Key Takeaways
- Over 2,300 US flights delayed due to Thanksgiving blizzard
- Chicago O’Hare facing hour-plus delays with ground stop until 10pm ET
- Blizzard conditions expected across Midwest with foot of snow possible
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons may fly lower due to 40mph winds
A massive Thanksgiving blizzard has plunged holiday travel into chaos, disrupting millions of Americans attempting to reach their destinations. Major airports across the United States are experiencing significant delays and cancellations as a powerful winter storm sweeps through the country.
Major Airport Disruptions
The Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a ground delay at Chicago O’Hare International Airport until 10pm ET due to snow and ice accumulation. Departing flights are facing average wait times exceeding one hour, with over 350 delays at O’Hare alone.
According to Flight Aware, more than 2,300 flights entering and exiting the United States have been delayed. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport reported 30-minute departure delays due to strong winds, while Orlando International Airport implemented delays to manage runway volume.
Even airports in cleared weather areas are struggling with the holiday rush. Boston Logan International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the nation’s busiest travel hub, have seen extremely long check-in lines.
Expanding Winter Storm Impact
The blizzard conditions are expected to intensify across several states, including the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Forecasters predict more than a foot of snow may accumulate by Thursday.
AccuWeather has warned that Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit airports will likely continue to be affected by “several inches of snow” through Sunday. Senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski explained, “Even a few inches of snow at major airports such as Chicago O’Hare or Minneapolis-St. Paul can lead to delays and cancellations for travelers heading home.”
He added, “De-icing operations and snow removal on runways can create a domino effect, with disruptions at key hubs leading to delays at airports across the country.”
Proactive FAA Warnings
The FAA has announced potential ground stops at Newark Liberty International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for Wednesday afternoon. These proactive alerts help airlines and travelers prepare for possible delays related to traffic, weather, staffing, or operational factors.
Coast-to-Coast Temperature Plunge
The remnants of the coast-to-coast storm have sent temperatures plunging 15 to 20 degrees throughout half the nation. States from Maine to North Carolina and across the Midwest to Nebraska and Kansas should expect frigid temperatures to persist into Thanksgiving.
In New York, wind gusts up to 40mph could impact the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. AccuWeather lead long-range expert Paul Pastelok stated, “The balloons should be able to fly, but they may be kept closer to the ground. If stronger winds forecast for the afternoon arrive a few hours early, plans to fly the larger balloons could be impacted.”
Pastelok added, “The wind tunnel effect between buildings could make [the winds] feel even stronger in some spots.”
