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

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.

Violent storms and long-lived tornadoes could hit the central and eastern U.S. through the weekend, bringing widespread damage, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions.