O’Hare grounded, some Metra trains halted due to heavy rain in Chicago area – NBC Chicago

NOTE: Weather alerts for the Chicago area are available below. Check the latest alerts for your area here.

A ground stop was issued at O’Hare International Airport Monday night and Metra trains on several lines were stopped as severe weather threatening wind gusts of more than 80 mph hit the Chicago area.

Flights to and from O’Hare were suspended until about 9:30 p.m. CT due to thunderstorms, according to the Federal Aviation Commission.

According to Metra, inbound and outbound UPW trains were stopped near West Chicago, and inbound and outbound UPNW trains were stopped near Woodstock, all due to high wind warnings.

“Significant delays are expected. Metra will provide updates as information becomes available,” the service said on social media.

The entire area was placed under a tornado watch earlier Monday night, and a tornado warning was issued for Kane, McHenry and DuPage counties. The watch remains in effect until 1 a.m., while tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings have also been issued across the region.

Storms moving into parts of the region are said to be “capable of producing golf ball-sized hail and winds of 60 mph.”

Just before the alert was issued, the National Weather Service warned that a “destructive storm complex” was moving through northwestern Illinois.

“Have multiple ways to receive warnings tonight and be prepared to seek shelter if a warning is issued for your area,” the agency posted on X.

The Chicago area had already been classified as having a moderate risk of severe weather, with the threat of damaging storms increasing as the system approached.

The moderate risk is level 4 out of 5. Previously, the region was subject to an “enhanced” risk, or level 3 out of 5.

“Severe thunderstorms are expected this evening across parts of the Midwest, central Upper Plains, lower Great Lakes and Arizona. The greatest risk of severe wind gusts is in eastern Iowa, Illinois and Indiana,” the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center said in its update.

Wind speeds of up to 85 mph are possible, with widespread gusts of over 60 mph expected.