County residents can expect showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

The storms will be hitting the area ahead of an approaching cold front.

According the NWS, isolated severe storms will be possible as early as this afternoon, mainly across the interior portions of southeast Mississippi and southwest Alabama.

The severe weather will increase in risk across the region this evening into late tonight as the front approaches.

An organized line of strong to severe storms will move across the region this evening and into late tonight. There is a 90 percent chance of severe thunderstorms tonight.

Additionally, there will be damaging winds, which can lead to rip currents along the beaches of southwest Alabama and the northwest Florida panhandle today and tonight.

Wind gusts could reach up to 20 miles per hour in Atmore, according to the NWS.