Key Takeaways
- Major US airports face ground stops and delays due to severe weather
- Over 1,700 flights delayed nationwide as of Tuesday morning
- 82 million Americans traveling for Thanksgiving face disruptions
- Blizzard conditions expected in Midwest by Wednesday
Thanksgiving travel chaos has gripped the United States as severe weather triggers widespread flight delays and ground stops at seven major airports. With approximately 82 million people traveling this week, Tuesday has become one of the most disrupted travel days in recent memory.
Airport Disruptions Across the Country
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, America’s busiest airport, experienced significant disruptions with more than 260 flights delayed and its air traffic control tower briefly evacuated due to thunderstorms. All departing flights faced average delays of 30 minutes.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced potential ground stops at multiple major hubs:
- San Francisco International Airport (potential stop until midnight)
- New York’s JFK and LaGuardia Airports
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
These precautionary measures are scheduled between 1pm and 5pm ET on Tuesday.
Current Ground Stops and Delays
The FAA already implemented a temporary ground stop at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston Tuesday morning, citing equipment outages and poor weather conditions. Chicago Midway International Airport also briefly halted flights due to ‘low ceilings’ – low cloud conditions that make takeoffs and landings dangerous.
Nearby Chicago O’Hare reported average delays of 30 minutes for the same weather-related issues.
Weather System Impact
A massive coast-to-coast storm system is responsible for the travel disruptions, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds across a vast stretch of the United States from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest.
According to Flight Aware, over 1,700 flights entering or departing from the US had been delayed as of 11:30am ET Tuesday.
AccuWeather warns that the worst disruptions will likely affect major hubs including Chicago O’Hare, St Louis Lambert, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, with hundreds of additional delays expected.
Worsening Conditions Ahead
The situation is expected to deteriorate further, particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham warned: “As the storm in the north-central tier continues into the middle of the week, substantial blowing and drifting snow is forecast in portions of Minnesota and northern Michigan, with an all-out blizzard developing in the vicinity of Lake Superior.”
He added: “Wind gusts over 40 mph could cause airline delays in cities including Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.”
By Wednesday, parts of the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Michigan could see up to 12 inches of snow. Meanwhile, dangerous wind gusts and continuous downpours from Tuesday night into Wednesday may impact flights in New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
The FAA continues to monitor conditions and issue warnings about potential evening ground stops, including additional disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight status updates.
