Latest Thanksgiving Weather Issues And Travel Delays

Besides an abundance of gifts and food, the holiday season brings with it severe weather for much of the United States that can cause lengthy airport delays. As Americans plan to fly out of town to visit family members, many travelers will wonder how the weather will affect their commute. Luckily, airports across the nation have contingency plans in place that ensure safe travel during inclement weather.

According to the Weather Channel, JFK, LGA, ORD, DEN and SFO are the most weather-delayed airports in the United States. Although they can experience massive delays, these airports enact strict guidelines during storms to clear runways and keep passengers safe.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
New York’s winter weather can be harsh and has been known to disrupt travel. Conversely, inclement weather conditions such as snowstorms and dense fog have caused almost 10,000 weather-related flight delays in 2016, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. During snowstorms, airport crews use snow plows, snow blowers, and runway sweepers to clear snow and ice from the tarmac, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's website.

New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
During the holiday season, LaGuardia Airport, New York’s second primary travel hub, also experiences weather-related issues. One of the main obstacles during a winter storm is ice on the runway, which can cause accidents and delay planes. To clear the runways, airport crews utilize a salt-and-chemical mix that effectively melts ice.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
The Windy City is known for hazardous snow storms, with 42 percent of flights delayed by winter-related issues, according to a 2014 report by Hopper Research on airport weather delays. To minimize a winter storm’s impact, the airport routinely monitors the runways, inspects vehicles, runs friction tests and reviews pilot’s reports. The airport also employs a massive snow removal staff who both drive the snow equipment and guide vehicles, with 384 total motor truck drivers in total, according to Aviation Pros.

Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver is another cold-weather state that experiences inclement weather. Currently, its airport is up 6.2 percent in passenger traffic and aims to ensure safe travel in winter weather. Luckily, the airport showed off its new fleet of snow removal vehicles at its "Snow and Tell" presentation in November. It’s 'airside' team is tasked with maintaining runways, taxiways, ramps, and de-icing platforms. Maintenance crews averaged about 13 minutes to clear a runway last year, according to NBC-affiliate KUSA.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Airports in warm weather states like California can also be impacted by inclement weather like fog and low clouds, which can be heavy during the winter season and cause serious visibility issues. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to combat the fog. Air travel control beefs up communication and ensures pilots have an extra set of eyes on the runway. Planes usually wait it out as flights at the airport can be delayed up to two hours due to heavy rain, wind, and fog, according to the San Francisco Gate.