A powerful storm system is set to bring multiple rounds of dangerous severe thunderstorms, with numerous strong tornadoes possible, from the Midwest to the Southeast beginning Friday. Why it matters: "Today may end up as one of the more prolific severe weather outbreaks in recent memory" in the region,

Severe weather warnings remain in place throughout the weekend as extreme conditions, including a tornado outbreak, threatens the South.

Thousands of power outages were reported Saturday as a deadly severe weather outbreak moved across the Midwest and South.

At least 12 fatalities have been reported in Missouri, according to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. The deaths come as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires.

The most fatalities as of Saturday morning were in Missouri, authorities said, with an estimated 11 people killed.