United States Severe Weather Triggers Tornado Warning for Chicago Area and Airport Ground Stops
The National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings across the Midwest and Appalachia on Tuesday as United States severe weather unfolded, with a tornado warning also active for the Chicago metro area that prompted a ground stop at O’Hare International Airport.
Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Kentucky and West Virginia
The National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky, issued a severe thunderstorm warning for south central Martin County in northeastern Kentucky and northeastern Pike County in southeastern Kentucky until 2:15 p.m. EDT. [1] At 1:44 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Man to Belfry to Heenan, moving southeast at 35 mph. [1] The hazard included 60 mph wind gusts indicated by radar, with expected impacts of damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1] The National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia, issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Mingo County in southern West Virginia, western Raleigh County in southeastern West Virginia, Wyoming County in southern West Virginia, Logan County in southern West Virginia, south central Wayne County in western West Virginia, and southeastern Boone County in central West Virginia until 2:15 p.m. EDT. [5] At 1:32 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending across those areas. [5] These warnings formed part of the broader United States severe weather pattern affecting Appalachia with consistent radar-indicated threats.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Across Northeastern Indiana
The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Allen County in northeastern Indiana and De Kalb County in northeastern Indiana until 2:30 p.m. EDT. [4] At 1:38 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Rome City to near Columbia City to near Huntington, moving east at 55 mph. [4] The hazard included 60 mph wind gusts indicated by radar, with expected impacts of damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [4] Locations impacted included Kendallville, Columbia City, Ligonier, Lagrange, Tri-lakes, Avilla, Albion, Churubusco, Rome City, Topeka, Swan, Etna, Wolcottville, Cromwell, Larwill, Brimfield, Honeyville, and additional communities in the path. [2] A separate severe thunderstorm warning covered Lagrange County in northeastern Indiana, with storms at 1:44 p.m. EDT located along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Rome City to near Avilla to 9 miles southeast of Columbia City, moving east at 60 mph. [2] The hazard again featured 60 mph wind gusts indicated by radar and expected damage to roofs, siding, and trees across the listed communities. [2] These alerts highlighted the rapid eastward progression of the line of storms within the United States severe weather event.
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Tornado Warning and Thunderstorm Watch for Chicago Area
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the Chicago area covering Will, DuPage, Cook, and Lake counties until mid-morning. [3] A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 2 p.m. for northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. [3] Meteorologist Kevin Donofrio with the NWS Chicago station reported a system of thunderstorms moving across the Mississippi River and advancing into Illinois. [3] The storms were anticipated to arrive in Chicago during the late morning hours between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. [3] At approximately 10:30 a.m., warning sirens sounded in various neighborhoods of Chicago. [3] By 11:05 a.m., the most intense storms were situated in the southwest suburbs and northwest Indiana, while powerful storms traversing Chicago moved across Lake Michigan. [3]
Flight Ground Stops at O’Hare and Midway Airports
Due to the storms, departures from O’Hare International Airport were halted with a ground stop in place until at least 11:15 a.m., as announced by the Federal Aviation Administration, though it could be prolonged. [3] The Federal Aviation Administration also implemented a ground stop at Midway Airport until 11:30 a.m. [3] These operational impacts stemmed directly from the tornado warning and associated severe thunderstorm activity in the Chicago metro area.
Forecast Wind Speeds, Rainfall, and Safety Advice
Meteorologists reported wind gusts already exceeding 60 mph that could intensify to 70-80 mph. [3] Kevin Donofrio stated that the winds from the storm can be as strong as those produced by a tornado. [3] People were advised to prepare for potential power outages and significant rainfall. [3] The storms had the potential to generate damaging winds exceeding 75 mph, which could result in heavy rainfall and flooding concerns. [3] Residents were advised to take refuge in a basement or an interior room. [3]
What to watch next: Continued monitoring of the line of severe thunderstorms moving through the affected counties with risks of 60 mph wind gusts and potential intensification remains key as the severe thunderstorm watch stays active until 2 p.m. for northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
