CHICAGO (WLS) -- There was a threat of storms Thursday night in the Chicago area. There were also record-high temperatures. A Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Warning were in effect for multiple counties in Illinois and northwest Indiana, but they have since expired.

The Chicago area can expect showers and thunderstorms, some of which could be severe, Thursday night. The entire area remains under a tornado watch until 10 p.m., with the threat of large hail and gusty winds, according to the National Weather Service.

More severe storms were expected to roll across the central U.S. this week following the weather-related deaths of more than two dozen people and a devastating Kentucky tornado.

The city reached a record-breaking 93 degrees Thursday, topping the previous May 15 record of 91 degrees set in 1961.

At least 14 people have died in Kentucky and seven more were killed in Missouri -- five of them in the St. Louis area.

Millions of people in the Midwest and Ohio Valley are likely to see increasing chances of severe weather this week after portions of the U.S. were rocked by weeks of deadly storms and flooding.

The Chicago area woke up to a soggy morning Tuesday, with more soaking rain, downpours and scattered showers and even the chance for severe weather through the evening.