Much-needed rain coming to Alabama today

Much of Alabama is expected to get some needed rainfall today into the overnight hours.

And there could a thunderstorm or two as well.

In fact, an isolated storm could become severe in the southwest corner of the state. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather for southwest Alabama today.

Here's the severe weather outlook for Wednesday (which includes Wednesday night into early Thursday morning):

A Level 1 risk means isolated severe storms will be possible. However, the National Weather Service in Mobile expects any storms that form to be very limited and instead the area will likely see mainly a beneficial rain event.

That part of the state has gotten some rain in the past few days, but the rest of the state could join in later today and tonight when a cold front approaches.

Some light rain was falling over parts of west Alabama as of Wednesday morning. However, the bulk of the rain is expected overnight and into Thursday.

It won't be a drought-buster kind of rain, but some spots could get up to an inch before it moves out on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Drier and cooler conditions are expected to take over from west to east during the day on Thursday.

The next update on Alabama's ongoing drought will be released on Thursday.