Temperatures in Alabama were expected to shoot upward today, and the National Weather Service said some record highs may be possible.

Temperatures today are expected to peak in the mid- to upper 80s in many areas, which is about 10 to 15 degrees above average for early April.

Here are the standing record highs for April 2 for a few Alabama cities:

• Birmingham: 86 degrees in 2012; average high 72 degrees
• Dothan: 88 degrees in 2006; average high 76 degrees
• Huntsville: 86 degrees in 1963; average high 71 degrees
• Mobile: 86 degrees in 2012; average high 75 degrees
• Montgomery: 86 degrees in 2017; average high 76 degrees
• Muscle Shoals: 86 degrees in 2012; average high 71 degrees
• Tuscaloosa: 88 degrees in 2006; average high 73 degrees

More of the same will be possible on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well.

Today’s expected high temperatures are at the top of this post. Below is the forecast for Thursday through Saturday.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

The National Weather Service said a big area of high pressure parked to the east of Alabama is responsible for raising the heat to summer levels in early spring.

That area of high pressure will also help to steer storms around Alabama — for the most part. There will be a chance for severe storms in the northwest part of the state starting late tonight.

A cold front is expected to move through late Saturday or early Sunday. It could also bring a chance for severe weather, and it will usher in much cooler temperatures.

In fact, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a high probability of below-average temperatures for Alabama starting next week and possibly lasting into mid-month.

Here is the six- to 10-day temperature outlook, which shows a high probability of below-average temperatures, especially for southwest and west Alabama: