Severe storms plowed through the Chicago area Thursday night, after the record-breaking high temperatures created conditions favorable for an outbreak. Thursday night had brought the Chicago area's highest risk of tornadoes since July 15,

The city reached a record-breaking 93 degrees Thursday, topping the previous May 15 record of 91 degrees set in 1961.

A week-long severe weather threat ramps up Thursday across the Midwest, with Chicago, Milwaukee and other major cities bracing for powerful storms capable of producing hurricane-force wind gusts, baseball-size hail or larger,

A busy stretch of severe thunderstorms is underway due to record heat and now the threats are ramping up, putting major metro areas from Chicago to Nashville under threat as the country hits the peak of tornado season.

Cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee are at risk for a severe weather outbreak, forecasters said.

Mid-May is living up to its reputation for severe weather as an active weather pattern brings the threat of strong tornadoes, damaging hail and intense, destructive wind gusts over multiple days.