More than 45,000 power outages were reported in Massachusetts on Thursday evening, many of them in the southeastern part of the state. There were early reports of an intense storm blowing through the area — severe thunderstorm warnings had been issued there and across New England on Thursday.

Chicago could see strong storms Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights — with heat building Friday alongside the threat of severe weather.

Severe thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon and evening across the Midwest to southern portions of the Great Lakes region, accompanied by a risk for damaging wind gusts, hail and some tornadoes.