A powerful storm system is forecast to sweep the south Friday and into the weekend, spreading the threat for severe weather all across portions of the US.

In the latest update from the SPC early Friday afternoon, a rare 5/5 high risk was issued in its Day 2 Severe Weather Outlook.

To put into perspective how serious this risk is, the last time a Day 2 high risk was issued was April of 2012. Nearly 13 years ago. A this is only the third time ever since records started being kept back in 1850.

Northwest Florida is highlighted in a level 4/5 moderate risk, which is also very significant.

With a level 4 threat, widespread, long-lived, and intense storms are likely.

These storms will contain the potential for tornado development, damaging winds, and large hail.

Here’s what to expect locally through the day Saturday.

TIMING: Isolated storms could develop as early as 11 AM Saturday morning. These will have the potential to become severe. Although, coverage early in the day looks minimal. Into the afternoon hours, we will have that same potential for some isolated storms to develop ahead of the main line that could become severe. As the day goes on, the threat gets higher. The main event with the highest severe threat will be through the later evening/overnight hours. This is when the main line of storms are set to plow across the area.

THREATS: Strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail.

With a risk this elevated, any tornadoes that form could be strong (EF2+), long-track, and even violent. Winds 70+ mph will be likely, as well as quarter sized hail. The threat for these risks are high.

Before the main line of storms even arrive, it will be quite windy. Winds will be coming out of the southeast between 20-25 mph, gusting up to 40 mph throughout the day Saturday. A wind advisory will go into effect at 10 AM and last through midnight. Make sure you secure any loose objects outside.

With a threat this high for tornadoes, it is very important that you have a plan of action and know your safe place. In your home, you would want to be in the lowest, most interior room away from windows.

If you do not have a safe spot like this in your home, you need to make plans to be somewhere that does.

It is also important that you have weather alerts set on your phone in order to receive any warnings that are issued. Especially in the case that you are asleep for the night, as this will mainly be a nocturnal event for NW Florida.

Here is a quick refresher on the difference between a watch and a warning.

Be sure you are staying WEATHER AWARE all day Saturday! Check back here for any changes to the forecast.

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