Travel chaos as ground stops, delays hit major airports days before Thanksgiving…

Multiple ground stops and delays at America’s busiest airports are beginning to upend the chaotic Thanksgiving travel week. Due to thunderstorms from a coast-to-coast weather system moving across the US, all flights departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have been delayed by an average of 30 minutes. The air traffic control tower was evacuated due to the storm, prompting a ground stop during the busy Thanksgiving rush at America’s busiest travel hub. As of 11. 30am ET, more than 260 flights were delayed there. Meanwhile, a potential ground stop was forecast at San Francisco International Airport lasting until midnight, but no official announcement or delays are in place at the moment. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Chicago O’Hare may see ground stops starting between 1pm and 5pm ET on Tuesday, according to the agency. Approximately 82 million people are expected to travel at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving, with Tuesday among the busiest days for Americans visiting family and friends this week. The list of potential disruptions or delays at these airports is based on FAA forecasts for problematic traffic, weather, staffing, or other operational factors. The warnings are proactive alerts to help airlines, pilots, and travelers prepare for delays, but they are not guaranteed to occur. The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston Tuesday morning due to both equipment outages and poor weather conditions. Chicago Midway International Airport briefly halted flights because of ‘low ceilings,’ meaning low clouds have made it harder for pilots to take off and land safely. Delays averaging around 30 minutes have been reported at nearby Chicago O’Hare International Airport for the same reason. The travel chaos is expected to get even worse, with the FAA already warning of potential ground stops into the evening, including at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta. Meteorologists have noted that Tuesday will be the storm’s busiest day, as it spreads heavy rain, gusty winds, and some thunderstorms across a huge stretch of the US, from the Gulf Coast and Southeast to the Midwest. AccuWeather added that the worst headaches will likely cause hundreds of flight delays at major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, St Louis Lambert and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. As of 11. 30am, more than 1, 700 flights entering or departing from the US have been delayed, according to FlightAware. Conditions for travelers in the Northeast and Great Lakes region are expected to deteriorate on Tuesday, with some areas seeing an ‘all-out blizzard’ by Thanksgiving. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said: ‘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. ‘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 are predicted to see up to 12 inches of snow. Meanwhile, dangerous wind gusts and continuous downpours on Tuesday night into Wednesday could impact flights in New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15325021