A hazardous weather alert is in effect for Northeast Ohio, including the Cleveland and Akron areas, as strong to severe thunderstorms and heat move through the region. The National Weather Service warns of damaging winds,

A tornado watch has been issued until 11 p.m. Friday for Cook County and most of northern Illinois. Strong storms are expected to hit the Chicago area between 8 p.m. and midnight, the National Weather Service said.

Heavy rain is in the forecast for Chicago on Friday night, but an earlier threat of severe weather has significantly diminished. A tornado watch had been in effect for most of the Chicago area until 11 p.m., but it was canceled around 9:30 p.m.

The weather service forecasts a high-humidity environment with scattered thunderstorms developing Sunday afternoon and evening. Slow-moving storm cells could produce localized rainfall amounts of 2-3 inches, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 4 inches of rain.

Michigan residents should prepare for a potentially stormy Saturday with a high risk of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across multiple regions of the state.

Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries and are taking an increasing toll on health, economies and the environment.

A tornado siren blared in Iowa this afternoon as a funnel cloud could be seen in the backdrop of the famed speedway outside Des Moines. NBC News’ Maggie Vespa reports on the severe weather threats facing millions in the Midwest tonight.

Forecasters warn that slow-moving storms could bring heavy downpours to already saturated areas, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

Federal agencies that monitor and forecast storms got heaps of attention on Capitol Hill Wednesday, as Florida prepares to enter peak hurricane season next month.

Severe thunderstorms will head east by Saturday, impacting eastern Michigan and parts of northern Indiana. Rain from 1 to 2 inches is possible as the system tracks east, but some areas could see isolated amounts of 3 to 5 inches through the weekend.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 73. Southwest wind around 6 mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

A line of heavy thunderstorms swept across the D.C. region Wednesday evening, unleashing torrential rains that flooded streets and violent wind gusts that toppled trees. The storms produced spectacular skies — including menacing clouds on approach and vivid rainbows upon exiting.