It’s been a while since it rained in many spots in Alabama.

Rain and storms were moving across the state on Wednesday morning, and more are expected through the day today and into tonight, when a cold front is forecast to move through.

Some of the storms could be strong to severe, and the Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 2 risk for severe storms for parts of the state.

Today’s storms could bring heavy rain, and the National Weather Service added that it’s been so long since it rained that the ground is so dry in spots it’s like concrete, making rain less likely to sink right in and potentially causing flooding:

That brings up the question: Just how long has it been since it rained before today?

A while, according to data from the weather service. Here’s a look at some cities across the state, the last day there was measurable rain and how much:

* Anniston: Sept. 25, trace

* Atmore: Sept. 12, 0.05 inch

* Birmingham: Sept. 25, 0.03 inch

* Clanton: Sept. 10, 0.11 inch

* Cullman: Sept. 12, 0.12 inch (some missing data)

* Dauphin Island: Oct. 7, 0.01 inch

* Demopolis: Sept. 11, 0.10 inch

* Dothan, Sept. 12, 0.95 inch

* Guntersville: Sept. 26, 0.21 inch

* Hamilton: Sept. 26, 0.02 inch

* Highland Home: Sept. 12, 0.11 inch

* Huntsville: Sept. 25, 0.43 inch

* Jackson, Sept. 19, 0.03 inch

* Mobile: Sept. 18, 0.21 inch

* Montgomery: Sept. 20, 0.19 inch

* Muscle Shoals: Sept. 25, 0.66 inch

* Russellville: Sept. 25, 0.45 inch (some data missing)

* Talladega: Sept. 11, 0.12 inch (some data missing)

* Troy: Sept. 12, 0.01 inch

* Tuscaloosa: Sept. 25, 0.02 inch

Drier weather is expected to return to Alabama on Thursday, and the next chance for rain will come late in the weekend, when another cold front is expected to arrive, according to the weather service.