There is a risk of severe thunderstorms in Alabama today, Thursday and Friday

The Meteorological Department may remain busy for the next few days.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center is highlighting the potential for severe weather for the next three days: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with Friday potentially the busiest day for storms across the state.

Tornadoes, damaging winds and heavy rain are possible with the strongest storm surge, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s a look at what to expect over the next three days.

Wednesday’s severe weather threat is expected to be confined to the northern half of Alabama. Severe weather is not expected in South Alabama.

According to forecasters, there is a possibility of tornadoes, damaging winds and hail in the north and north-central parts of the state.

The Storm Prediction Center has a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather for northwest Alabama and a Level 1 risk for the rest of north Alabama and a portion of central Alabama (Wednesday’s severe weather outlook is at the top of this post) is on).

A Level 2 risk means isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. A Level 1 risk means isolated severe thunderstorms are possible.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville said several rounds of rain and thunderstorms will be possible tonight as a stalled frontal boundary settles near northern Alabama.

The weather service said thunderstorms would be possible in northwest Alabama around 9 p.m. ET, and the threat would migrate east during the overnight hours.

Here’s a look at the times for northern Alabama:

Heavy rainfall will also be possible in northern Alabama, and a flood watch Will be effective from 6 pm today till 6 pm Friday. One to three inches of rain is possible, with up to 4 inches of rain expected in some areas.

Here’s a look at the possible precipitation for northern Alabama:

According to the weather service, the risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon will be more conditional for central Alabama. Tornadoes are not a sure thing for central Alabama, but they could intensify quickly if they manage to develop.

However, the northern part of central Alabama has a better chance of seeing severe thunderstorms later tonight and overnight.

The weather service in Birmingham said that central Alabama could see thunderstorms from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight, and the northwest part of the area could see thunderstorms from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. tonight.

Here’s a look at the times for central Alabama:

The weather service said thunderstorms will be possible through the afternoon hours, and then the focus will shift west, where storms are expected to cross Mississippi later tonight.

No severe weather is expected in south Alabama, according to the weather service.

The Storm Prediction Center has some type of severe weather risk for nearly all of Alabama for the Thursday-Friday morning period. The time frame for the above map is Thursday 6am to Friday 6am.

Yellow areas will have a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather, meaning isolated severe storms are possible.

Dark green areas will have a Level 1 risk, meaning isolated severe storms are possible.

The threat of bad weather will continue throughout the day on Friday as well. Here’s Friday’s severe weather outlook, with nearly all of Alabama at a level 2 out of 5 risk for severe storms (this map is valid from 6 a.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday):

Tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and heavy rain will again be possible with strongest storm surge.

Forecasters will be keeping an eye on a cold front that is expected to reach Alabama from the west. The timing continues to be pushed back, and Alabama is not expected to surface until Friday morning.

However, the weather service cautioned that a change in timing is possible as the system gets closer.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville said a few thunderstorms would be possible for northern Alabama Thursday afternoon, and some could intensify to severe.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said showers and a few thunderstorms could occur through Thursday morning into the afternoon across the northern part of central Alabama. Forecasters said those day’s storms could help reduce the threat of strong thunderstorms for central Alabama on Thursday afternoon.

Then the front makes it here during the overnight hours, bringing the potential for severe thunderstorms statewide from west to east through Friday afternoon.

Here’s a look at the timing of possible storms for different areas in Alabama from the weather service:

north alabama

middle alabama

southwest alabama

southeast alabama

Cool, dry and calm weather is expected after Friday’s storms, and no severe weather is expected for at least the first half of next week.