Widespread severe weather threatens US

>>> with some of the most severe temperature swings that nature is capable of producing on this planet. they are now under way right now across a big part of our country. and as a result, we are also watching some severe weather very closely, things like tornadoes in january. this will give you some idea of what's going on across the country tonight. in denver, temperatures have just fallen 27 degrees in a day. kansas city , 30 degrees colder. cut bank , montana, 30 degrees colder. in chicago , where it was 63. by thursday, it will be 18. there is an explanation for all of it, but it is a wild 24 hours . we begin with weather channel meteorologist mike seidel , who is out ahead of some of the violent weather in little rock tonight. hey, mike, good evening.

>> reporter: hey, good evening, brian . the big dip in the jetstream, a big kick leading to those unusually warm temperatures today. and also firing up the first widespread severe weather outbreak for tornadoes so far in 2013 . tonight, we have tornado watches in five state, more issued overnight tonight and tomorrow. so far, no twisters reported, just some wind damage. but a long way to go take a look at the record warmth today. kansas city hitting 68 just after midnight. way above average. and in chicago , the coats, the scarves, the gloves came off. yesterday, temperatures were in 40. last week 11 in chicago . 63 set a record. more than 30 degrees above average. back toot forecast for the storms. crossing the mississippi river tonight, keep an eye out in indianapolis and nashville after midnight for dangerous storms, strong wind gusts. by early tomorrow morning in new orleans, where thousands are in town for mardi gras and super bowl , you could be hit with some very rough weather. we will keep you updated. tomorrow, the line crosses the appalachians. atlanta, charlotte, right into d.c. later tomorrow and tomorrow night, new york city the big threat again, straight-line wind damage, gusts over 60, but a few isolated tornadoes. back behind the front and the cold air it is back to rate you winter hits. frigid air, subzero wind chills and des moines , green bay , six inches or more of snow. wind gusts over 30. temperatures in green bay 41 will fall to near zero tomorrow night and windchills down to 20 below zero. brian , one record streak we would lake to continue, 220 days and counting without a tore died in fatality. let's hope it continues that way. brian ?

>> thanks for the update tonight, mike side well an unbelievable turn of events in our weather. he is from little rock tonight.