Tornado threat, severe storms head toward Midwest: Latest forecast

Severe storms are bearing down on the Midwest and the Heartland, where tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are in the forecast.

So far, there have been 22 tornado reports across four states -- Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa -- since Monday, with the majority of the reports from Tuesday. Five of those tornadoes have been confirmed -- including an EF1 in Smithville, Missouri, with winds up to 95 mph.

The highest tornado threat is focused on Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. A tornado watch is in effect for parts of the three states through Tuesday evening.

Damaging winds and hail are also in the forecast, and may hit major cities, including Chicago and St. Louis.

On Wednesday, the severe weather moves into the Ohio River Valley and southern Great Lakes.

The highest tornado threat will be in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, including Detroit, Indianapolis and Cleveland.

Severe weather struck the Mid-Atlantic on Monday.

Golf ball-sized hail struck the Washington, D.C., suburbs and winds nearing 70 mph toppled trees in Virginia.