A severe weather outbreak is expected on Saturday in Alabama, according to the National Weather Service.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a rarely-used Level 4 out of 5 risk for parts of central and south Alabama for Saturday.

The rest of the state is not out of the woods either, and will have a Level 3 risk.

A Level 4 risk means that “scattered to numerous severe storms are expected.” Those could include strong (EF-2+) tornadoes. A Level 3 risk means scattered to numerous storms will be possible.

But that’s not all. Severe weather will also be possible today and on Friday night.

Here’s a look at what forecasters are expecting each day:

TODAY (THURSDAY)

There will be a Level 1 out of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather in a large part of Alabama today.

A Level 1 risk means that isolated severe storms will be possible.

Damaging winds, hail up to the size of golf balls and heavy rain will be possible with those storms, according to the National Weather Service.

Storms could impact parts of Alabama as early as 8 a.m. and last into the evening hours, according to forecasters.

However, storms will be more likely during the afternoon hours.

Today’s storms could be set off by an upper-level disturbance moving across the region.

The weather service said there is still uncertainty about how many storms develop this morning, but storms look more likely this afternoon, as temperatures warm into the 70s.

The weather service said “scattered to numerous” showers and storms are expected to develop across eastern and southeastern Alabama between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

Most of the day on Friday could be storm-free, but a Level 3 out of 5 risk will be in place for Friday night across parts of north and north-central Alabama.

Now is the time to make sure you have a reliable way of getting severe weather warnings that could wake you up if needed.

A Level 3 risk means that numerous severe storms will be possible, as well as a few tornadoes.

It should be noted that Friday’s severe weather is not a slam-dunk forecast.

There still are some uncertainties about if storms can form — but if they do they could be very intense, according to the weather service.

The issue is that most of the ingredients for severe storms will be in place but there may not be a forcing mechanism to set them off, according to the weather service.

If storms manage to develop, forecasters think the most likely time will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., with southwestern parts of Alabama likely to see storm development first.

Forecasters stressed that since Friday’s threat is more uncertain to keep an eye on the forecast for updates.

SATURDAY

Saturday could be the most active severe weather day Alabama has had in quite a while, and now is the time to prepare.

The National Weather Service is very concerned about forecast trends going into Saturday.

The Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 4 out of 5 (moderate) risk for parts of central and southwest Alabama, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Mobile.

A Level 4 risk means numerous severe storms are expected, as well as tornadoes, some of which could be the dreaded “long-track” variety.

An outbreak of severe storms will be possible, likely starting on Saturday afternoon and lasting into the overnight hours.

Forecasters had thought or even hoped that rain and storms could linger into Saturday morning, helping to mitigate the severe threat going into the afternoon hours.

However, forecast models are suggesting that may not happen and that the atmosphere over Alabama will be in near-perfect condition for severe storms by Saturday afternoon.

A cold front will be approaching from the west, and a squall line of storms could develop ahead or along it.

But before that there could be a wave of supercell storms that forms ahead of the line.

Those supercells could produce strong tornadoes as well as straight-line wind gusts up to 70 mph and large hail.

Tornadoes, damaging winds and hail will also be possible with the line of storms.

The threat for severe weather would end with the squall line, which is expected to move from west to east across the state.

GET READY NOW

Now is the time to prepare for severe weather.

A few things you can do now:

• Remove any outdoor objects that could be blown away by storms.
• Clean out your “safe room” and make sure it will be ready to go. Have helmets nearby for each family member.
• Add an app to your phone that can alert you, wherever you are, to storms approaching your area.

Keep an eye on the forecast going forward in case there are changes in timing.