Topline
Airports in Denver, Atlanta and Dallas were the trouble spots Tuesday, as thousands of flights were delayed due to pockets of bad weather—while chronically congested Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. was under yet another ground stop for several hours.
Key Facts
As of 7:45 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, over 4,500 flights were delayed and more than 200 canceled in and out of U.S. airports, according to FlightAware.
Fog at Denver International Airport early Tuesday afternoon led to an extended ground delay as well as a one-hour ground stop, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was under a ground stop for more than two hours Tuesday afternoon due to thunderstorms.
Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., was under a ground stop for more than two hours Tuesday afternoon due to “airspace volume,” otherwise known as congestion.
U.S. airports racking up triple-digit delays for both departures and arrivals Tuesday included Denver, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare.
Key Background
In the summer, storms in one region of the country can quickly turn into a national air travel problem, which is why experts recommend flying early in the day. Delays tend to mount throughout the afternoon because airlines reuse planes and crews for multiple flights, and a delay early in the day can lead to a domino effect later on. “Flights that go out earlier in the day are less likely to hang up, and that’s particularly true in the summertime,” John Cox, retired commercial airline pilot and aviation safety expert, told Forbes. On Monday, FlightAware reported 7,688 flight delays in U.S. airspace, representing approximately 17% of all flights for the day.
Where Are Severe Thunderstorms Forecast Tuesday?
The National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday includes a “slight” risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast. A severe thunderstorm warning, including 60 mph wind gusts, was issued mid-afternoon for parts of southeastern Alabama.
Further Reading
Memorial Day Travel Woes: More Than 4,300 Flights Delayed As Severe Thunderstorms Cause Disruptions (Forbes)