Severe thunderstorms swept across Northern Illinois on Wednesday, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop at both O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport in Chicago. The order, initially expected to remain in effect until at least 4 p.m., has since been lifted, but residual delays continue to affect outbound and inbound flights.
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, the storms brought damaging wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour, along with intense rainfall that impacted visibility and runway operations across the Chicago metropolitan area.
Beyond the airport disruption, the powerful weather system knocked out electricity to thousands of ComEd customers, forcing utility crews to work through the evening to restore service across affected neighborhoods.
The low-pressure system responsible for the disturbance is now moving out of the Great Lakes region, paving the way for a notable weather shift on Thursday. Forecasts indicate cooler, less humid air will settle over Chicago, with afternoon high temperatures expected to reach only the mid-to-upper 70s°F (around 24–26°C).
Air travelers should anticipate ongoing delays, particularly at O’Hare, one of the nation’s busiest hubs, as airlines work to recalibrate schedules following the weather-related disruptions.
