BIRMINGHAM (AP) — Storms have dumped as much as 5 inches of rain on parts of Alabama and more precipitation is forecast, possibly marking the beginning of the end of a weekslong drought, forecasters said Tuesday.

The heaviest rains fell near the center of the state, where about 5 inches of rain came down quickly. Precipitation totals of more than 2 inches were common throughout central Alabama late Monday and early Tuesday.

Nearly all of north Alabama got at least 1 inch of rain. Precipitation totals were lowest in south Alabama, with less than an inch in Mobile and just a trace in Troy.

Some areas hadn’t had measurable rain in more than two months, and the rain knocked down weeks of dust. It also helped to douse wildfires, but state officials described Monday as one of the worst days ever for woods fires in the state with 108 blazes that charred 2,742 acres.

“Most of us veteran firefighters here don’t remember that many fires in one day,” State Forester Gary Cole said. “Not only was the number of wildfires higher, but they were also larger in size.”

Forecasters said additional storms and even isolated tornadoes were possible through early Thursday, and longer-term forecasts show additional chances of precipitation.

The drought is far from over: Many areas are more than a foot below normal rainfall.

“We basically need over an inch per week for several weeks. As a rule of thumb, amounts less than 1 inch don’t alleviate the situation, only help us limp along,” said state climatologist John Christy.

But there are positive signs for a return to rainier weather, said Jason Holmes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office serving Birmingham.

“We’re definitely starting to get some more active patterns, some more chances of rain,” Holmes said.

The rains returned because a high-pressure ridge broke down and the jet stream dipped to the south as colder temperatures moved into the Plains states, he said.

High winds knocked down limbs and trees and damaged a few structures, and Alabama Power Co. said as many as 45,000 homes and businesses lost electrical service as the system moved through.

Forecasters said as much as 2 inches of additional rain will fall through early Thursday.

Any rain is a help considering that the entire state is locked in a drought and wildfires have burned more than 14,000 acres in the past month.

“It’s going to take more rain events to get us out of the drought,” Holmes said.