Opelika, Alabama 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

753
FXUS64 KBMX 111151
AFDBMX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
651 AM CDT Fri Apr 11 2025

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Saturday)
Issued at 405 AM CDT FRI APR 11 2025

Following the widespread showers and storms that weakened and
moved south of the forecast area, skies have mostly cleared except
for the far southern counties. Due to the widespread wetting
rainfall and high amount of surface moisture, combined with calm
conditions we`re seeing areas of fog developing mainly along the
major river basins. I`ve gone ahead and added areas of fog to the
forecast for now, and may have to eventually go with a Dense Fog
Advisory during the morning commute. At the moment, most fog
formation is showing up on the GOES-19 Night Fog product along the
major river basins and some valley locations in the eastern and
northeastern counties. One other wrench to throw into the forecast
includes an area of low stratus development from Perry eastward
to Tallapoosa and Chambers Counties. I had to take a look at some
traffic cameras to confirm that it was low clouds and not fog
forming in those locations. If low stratus continues to develop,
it would help to mitigate fog formation. We`ll continue to watch
observation and satellite trends as we go through the early
morning.

Meanwhile, the 500mb closed low will continue to spin off to our
northeast while another shortwave disturbance dives southward.
Although conditions aloft are still very cold with steep lapse
rates between 850 and 500mb, we just don`t have enough overall
instability along with deep wind shear for widespread storm
formation. Therefore for today`s forecast, scattered to numerous
showers are expected to develop mainly during the afternoon with a
few isolated storms mixed in at times. As the shortwave
disturbance rotates across the northern half of Central Alabama
with increasing clouds, temperatures may actually decrease during
the afternoon north of I-20. Meanwhile, southern areas will be
affected less by the shortwave with lower rain chances and warmer
high temperatures. Highs are forecast to range from the low to mid
60s north to the lower 70s south.

Showers will diminish quickly after sunset this evening with
clearing skies aside from some high cirrus. Ideal radiational
cooling will allow for very chilly temperatures by sunrise
Saturday, though not as cold as we saw earlier in the week. With
local microclimates in mind, I`ve gone ahead and lowered
temperatures in our normally cooler locations (Haleyville,
Gadsden, Pinson, and Talladega to name a few) down into the mid to
to upper 30s, while most other locations will drop into the low to
mid 40s. As the upper trough departs to the east by Saturday we
can expect very tranquil weather across the Deep South as upper
level ridging works in from the west. With a cooler northerly
surface flow continuing, highs Saturday are trending toward the
mid to upper 60s areawide.

56/GDG

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Saturday night through next Thursday)
Issued at 348 AM CDT FRI APR 11 2025

A warming trend will develop to start the extended period as ridging
builds across the area, but not before a chilly start to the day on
Sunday. Some patchy frost will be possible in the north and
northeast, then temperatures will warm into the mid 70s. Zonal flow
aloft and southwesterly low-level flow will support warm conditions
on Monday with highs in the lower 80s. This warm up will occur ahead
of a weak cold front associated with a surface low moving from the
Great Lakes to Ontario. The front will move through the area on
Tuesday. The NBM is is still holding off on PoPs due to weak forcing
and limited moisture, but could see enough support for isolated
showers at least. High pressure will build across the region behind
the departing cold front, and dry, seasonal conditions are expected
by the middle of next week. With the pattern remaining progressive,
another system may bring rain chances to the area towards the end
of the work week.

86/Martin

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 647 AM CDT FRI APR 11 2025

IFR stratus or fog will impact a majority of terminals this
morning through at least 14z before low clouds and fog mix out to
VFR conditions through the mid morning hours. SHRA development is
expected this afternoon across northern Alabama, which could
impact a few terminals between 21z and 00z late this afternoon and
evening. Confidence is low for any TS development, and have kept
that out of the forecast for now. Northwest winds will prevail
between 10 and 15 knots this afternoon with gusts between 20 and
25 knots. Winds will diminish overnight tonight with VFR
conditions continuing through 12z Saturday.

56/GDG

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Scattered showers will be possible in the north this afternoon,
but drier air will be in place across the south where min RH will
range from 35 to 40%. Northwest winds will be breezy at times
today with gusts up to 25 mph. Dry, rain-free conditions are
expected over the weekend with min RH in the 30-35% range on
Saturday and Sunday afternoon. A cold front will approach the area
on Monday, but rain chances look questionable at this time.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Gadsden     64  36  65  35 /  40   0   0   0
Anniston    65  37  65  37 /  50   0   0   0
Birmingham  65  42  65  41 /  50  20   0   0
Tuscaloosa  69  42  68  40 /  40  20   0   0
Calera      67  43  66  41 /  40  20   0   0
Auburn      68  44  66  42 /  30  10   0   0
Montgomery  71  44  68  41 /  20  20   0   0
Troy        71  45  68  41 /  10  10   0   0

&&

.BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Dense Fog Advisory until 8 AM CDT this morning for the following
counties: Blount-Calhoun-Cherokee-Clay-Cleburne-Etowah-Jefferson-
Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega-Walker.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...56/GDG
LONG TERM....86/Martin
AVIATION...56/GDG