Severe weather threat targets 70 million Americans
The low responsible for triggering the widespread severe weather threat is also bringing thunderstorm risk to southern Ontario
A large swath of the central and southern United States is bracing for possible severe weather Saturday including an elevated tornado risk.
At least 70 million people are under the threat of severe storms, spanning roughly more than 116,500 square kilometres including major populated centres such as Chicago. Unseasonably warm and moist air ahead of a strengthening Colorado low, which will stretch from the central U.S. to the Great Lakes and northeast, will fuel the storms.
Severe thunderstorm watches are already in place across Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The National Weather Service said several severe storms are likely to develop, with the greatest likelihood of tornadoes in northern Illinois. The tornado-threat breakdown includes a moderate threat in northern Illinois, enhanced risk in Missouri, Iowa and Indiana and a slight risk in the Midwest, southeast and Ohio Valley.
NWS also warns of damaging winds and large hail with some of the storms, which the threat for will continue into Saturday evening.
Source: CNN