Holiday travelers brace for chaos as storms wreak havoc on airports
- Severe weather caused the cancellation and delay of thousands of flights across the United States post-holiday weekend.
- The National Weather Service warned of an expected outbreak of tornadoes, with areas in the South at higher risk.
- Travelers are advised to monitor their flight status due to the continuing threat of bad weather affecting air travel.
In the United States, severe weather significantly affected travel during the post-holiday period, especially from December 26 to December 28, 2024. On Thursday and Friday, a total of more than 18,000 flights were reported as delayed or canceled due to the widespread impact of severe storms, particularly in the South. By Saturday morning, additional delays totaling 2,638 flights and 519 cancellations were recorded. This disruption precluded many holiday travelers from returning home, marking one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The National Weather Service highlighted concerns over a significant tornado outbreak that could develop in parts of southern states, including Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and western Georgia. Tornadic storms, characterized by damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall, were anticipated to hit these areas during the weekend, creating hazardous conditions for anyone traveling. Tornado warnings were prompted due to expectations for long-track tornadoes, especially later on Saturday afternoon, with travel safety severely compromised. The severe weather threat persisted beyond the southern states, extending into Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, which could see similar storm conditions. Although tornadoes are less common in December, reports indicated an above-average number of tornado sightings for the month. With 1,777 tornado reports cited as of December 26, this figure exceeded the usual count significantly. The weather service also warned about potential power outages and difficult travel conditions due to high winds, particularly reported in the Pacific Northwest and Rockies areas, where gusts exceeding 75 mph were possible. As the storms continued to move across regions, the affected areas braced for further severe thunderstorms and hazardous travel. Rough seas and high surf along the California coast were predicted, with waves reaching up to 30 feet, increasing the risk of dangerous conditions for beachgoers. As severe weather impacted various regions, the overall disruption to air travel heightened concern among holiday travelers still seeking to return home. These ongoing weather conditions underscored the importance of monitoring travel arrangements closely during this tumultuous period, where additional delays and cancellations were anticipated due to the unpredictable nature of winter storms.