A potent severe threat will develop across parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening, while record highs continue to be set in Texas. The Breakfast Brief is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The WeatherRadar shows storms erupting across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Cincinnati will be at risk for damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. A few strong tornadoes (EF-2 ) will be possible.

Scattered showers and storms across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are also forecast today. People in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh may reach for the umbrella today.

Rain and mountain snow will move from the northern Rockies into the northern Plains. Cooler-than-average temperatures will continue for much of the western third of the U.S. and the northern Plains.

The heat wave in the southern Plains continues, with triple-digit temperatures across South Texas. Once again, record highs will be possible in Texas cities such as Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. This heat wave will continue in Texas through the weekend and next week.

Highs will also surge into the 90s in cities like Chicago, Peoria, Ill., Springfield, Mo., and Shreveport, La. Record highs may also be set in these cities today.

When severe weather is in your forecast, you can be prepared. Follow along with these tools to stay weather-aware.