Chicago Under Tornado Warning As Severe Storms Threaten Midwest
Chicago Under Tornado Warning As Severe Storms Threaten Midwest...
A tornado warning was issued for Chicago and surrounding areas Thursday afternoon as a powerful storm system moved across the Midwest. The National Weather Service confirmed radar-indicated rotation near O'Hare International Airport at 2:15 p.m. CDT, prompting immediate safety alerts for Cook and DuPage counties.
Residents reported hail up to 1 inch in diameter and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph as the storm intensified. Chicago's Office of Emergency Management activated its warning sirens citywide at 2:22 p.m., while the CTA temporarily suspended above-ground train service.
The severe weather comes during an unusually active early tornado season, with 12 confirmed twisters already reported across Illinois this year. Meteorologists attribute the heightened activity to warmer-than-average temperatures and increased moisture in the atmosphere.
Chicago Public Schools implemented shelter-in-place protocols for all buildings. At O'Hare, airlines canceled 47 flights and delayed another 112 as of 3 p.m. according to FlightAware data. The White Sox postponed their scheduled home game against the Tigers.
Emergency management officials urged residents to move to basements or interior rooms on the lowest floor of sturdy buildings. The warning remains in effect until 4 p.m. for northeastern Illinois, with additional storms expected through evening.
This marks the third tornado warning for the Chicago metro area in 2026. Last month, an EF-1 tornado caused $3 million in damage to suburban Naperville. The current system has already produced tornadoes in Iowa earlier Thursday.
Real-time social media posts show residents sharing images of darkening skies and rotating clouds near Midway Airport. The NWS Chicago Twitter account continues to provide updates as the situation develops. Power outages have been reported in west suburban communities including Elmhurst and Lombard.
Local hospitals activated emergency protocols, though no injuries had been reported as of 3:30 p.m. The Illinois State Police closed sections of I-290 due to debris and reduced visibility. Weather spotters confirmed funnel cloud sightings near Schaumburg around 2:45 p.m.
ComEd reported 8,700 customers without power across northern Illinois. The utility company has deployed additional crews in anticipation of further damage. The storm system is expected to move into Indiana by 5 p.m., though flood watches remain for the Chicago area through Friday morning.
