Above-average heat is expected to continue across Alabama on Wednesday, but there could be a few severe storms in the mix as well.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has expanded a Level 1 out of 5 risk to include more of Alabama today and added a Level 2 risk for parts of west Alabama (see the forecast at the top of this post).

A Level 2 (slight) risk means scattered severe storms will be possible. A Level 1 (marginal) risk means isolated severe storms will be possible.

The Storm Prediction Center thinks the strongest storms could bring damaging wind gusts capable of taking down trees or power lines. Tornadoes aren’t expected.

Western Alabama is more likely to see storms, while drier air in eastern Alabama could help keep them in check, according to the National Weather Service.

The prime time for storms will be the heat of the day, from roughly 2 p.m. until sunset (around 8 p.m.) but an initial batch of rain and storms was approaching the northwest corner of the state just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday. More storms were pushing southward out of Missouri and into Tennessee and Arkansas, and those could affect Alabama later today.

The National Weather Service said several clusters of storms could approach Alabama from the west and north this afternoon, and each could bring the risk for stronger storms.

But that could give it plenty of time for temperatures to skyrocket, and a heat advisory has been issued again for part of south Alabama.

The heat advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. for Choctaw, Washington, Escambia, Mobile and Baldwin counties.

The National Weather Service in Mobile said the heat index, or “feels like” temperature, could climb as high as 108 in those areas this afternoon.

The rest of the state will be very hot too, with highs expected to top out in the mid- to upper 90s again. Some places could even reach triple digits again.

Here’s the temperature forecast for today:

It could be a degree or two “cooler” in parts of west Alabama as clouds move in ahead of potential storms this afternoon.

Thursday could also bring temperatures closer to average for late June, according to the weather service, with highs closer to the lower 90s thanks to more clouds and even a few showers.

So far no severe weather is expected in Alabama on Thursday.

Here’s the forecast for Thursday:

But look for the heat to ramp back up over the weekend, and this time it’ll bring along more humidity, making it feel even hotter.

The weather service said the rest of the state will join south Alabama in seeing the heat index climb over the weekend with widespread values of 105 or more expected going into the first week of July next week.

Forecasters added that scattered rain and storms will be possible each afternoon into next week.