Those traveling in the northern states and Canada might be hit by an unexpected ‘bomb’ winter storm, as rapid depressurization builds. Two low-pressure systems are curving across the continent, with a vast storm closing flights in Northern California and another hitting the northeast states.
What are the details?
Two vast weather systems are currently wreaking havoc across North America, canceling hundreds of flights and causing plenty to delay their travel plans.
Because of the nature of these two storm fronts, it is possible that the storm might ‘explode’ and expand rapidly across the continent and cause chaos to those looking to travel over the weekend, onto Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
A #GOESEast and #GOESWest combo visual of two #winterstorms shows how they will making travel conditions difficult to impossible for the #Thanksgiving holiday. Also, #WindGusts in NYC may keep Macy’s #ThanksgivingDayParade balloons from flying. More: https://t.co/tjxjrjzA00 pic.twitter.com/Hke1BZFK8L
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) 27 November 2019
This bomb cyclone could hit California and the Oregon coast, bringing high winds and plenty of rain. This rain may turn into snow as it passes over the mountains and fall as far as Texas, as reported by The Daily Mail.
What cancellations have there been?
In the north, the city of Minneapolis had nine inches of snow cover, which caused the airport to cancel 35 flights and delay another sixty. Passengers whose flights are not canceled are experiencing delays up to around an hour.
Delta Air Lines has put more staff on deck to help deice aircraft and manage these delays for their customers.
At Chicago’s O’Hare airport nearby, passengers are experiencing a delay of around 30 minutes, with delays expected to rise as conditions worsen.
But some would say that they had it lucky, with power going out at Denver International Airport leaving thousands stranded overnight, with 491 flights canceled and more than 700 were delayed. Southwest, who operates regular services to the airport had to cancel over 200 flights. Roughly 1,100 people had to stay overnight at Denver and nearby Colorado Springs airport. The airports have since reopened.
These types of situations with so many canceled flights are hard to rectify, because it is almost impossible to put on extra flights, nor give passengers tickets for the few remaining flights that haven’t been canceled.
In the west Oakland International Airport also suffered a power outage that shut down its security checkpoint. It delayed flights by around 30 minutes and caused a few diversions as aircraft could not land.
🔀 DIVERSIONS POWER OUTAGE
Many inbound flights to Oakland Airport holding or diverting. Airport lost power. Backup generators providing some power. Many outbound flights are delayed. Heavy rain/poor weather also causing issues. #OaklandAirport pic.twitter.com/lU5hRfCr47— Tom Podolec Aviation (@TomPodolec) November 27, 2019
And nearby San Fransisco Airport was not an option either, with the FAA imposing a ground ban due to the high winds which cut the arrivals by half. This delayed over 700 flights.
Overall this time of year is a minefield for those trying to travel, dodging storms and other calamities. We wish those readers in North America a happy thanksgiving and to get home safe.
What do you think of these two storms? Have you been caught by the weather? Let us know in the comments.
