I flew into O'Hare in the 1980's and our plane has to circle the airport for nearly an hour while a severe weather system cleared out of the area. Outside the windows we could see other planes lined up and circling like lost birds. Lightning was flashing all around the plane and the clouds would turn bright pink when another blast went off.
Hint: Severe weather near Chicago may be avoided by taking another airline.
"Ya don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows...." Heheheh. Yup. I remember.
I'll never fly through Chicago again. If need be, I'll go through Atlanta, even if it's longer.