Strong storms will roll into the area Thursday and may last through Saturday.

A cold front is slowly moving into Alabama, leaving the state at a slight risk for thunderstorms, hail and even tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service in Calera.

The first threat for severe weather will be between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday as an area of low pressure develops in front of the cold front.

Places west of Interstate 65 are most at risk. Large hail and damaging winds are possible. The weather won’t be as bad in the East, but a few strong storms and small hail can still happen.

After Thursday morning, there are at least two others possible times for severe weather this week.

The second round is likely to occur Friday from midnight through 10 a.m. The third and most significant threat is Friday from 4 p.m. through noon Saturday.

Flooding may also be an issue in low lying areas or those with poor drainage. Three to six inches of rain is expected in the storms.

National Weather Service meteorologists say the storms’ severity will depend on timing and what happens weather-wise the previous day. They plan to refine their forecasts several times over the next few days.