Severe Storms and Heat Wave Threaten Midwest, Northeast

A widespread severe weather threat is forecast across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and parts of the Northeast this weekend, with the National Weather Service warning of strong storms, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes in areas including Chicago, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa. Chicago is under a level 2 out of 5 severe risk on Saturday, with flooding possible and temperatures expected to rise into the 90s by midweek. Indiana and Michigan will also face damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes, especially Saturday afternoon and evening. Iowa, preparing for RAGBRAI, is expected to experience storms and damaging winds over the weekend, particularly on Saturday. New England and the Northeast will see a pleasant Saturday before storms and tropical humidity return on Sunday, while scattered storms and warm temperatures continue in the Rockies and Plains. A heat wave is forecast to follow the stormy period across much of the affected regions next week.