The greatest risk to lives and property lies across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest tonight, where a tornado outbreak is unfolding for Thursday evening.
Tornadoes and hail have already been reported in Minnesota and North Dakota. Millerville, Minn. reported 4.25 inch hail, while a large with debris was confirmed northwest of Grand Forks, N.D.
There are also other areas that can be hit by locally damaging thunderstorms in the Tennessee Valley and southern Plains Thursday night.
Situation Serious Over Northern Plains

The risk of strong, long-tracking tornadoes stretches from Iowa to the eastern Dakotas, much of Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The risk area tonight also extends into neighboring southern Canada.
Large hail, flash flooding, frequent lightning strikes and straight-line wind gusts can also lead to damage and life-threatening situations.
The risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes Friday will encompass much of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Upper Michigan Peninsula.