A busy stretch of severe thunderstorms is underway due to record heat and now the threats are ramping up, putting major metro areas from Chicago to Nashville under threat as the country hits the peak of tornado season.

The Thursday forecast shows a possibility of scattered thunderstorms developing over western Minnesota before they head east toward the Twin Cities.

Meteorologist Jake Beitlich says a strong, low-pressure system brought gusty winds and severe storms to parts of the state on Thursday. Tornadoes were reported far northwest by Grand Forks and Crookston, wet central Minnesota near Benson, a “skinny-rope” tornado near Montevideo, and another near Spring Hill.