Extensive Delays On Metra As Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued For Chicago
CHICAGO (STMW) -- While high winds prompted extensive delays on several Metra train lines, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Chicago area and surrounding counties Monday morning.
The thunderstorms might produce extreme gusts of wind up to 80 mph, golf ball sized hail and a possible "tornado or two," the weather service said.
If a tornado hits Illinois, it is likely to touchdown in northwest Illinois to the far south and southwest Chicago metro areas, the weather service said.
"There may be a threat for an isolated tornado with this complex," the weather service said. "The next round of potentially more widespread high-end severe weather is expected to unfold mid afternoon through the mid to late evening hours."
A wind warning prompted Metra to halt all inbound and outbound movement on multiple train lines.
Trains were stopped about 5:15 a.m. and 5:20 a.m. on the Union Pacific / North and Union Pacific / Northwest lines, respectively, according to Metra.
Extensive delays were anticipated and customers were encouraged to listen to platform announcements or refer to Rail-Time Tracker located on metrarail.com.
Also, on the Union Pacific / West Line, inbound trains Nos. 16 through 24 were halted, Metra said.
Counties affected by the severe weather warning include Cook, DeKalb, McHenry, Lake, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall and Kankakee, among others, the weather service said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)