Severe weather alerts have been issued for much of Minnesota and the surrounding Plains and Midwest, with the potential for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and damaging winds expected to impact major cities. On Thursday, conditions are forecasted to escalate with risks of strong storms, including the possibility of baseball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph. The National Weather Service has declared a Weather Alert Day, advising residents to be prepared for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding into Friday night. Safety tips are being shared to help individuals prepare for the potential dangers posed by these weather events. As the week progresses, the severe weather threat is set to continue, impacting not only the Midwest but also the East Coast.