National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Huntsville, AL

Weather Forecast Office

Routine Products Issued by NWS Huntsville

Weather.gov > Huntsville, AL > Routine Products Issued by NWS Huntsville

                                         

 
Product Guide: Routine Products

 

Your National Weather Service in Huntsville issues a number of products every day.  These include forecasts, climate information, and forecast discussions.  The pages below offer a brief explanation of each product, and links to a current example of each product.

Zone Forecast (ZFP) Latest Zone Forecast
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
Definitions used in the ZFP | A zone is an area where essentially the same weather is expected, so that a single forecast can serve as the local forecast for all communities within the area.  Zone forecasts cover a seven-day period, and have enough detail to give customers a clear statement of expected weather.  Significant weather events, such as warnings, watches, and advisories are headlined in each zone forecast.  The zone forecast is issued around 4am/pm local time, and updated as needed.
Area Forecast Matrices (AFM) Latest Area Forecast Matrices
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
How to decode the AFM | The "Area Forecast Matrices" are a tabular representation of our zone forecast. They provide information in three-hourly increments in groupings that match the zone forecast. Forecasts cover a seven-day period. The AFM is issued around 4am/pm local time, and updated as needed.
Point Forecast Matrices (PFM) Latest Point Forecast Matrices
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
How to decode the PFM | The "Point Forecast Matrices" are a tabular representation of our coded cities forecast. They provide information in three-hourly increments for the Huntsville/Decatur metro, the Quad Cities metro, the Fort Payne area, and the Cullman area. Forecasts cover a seven-day period. The PFM is issued around 4am/pm local time, and updated as needed.
Tabular State Forecast (SFT)  Latest Tabular State Forecast
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
The "Tabular State Forecast" covers the service area of each individual office (despite being called a "state forecast". It contains expected daytime weather conditions, highs and lows, and precipitation probabilities for the next seven days. It is issued twice daily, around 4am/pm local time, and updated as needed.
Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO) Latest Hazardous Weather Outlook
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
The "Hazardous Weather Outlook" is a discussion, primarily for emergency managers and NWS storm spotters, of expected hazardous weather during the next seven days, with special emphasis placed on the first day. The Outlook is issued twice daily, at 5am and 1pm. A third HWO is issued around 9pm from November to May only.
Climate Report (CLI) Latest Climate Report:
Muscle Shoals / Huntsville
Go Back: 1 -- 2 / Go Back: 1 -- 2
The "Climate Report" presents climatological data in tabular form. Separate products are issued for Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.  The report is issued twice daily -- around 1:30am and 4:45pm.
Area Forecast Discussion (AFD) Latest Area Forecast Discussion
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
The "Area Forecast Discussion" is a narrative taking users inside the mind of a NWS forecaster, and their thoughts about forecast evolution during the next seven days. In some cases, a 'preliminary forecast' is provided of temperatures and precipitation chances at the bottom of the discussion. The AFD is issued just before each forecast package (generally around 3am and 3pm), and usually with each forecast update as well.
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) Latest Terminal Forecast:
Muscle Shoals / Huntsville
The "Terminal Aerodrome Forecast" is a forecast for aviation interests. It provides forecasts of sky cover, visibility, wind, and expected weather in a universally-coded format, for the next 24 hours. The TAF is issued every six hours, and updated as needed. The TAF is not a weather briefing. Pilots should go through their normal channels to obtain a weather briefing before flight.
Regional Temp / Precip Table (RTP) Latest Regional Temp/Precip
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
The "Regional Temperature and Precipitation Table" summarizes high and low temperatures and 24 hour precipitation at all automated reporting locations in the NWS Huntsville service area, and is issued twice a day at 6:30am/pm CST.
Daily Precipitation and Temp Report (OSO) Latest Daily Temp & Precip
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
The "Daily Precipitation and Temperatures" product is a collective of daily observations from cooperative observers, and automated stations. It contains the high, low, and 24-hour precipitation, all ending at 6am CST. The product is issued between 9am and 10am daily.
CoCoRAHS Precipitation Reports (LCO) Latest CoCoRAHS Report
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
All precipitation observations received via the CoCoRAHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow) Network is summarized in a single product that covers all of the counties within the NWS Huntsville area of responsibility.
Monthly Climate Report (CLM) Latest Monthly Climate Report:
Muscle Shoals / Huntsville
Go Back: 1 -- 2 / Go Back: 1 -- 2
The "Monthly Climate Report" is used to report climatological data at the end of each month.  It contains tabular information about the previous month. Separate products are issued for Huntsville and Muscle Shoals.   This product is issued during the morning on the first day of every month.
Fire Weather Forecast (FWF) Latest Fire Weather Forecast
Go Back: 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 versions
The "Fire Weather Forecast" is a forecast of several parameters considered helpful or crucial to fire weather operations.  These include several indices, as well as temperature, humidity, and precipitation.  The forecast is issued twice daily -- by 6am, and again around 3pm.
 
 
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