At least 1 dead in Iowa as Midwest deals with another round of severe storms

Severe thunderstorms turned deadly in Iowa on Tuesday afternoon, as the Midwest and upper Great Lakes deal with another round of possible tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.

The system unleashed on Adams County in Iowa, and the sheriff’s office confirmed that at least one person had died in a weather-related incident. Officials did not provide additional details.

As many as 51 million people are at risk for severe storms Tuesday from Texas to Michigan, with storms already underway across Nebraska and Iowa. Storms are expected to continue into Wednesday, affecting 42 million people from central Texas to western New York.

The outbreak of storms is forecast to pass through Iowa, northwestern Illinois, northern Missouri, southwestern Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.

The greatest hazards include widespread damaging winds — including some that could reach hurricane force — several tornadoes and possible baseball-sized hail.

Golf-ball size hail was reported on Tuesday in Mahaska County, Iowa.

A tornado watch went into effect for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on Tuesday afternoon. A tornado watch considered a "particularly dangerous situation" was issued for most of Iowa, southern Minnesota and western Illinois.

Under that watch, the storm center warned of primary threats including winds and isolated gusts of up to 90 mph. Additional tornado watches may be issued as the dangerous squall line expands and intensifies.

Gusts of 70 mph were recorded in Adair County, Iowa.

The weather service office of Chicago also warned of the outbreak of storms and threats possible through the evening. In Chicago, the highest severe weather risk will be from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

"With the threat for severe thunderstorms late into the night tonight, make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings, including at least a couple that will wake you up if needed. DO NOT rely on outdoor sirens to alert you indoors, especially while you’re asleep!" the office warned locals.

Heavy rain may also lead to scattered cases of flash flooding Tuesday night across the upper Midwest. The system will then move into southern Canada by Wednesday morning.

Elsewhere Tuesday, temperatures are expected to soar above average — and potentially into record-breaking territory in certain areas, according to the weather service. Highs into the 80s and low 90s are forecast from the Midwest and the Deep South to the Northeast through Wednesday.

Extreme heat is also forecast to continue in parts of already sweltering Texas, and posing risks for the Houston area, which was struck by severe storms last week that killed at least eight people, and where about 140,000 customers remain without power in Harris County, according to PowerOutage.Us.

An advisory is in place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday in southern Texas cities such as Brownsville, McAllen and Rio Grande City, with heat index values up to 114 expected.

The advisory said “heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events,” and locals are warned to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air conditioned room, avoid the sun, check on relatives and neighbors, and reduce outdoor work.

Another heat advisory issued by the weather service office of Midland/Odessa in Texas warned of temperatures as high as 111 anticipated in Lower Brewster County through 7 p.m.

“Look before you lock! Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles for even a moment. Car interiors will very quickly reach lethal temperatures,” the advisory said.

Come Wednesday, 38 million people will be at risk of storms from central Texas to upstate New York, with large hail, damaging winds and a strong tornado all possible. The hardest-hit areas are forecast to be central Texas to Missouri.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com