Severe storms are set to impact the Midwest and parts of the southern United States, bringing threats of large hail, damaging winds, and potentially strong tornadoes. Following Monday's deadly severe weather in the central U.S., the focus has shifted to the Ohio Valley and Lake Michigan area.

On Tuesday, millions of people, including those in Chicago, have been placed under a new Tornado Watch. Although an earlier line of showers and thunderstorms moved across the Midwest, they remained below severe limits. However, the atmosphere is expected to reload for a second round of severe weather throughout the evening.

Unlike the intense supercells seen on Monday, Tuesday's storms are anticipated to form in clusters and lines. The primary severe storm threats will be large, tennis ball-sized hail, damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and the possibility of a few tornadoes. A Tornado Watch has been issued until 8 p.m. CT for Chicago, as well as parts of northern Illinois, northern Indiana, southwestern Michigan, and a sliver of Wisconsin.

The severe weather threat expands beyond the initial Tornado Watch, with regions in the Ohio Valley at risk as well. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a larger area where tornadoes could become strong, including Indianapolis in Indiana, Columbus and Cincinnati in Ohio, and Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky. More than 13 million people are included in a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather.

Moving to Wednesday, severe weather is expected to impact areas from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys. With higher severe weather ingredients compared to Tuesday, there is a better opportunity for tornadoes. The FOX Forecast Center warns of the potential for strong, long-track tornadoes, though the coverage of thunderstorm activity in the morning could affect the severe weather potential in the afternoon.

Cities such as Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee, St. Louis in Missouri, and Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky all face the risk of severe weather on Wednesday. The severity of these storms will need to be closely monitored as the day progresses.

On Thursday, severe storms are possible in central and East Texas, the lower Mississippi Valley, the Southeast, parts of the Carolinas, and the mid-Atlantic. Damaging winds and hail are expected to be the primary threats, with the possibility of a tornado or two. The exact timing of these storms is uncertain, depending on the outcome of Wednesday's severe weather. However, the afternoon and evening are the most likely time period for severe thunderstorms.

Additionally, eastern portions of Texas, which have already experienced catastrophic flooding, could see more flooding as between 2 and 3 inches of rain is forecasted to fall in the region.

As the severe weather threat intensifies across the Midwest and southern U.S., residents are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.