Tornado Sighted Near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Amidst Midwest Storm Severe storms generating multiple tornadoes swept through the Chicago ar...

 Tornado Sighted Near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport Amidst Midwest Storm

Severe storms generating multiple tornadoes swept through the Chicago area on Monday evening, leading to the issuance of watches, warnings, and urgent advisories for residents to seek immediate shelter.

The National Weather Service reported a "radar confirmed" tornado near Sugar Grove, which was moving into the Aurora area by 9 p.m. Shortly thereafter, another tornado was confirmed near Oswego, moving eastward into Plainfield and southern Naperville.

Numerous other tornadoes were reported as the storms progressed.

"The storm is producing multiple tornadoes simultaneously," stated the National Weather Service.

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport implemented a ground stop, halting all departures until at least 10:30 p.m. due to the tornado threat. Trains on Metra's Union Pacific West and Northwest lines were also halted because of high wind warnings.

As of 9:45 p.m., thousands of power outages were reported across the region.

The Chicago area had been upgraded to a moderate risk of severe weather, reflecting an increased threat of damaging storms before the system's arrival. This moderate risk is classified as a level four out of five, up from the previous "enhanced" risk, which is a level three out of five.

"Severe thunderstorms are expected through this evening across portions of the Midwest, central High Plains, lower Great Lakes, and Arizona. The greatest potential for severe gusts is over eastern Iowa into Illinois and Indiana," the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center stated in its update.

Wind speeds in the area were predicted to reach up to 85 mph, with widespread gusts exceeding 60 mph in the forecast.

The NWS warned that strong to severe thunderstorms were expected to arrive in the area late Monday afternoon and continue into the evening.

"Damaging winds are expected to be the primary severe hazard, though isolated large hail and a few tornadoes will also be possible," the NWS stated in an alert. "Torrential downpours may produce flash flooding."

"Tornadoes are likely along and near the apex of the developing bow," it added.

According to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman, the storms were expected to dissipate overnight, ending around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.