Forecasters say a cold front moving into Alabama may bring strong storms and the possibility of tornadoes.

Strong southerly winds are expected to generate a high risk of rip currents along area beaches on Thursday. Forecasters say the main threats are hail and damaging winds, but isolated tornadoes are possible.

East Alabama likely will see severe weather around lunchtime today.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service (web|news) in Birmingham give Anniston an 80 percent chance of rain, with severe thunderstorms likely in the early afternoon.

The frontal system is expected to stall over north Alabama, giving much of the eastern quadrant of the state a 20 percent chance of rain Friday and Saturday.

Another system will move in Sunday, likely causing more storms.

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