The "perfect storm" of hazardous weather conditions and thousands of vacation travelers returning back to the Bay Area caused major flight delays at SFO Saturday, with even more delays (and cancellations) expected today.
As KPIX reported earlier this morning, the FAA reported cringy travel delays yesterday, some flyers waiting more than four-and-a-half hours to take off in the Bay Area, as well as the Midwest and along the East Coast.
Due to WEATHER/WIND traffic mgmt prgrm causing some arriving flight delays averaging 4 hours and 32 minutes. #SFO
— SFO Flight Delays (@FlyFAA_SFO) December 1, 2019
Recent strong winds and torrential rains caused a "ground control delay" to be placed in effect at SFO Saturday morning and afternoon. On the other side of the country, the recent blanket of two winter storm systems caused a fair amount of post-TSA headaches, too. According to FlightAware, more than 7,057 U.S. flights were delayed yesterday around the country, including 850 domestic cancellations.
The latest snow and ice accumulation forecasts for the upcoming storm across the Eastern US. pic.twitter.com/efYxTJANZB
— NWS Eastern Region (@NWSEastern) December 1, 2019
Per the National Weather Service (NWS), the past day has seen well over 2 inches of rainfall in Novato, Stana Rosa, and Kentfield; a staggering 4.72 inches flooded Vernando. And, as we reported earlier last week, the deluges are far from over, with rainfall forecasted throughout Saturday.
(Alas, it's quite possible we're in for more flight delays this coming week.)
So, these delays are being driven by air traffic control restrictions in SFO :( It's an issue for 2 flights ahead of yours for the aircraft. -Carrie
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) December 1, 2019
Last week's winter storm warning still remains in effect for Tahoe till tomorrow night at 6 p.m. for regions above 6,000 feet; the Bay Area's Pacific-facing coastlines, while now not under any high-wind advisories, are still experiencing strong gusts of wind. Currently, some 258 flights have been delayed and another 145 canceled, KRON4 says.
If you’re heading out of SFO or picking up family and friends, make sure to check relevant flight information at flysfo.com/flight-info/flight-status to ensure your (or someone else’s) flight is on-time...or still scheduled to take off.
Related: Get Ready For a Solid Week of Rain
Image: Reddit via u/raininginsf