Forecasters say they are concerned about a cluster of thunderstorms that will race eastward across Mississippi and Alabama Thursday night. The possibility of severe weather stretches across much of the southern United States.

According to Accuweather.com, approximately 60 million people reside within the zone of concern, bracing for potential hazards through Thursday night.

The main risk from these storms is damaging winds. If confidence in this increases, a “high” risk may be introduced for parts of the region later Thursday.

The major metro areas and the airport hubs most likely to be affected by severe weather include Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; Charlotte; Columbia, South Carolina; Atlanta; and Dallas.

While these storms may not match the ferocity seen in the Midwest and Great Plains, there’s still a real danger of tornadoes emerging from the strongest among them.

As the storms erupt, downpours alone can lead to substantial travel delays. Motorists should be alert for changing weather conditions, including rapidly rising water on some area streets, highways and underpasses.