The National Weather Service on Saturday continued to monitor the threat for severe weather in Alabama next week.

A line of storms could move across the state, starting Tuesday night, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes.

The weather service also expects it to be windy on Tuesday before the storms arrive.

Forecasters still think that the more likely time for storms to affect Alabama will be from Tuesday night into the early morning hours of Wednesday, although the weather service said refinements to timing are likely in the coming days.

The latest severe weather outlook from the Storm Prediction Center has expanded to a Level 2 out of 5 (slight) risk for severe weather to include a large part of the state.

A small area in west Alabama has been upgraded to a Level 3 or enhanced risk.

A Level 3 risk means numerous severe storms will be possible. A Level 2 risk means the severe storms could be more scattered in nature.

Only the southeast corner of the state is not yet included in the severe weather risk.

Forecasters said the main concern will be the threat for straight-line winds, which could gust as high as 70-80 mph in some cases and could cause downed trees and power lines.

“Although a few brief tornadoes will certainly be possible, trends are pointing toward a much more significant straight-line wind risk at this time,” the weather service in Huntsville said in its Saturday morning forecast discussion.

The weather service cautioned that refinements to timing and areas affected will be possible in the coming days.

March marks the beginning of meteorological spring, and what is typically Alabama’s busiest stretch for severe weather. However, after Tuesday severe weather is not expected for the rest of the week for Alabama.

Additionally, the weather service will be keeping an eye on the next system to bring rain to the state, which could be on Friday or Saturday.