Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
This is an unusual situation that I feel must be addressed. A severe thunderstorm developed north of ORD and moved directly over the field. Even though our weather equipment showed numerous micro-bursts in the cell up to 45 KTS; arrivals for all 3 west runways continued to be used; mainly 28 and 27L. Instead of holding aircraft until the storm passed; aircraft were sent directly into this cell. When the micro-bursts hit the field; wind went from 270 at less than 15 to 010-140 gusts to 45 KTS. It was bad enough that one aircraft had to try and make an approach; but a total of 8 or 9 were sent directly into this storm and made missed approaches before other aircraft were taken off the approach. This was a total failure by the FLM to recognize the danger and to avoid putting many lives at risk. This was by far the most hazardous situation I have seen. I have seen plenty of storms but none handled with such incompetence. A full investigation should be conducted including all weather data.
C90 Controller described a severe weather event including numerous microbursts; the reporter questioning the FLM's decision to not initiate holding sooner.