Metra: Be prepared for rain delays
Heavy rain and hail are on the weather menu for this afternoon, and Metra is advising riders to be prepared for a messy commute.
“Weather conditions beyond our control may create unanticipated delays or service disruptions,” officials said in a service advisory.
“Depending on the severity of conditions in specific areas, your train may experience minor delays.”
Commuters should allow for extra time getting home and check for service updates on the agency’s website at http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home.html.
Trains will slow or even stop if the downpour is extreme, spokesman Michael Gillis noted.
“During flash flood warnings and in cases of winds exceeding 50 mph, our trains would operate at reduced speeds for the safety of our passengers,” he said. “In extreme wind conditions, train service could be halted in certain areas. In all such cases, we would attempt to move the train to the nearest station if it is safe to do so.”
The National Weather Service is predicting showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. with the chance of large hail and winds gusting as high as 100 mph. Rain could reach up to 1 inch.
Tonight, showers and thunderstorms will continue with possible hail and high winds.