Area residents who believe Good Friday is the best day to plant a garden should get an early start.

By this afternoon, emergency officials expect to again be dealing with the threat of severe weather.

Covington County EMA director Kristy Stamnes said late Thursday that rain is possible early today.

“The main focus will be Friday afternoon with strong storms that could produce tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail,” she said. “This system is not expected to produce a lot of rain, but we could see occasional short periods of heavy rain. This looks like it will be a fast moving system and end around midnight Saturday morning.”

While the skies are expected to clear for traditional Easter egg hunts and sunrise worship services, forecasters are already keeping a wary eye on a system that could bring severe weather to the area early next week.

“This system is expected to be severe and could produce tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and unlike the system Friday, we could see up to three inches of rain,” Stamnes said.