totals exceed 1.4 inches in a very short window.
Whether that stays as rain or turns into something "wintry" is the million-dollar question. As of right now, most models are leaning toward scenario one: a whole lot of cold rain.
Survival Tips for the Next 72 Hours
First, drip your faucets. If you’re in an older house in Five Points or near Blossomwood, those 20-degree lows on Saturday and Sunday night are nothing to play with.
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Second, check your tire pressure. This sudden drop from 55°F to 26°F is the prime recipe for that annoying "low pressure" light to pop up on your dashboard.
Third, don't trust the sun. Sunday looks clear and bright, but with a high of only 36°F and a 9 mph west wind, it’s going to be biting.
Actionable Steps for Huntsville Residents
To stay ahead of the huntsville al weather forecast, don't just rely on the app that came with your phone. Those often miss the local nuances of the Tennessee Valley.
- Follow NWS Huntsville on social media; they provide the best "uncertainty" graphics that explain what might happen versus what is happening.
- Layer up for Monday. If you’re heading to any MLK Day events, remember that 41°F in the shade feels a lot colder than it looks through a window.
- Watch the mid-week warm-up. We should see a return to the 50s by Wednesday, but it comes with more rain chances.
The Rocket City’s weather is a moving target. Keep your layers handy and your umbrella closer.