The threat for severe weather has increased for part of Alabama today, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

SPC forecasters have added a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather for the northern third of the state today (the areas in yellow in the map above). The rest of the state has a Level 1 risk.

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

The strongest storms could have wind gusts strong enough to take down trees and power lines, hail of up to 2 inches — and a tornado or two. More heavy rain will also be possible.

The National Weather Service said that rain and storms will be possible through the day today, but the chances for strong storms will come into play later this afternoon — roughly about 4 p.m. for western Alabama — and last through the evening hours.

A passing weather disturbance is expected to set off storms later this afternoon.

The threat for severe storms will last into Friday, and the Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a Level 1 risk for the southeastern part of the state.

Here’s the severe weather outlook for Friday:

Chances for rain and storms will last into Saturday and the rest of the weekend, but so far severe weather isn’t in the forecast.

Drier weather is expected to return to Alabama by the middle of next week.

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

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA