Heavy rain is in the forecast for Chicago on Friday night, but an earlier threat of severe weather has significantly diminished. A tornado watch had been in effect for most of the Chicago area until 11 p.m., but it was canceled around 9:30 p.m.

Michigan residents should prepare for a potentially stormy Saturday with a high risk of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across multiple regions of the state.

A tornado watch has been issued until 11 p.m. Friday for Cook County and most of northern Illinois. Strong storms are expected to hit the Chicago area between 8 p.m. and midnight, the National Weather Service said.

Isolated to scattered storms are expected this weekend, bringing the potential for localized flooding and occasional gusty winds.

Severe thunderstorms will head east by Saturday, impacting eastern Michigan and parts of northern Indiana. One to two inches of rain is possible as the system tracks east, but some areas could see isolated amounts of three to five inches through the weekend.

Sand and dust storms affect about 330 million people in over 150 countries and are taking an increasing toll on health, economies and the environment.

Forecasters warn that slow-moving storms could bring heavy downpours to already saturated areas, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

A tornado siren blared in Iowa this afternoon as a funnel cloud could be seen in the backdrop of the famed speedway outside Des Moines. NBC News’ Maggie Vespa reports on the severe weather threats facing millions in the Midwest tonight.

Thousands of people were in the path of a dangerous storm that moved through North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon.

A night of concerts in Milwaukee's Veterans Park was called off around 6 p.m. July 11 before Hank Williams Jr., Treaty Oak Revival and more performed.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 73. Southwest wind around 6 mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

The threat of heavy rain is “slight” for this weekend, but with the ground fully saturated in Kerr County even small amounts of rainfall could cause flooding.