Forecasts are calling for severe thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast later today, according to the National Weather Service, some of which could generate tornadoes and powerful wind gusts.

The service’s Storm Prediction Center says there is a moderate risk, the second-highest level on a five-tier system, of severe thunderstorms in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. It said the strongest storms could generate tornadoes, high winds and hail.

About 2.8 million people live in the “moderate risk” area, according to the center, a roughly 39,000-square-mile swath that includes cities like Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Montgomery, Alabama, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Other Southern states had lesser risks of severe weather, but areas from Texas to Tennessee and Georgia could see at least isolated storms.

The National Weather Service had not issued any watches or warnings for thunderstorms or tornadoes as of 9:30 a.m. CT on Tuesday. But wind advisories were issued in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana Mississippi and Alabama, warning of gusts of up to 45 mph later today.

The storm is also expected to produce heavy rain, and flash flood watches were issued in parts of Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

Residents of the affected states should monitor their local forecasts.

Seperately, the National Weather Service issued winter storm watches in parts of Illinois and Michigan, where between 4 and 11 inches of snow was expected to fall tomorrow and Thursday.

Winter weather advisories were also issued for parts of Pennsylvania, New York and New England, where a wintry mix was expected tonight and Wednesday morning.