The threat for severe weather has increased for part of Alabama for Wednesday, according to forecasters.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 3 out of 5, or enhanced, risk for storms for parts of west and south Alabama for Wednesday.

A larger part of the state now also has a Level 2 out of 5 risk.

A Level 3 risk means that scattered to numerous severe storms will be likely. A Level 2 risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible.

The strongest storms could produce a few tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds and heavy rain.

Rain will be possible today (Monday) in Alabama, along with a few storms, but widespread severe weather is not expected. However, the Storm Prediction Center has a Level 1 out of 5 severe weather risk in place for parts of west Alabama today:

Storms are expected to be more widespread on Wednesday. Storms will be most likely from mid-morning Wednesday into Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service. Southwest Alabama could see the storms as soon as mid-morning, while they will be more likely in the rest of the state on Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night.

The rain could add up, too. The weather service said some spots in Alabama could get 4 to 6 inches of rain through Friday morning.

NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has added a Level 3 out of 4 risk for flash flooding for nearly all of the state for Wednesday into Thursday:

The weather service explained a Level 3 flood risk as “a 40 percent risk of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance within 25 miles.”

Winds could be gusty on Wednesday, even away from storms, according to the weather service.

Gusts in some areas could be as high as 35-40 mph.

Here’s a look at early forecasts from the National Weather Service for Wednesday:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA