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

Kansas City is getting hit by winds up to 80 MPH and half-dollar-sized hail that could damage roofs or cars. The area is also in danger of flash flooding, as thunderstorms batter the Midwest and Great Plains.

A wide swath of the Midwest and Plains states is under a tornado watch and severe weather conditions are forecast to persist into next week, the National Weather service said Thursday.