Huntsville, AL – Alabama could be welcoming 2026 with unusually warm temperatures, as long-range forecasts point to a stretch of near-record heat developing after Christmas and lingering into the New Year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 8–14 day temperature outlook for Saturday, December 27 through Friday, January 2 favors above-normal temperatures across Alabama, including Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and surrounding communities.
In Huntsville, daytime highs during the post-Christmas to New Year’s period are expected to run well above late-December averages, with some afternoons potentially approaching or challenging daily temperature records. Late December typically brings colder air and occasional freezes to north Alabama, making the forecasted warmth especially notable.
Meteorologists say the mild pattern is being driven by a broad ridge of high pressure dominating much of the eastern United States, limiting Arctic air intrusions and keeping true winter cold locked farther north. As a result, overnight lows may also remain elevated, reducing the likelihood of frost or freeze events across much of the state.
The warmth may extend beyond New Year’s Day. NOAA’s Week 3–4 outlook for January 3–16, 2026 continues to lean above average for temperatures across much of Alabama, particularly across northern and central portions of the state. While confidence decreases farther into January, current signals support a mild start to the new year.
The extended warmth could impact energy demand, agriculture, and winter weather expectations, including reduced chances for snow or prolonged cold snaps. Forecasters caution that winter patterns can still shift quickly, but for now, Alabama appears poised for a warm and unusual start to 2026.
