Strong thunderstorms disrupt travel and cause power outages as Chicago braces for snow | RADAR Thunderstorms are sweeping through the Chicago area on Sunday, leading to flight cancellations, power outages, and a ground stop at O'Hare International Airport. The severe weather is expected to transition to snow overnight, with 1 to 4 inches of accumulation forecasted for Monday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a ground stop at O'Hare due to thunderstorms, which will remain in effect until 6:45 p.m. Sunday. Departures from the airport face delays averaging 216 minutes, with the disruption expected to last until 11 p.m. As of 2:41 p.m., 785 flights had been canceled at O'Hare, while 106 flights were canceled at Chicago Midway International Airport, with shorter delays. Power outages are also affecting the region, with ComEd reporting over 800 customers without electricity as of 3:15 p.m. The weather has further complicated airport operations, with long lines at TSA checkpoints due to staffing challenges exacerbated by a partial government shutdown. The Chicago Department of Aviation warned that delays may persist throughout Sunday, citing severe weather impacts on flight schedules and extended security wait times. Severe weather alerts cover much of the Chicago area, with Cook County under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 6:15 p.m. and several counties in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin under watches or warnings for thunderstorms and winter storms. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Walworth County, Wisconsin, and Boone County, with additional advisories covering McHenry, Lake, and other counties. Meteorologists highlighted the risks of high winds, flooding, hail, and the possibility of tornadoes. The first wave of thunderstorms began around 9 a.#federal_aviation_administration #chicago #ohare_international_airport #chicago_department_of_aviation #comed
