Storms across Chicago area cause 100 flight cancellations

Thunderstorms across the Chicago area Friday evening caused more than 100 flight cancellations and are expected last through the evening.

Airlines had canceled more than 100 flights at O’Hare International Airport, where flights were also experiencing hourlong delays, the city’s Dept. of Aviation said at 5 p.m. Midway International Airport reported no cancellations but “some delays.”

Radar images from the National Weather Service at 6:30 p.m. showed showers and thunderstorms in progress across the entire metropolitan area and Northwest Indiana, including Gary.

Storms in Chicago started in the late afternoon and could last until midnight, according to NWS.

While severe weather is not expected (threat level is moderate), a few of the storms across the area could produce wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel-sized hail, NWS said. Isolated storms could drop between 1-2 inches of rain and bring cloud-to-ground lightning.

The heavy rainfall could cause some flooding, especially in low-lying spots around Chicago, NWS said.

Rain is expected to continue through Saturday and Saturday night, with thunderstorms expected to return later Sunday and into Monday. Highs are expected to be 65 on Saturday, 72 on Sunday and 75 on Monday, with lows around 60 tonight and 50 Saturday night.