Ground stop in place at O’Hare Airport for hours due to storms: FAA

A ground stop was in place for several hours Thursday at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport as storms made their way across the region, with an even bigger threat still in store.

O’Hare originally began a ground stop for departures headed to Chicago around 5:30 a.m. The stop was extended several times, leaving it now in place through at least 11:15 a.m. CT. The Federal Aviation Administration warned that timing could still be extended.

The stop includes departures from certain airports to Chicago, while others remain on a “ground delay program” through at least 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, departures from O’Hare were delayed an average of 30 minutes due to the storms.

While morning rain and storms led to heavy downpours across much of the area, the storms weren’t strong enough to reach severe limits. But another wave of storms is expected in the afternoon and evening hours, bringing the potential for “strong tornadoes,” damaging winds and hail.

Much of the region is under either a slight or enhanced risk for severe weather.

See the full forecast here.