A significant severe weather threat is shaping up for northwest Alabama Wednesday afternoon and evening.

However, the possibility of an isolated tornado, severe thunderstorm or hail can’t be ruled out in Selma and Dallas County.

The Birmingham National Weather Service has Selma under a “limited” threat for severe weather from 3 p.m. until midnight.

The great threats will be north and west of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

In that area, which includes cities like Jasper, Hamilton and Fayette, strong tornadoes, damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour and golf ball size hail are possible.

However, an isolated tornado as well as damaging winds and hail can’t be ruled out in the elevated (Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Gadsden) or limited (Selma, Clanton or Montgomery) areas.

Unsettled air will hang around through Thursday morning, when there will be a second round of severe weather. Those storms are expected to be less potent, but there will still be a tornado threat for all of Alabama

The storms don’t mean there will be a sudden cool down though. The current forecast high Friday in Birmingham is 75F. That would beat the all-time high of 74F set in 1987.

Christmas might be warm, but the weather should improve and the sun will be out at times.

Above average temperatures hang around though the weekend with highs in the lows 70s Saturday and Sunday.

Cooler weather finally returns next week with highs in the low 50s and lows in the 30s for New Year’s Eve.

Follow severe weather updates, including any watches or warnings for Dallas County, online at selmatimesjournal.com