"We’re absolutely going to see some kind of impactful weather, it’s just a matter of how widespread," NWS warns.

It marks only the third time since at least 2006 that the highest risk level has been issued the day before an expected outbreak.

A severe weather outbreak in Alabama through Saturday with the threat of hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. Some tornadoes could be strong and long-track.

Most of the rest of north Alabama will have a Level 2 risk, and a small area in the northeast corner of the state will have a Level 1 risk. If storms can develop they have the potential to be intense, especially west of Interstate 65. Tornadoes, damaging winds and hail will be possible.