The confidence in the possibility for severe weather has increased for all of Alabama today (Friday).

An enhanced risk, or Level 3 out of 5, has been added for all of north and part of central Alabama today.

A Level 3 risk means that “numerous” severe storms will be possible.

The rest of the state is not left out and has Level 2 and 1 risks today as well. Level 2 means scattered severe storms will be possible.

Isolated severe storms will be possible in Level 1 areas.

The National Weather Service said that the enhanced risk has been added to the forecast because of the higher likelihood of damaging straight-line winds, which could gust as high as 60 mph.

That means downed trees and power outages will be possible.

In addition there could be hail and heavy rain. A tornado or two will also be possible, according to the weather service.

More strong to severe storms will also be possible on Saturday, and there will be a Level 1 risk for nearly the entire state.

FRIDAY

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has placed all of north Alabama and the northern part of central Alabama, roughly from Birmingham and Tuscaloosa northward, in a Level 3 risk today (see today’s severe weather outlook at the top of this post).

Areas from southwest Alabama near Mobile and tho the northeast have a Level 2 risk. Areas from roughly Montgomery and Greenville and to the south and east have a Level 1 risk.

The weather service thinks the most likely time for storms to approach Alabama’s western border will be from 1-3 p.m.

Those storms are expected to track to the east and south during the rest of the afternoon and into the nighttime hours.

SATURDAY

The weather service thinks another round of strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible on Saturday, but they might not be as numerous.

The Storm Prediction Center has all but a sliver of west Alabama and coastal areas in a Level 1 out of 5 risk for Saturday.

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

Saturday’s storms could also generate damaging winds, hail and heavy rain. Tornadoes are not expected.

Storms are forecast to move out of Alabama by Sunday, and drier weather is in the forecast for the first part of next week.

So far there are no additional severe weather threats in the forecast for Alabama next week.

Here’s more on today’s severe weather threat from the National Weather Service:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA