Current US Airport Delays December 19th 2009: Snow Storm East US

by Amy Judd | December 19, 2009 at 09:10 am

8980 views | 46 Recommendations | 14 comments

Much of the eastern seaboard of the United States woke up to a blanket of snow this morning, and a major snowstorm in New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia, Philadelphia, and some other parts of the country are causing major travel delays for people trying to get home for the holidays.

Washington DC, Dulles International airport (IAD) was closed due to severe weather conditions and snow. However, it has opened again, but according to the airport website, very few flights are still operating today so check directly with your airline if you are flying today or early tomorrow.

Teterboro (TEB) New Jersey Airport is experiencing delays above 45 mins at this time and some waits are up to six hours.

Philadelphia International Airport is experiencing delays of about 6 hours due to the snow.

At LaGuardia and JFK, there were more than 200 scrubbed flights, though American Airlines and Southwest are still flying out. At Newark there's been 350 canceled flights. Of course, all cancellations are depending on weather so experts suggest checking with your carrier if you have plans to fly.

Atlantic City Airport is experiencing minor delays at this point, but if the snow continues, the delays could get worse.

Reagan National Airport has now canceled all of their flights today until 6am tomorrow due to the weather and they have closed all runways. There are also no metro services operating to and from the airport due to snow.

About 20 inches of snow could fall in New Jersey by Sunday and people not traveling by air, but by car, are being advised to only travel if they have to, to use their snow tires and to take it slow. There are speed restrictions on the New Jersey Turnpike from the Deleware Memorial Bridge to Interchange 8 at Route 33.

In West Virginia road conditions (WV Dot) are also poor. You can call 1-877-WVA-ROAD for road updates at any time.

In North Carolina Interstate 40 is very slow moving as it is covered in snow and ice. I-40 is down to one lane at exit 37, and U.S 19 is at a standsill in northern Buncombe County. The traffic is also at a standstill at the Flat Creek. In South Carolina there is intense flooding but the road conditions are better.

The storm is only expected to get worse in many areas. There are also high winds in many areas, with some up to 25mph and that causes drifting snow and poor visibility. There are storm warnings in effect from North Carolina to southern New England.

Those planning to fly out of regional airports on Saturday or pick up passengers there were urged to contact their carriers before leaving their homes.

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Barry ORegan

at 10:13 on December 19th, 2009

Having just come back from Edmonton BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 15:16 on December 19th, 2009

Minus 2c here today Barry, you just came a week too early :)

dfndr13

at 14:29 on December 19th, 2009

As of this afternoon KDCA Reagan National in DC was NOTAMd closed. The rumor is that it will no re-open before 0600 EST on Sunday morning.

Baltimore (KBWI) is also NOTAMd closed as of 1727 EST and they have been closing on and off throughout the day for snow removal.

Dulles (KIAD) is alternating closing runways for snow removal, but so far the airport remains open. With the reduced traffic due to massive airline cancellations, this is helping them actually received some aircraft if the winds, visibility and the ceilings will allow it.

Amy Judd

at 14:39 on December 19th, 2009

Here's an updated piece about Reagan Airport. Dulles Airport was closed earlier today but they are now operating some flights, although their website says most are going to remain canceled until tomorrow.

Thanks for your updates!

dfndr13

at 14:46 on December 19th, 2009

Reported storm totals at the airports:

Washington Dulles (KIAD) had over 15 inches as of 5pm EST

Baltimore (KBWI) had over 11 inches as of 5pm EST

Reagan National (KDCA) had over 14 inches as of 4pm EST

Amy Judd

at 14:54 on December 19th, 2009

Wow, that is a lot of snow... thanks!

dfndr13

at 15:06 on December 19th, 2009

I see people driving all over the place from my window and I wonder, "what could be that important?" Just hanging out inside waiting for the snow to stop, sometime tomorrow morning, then wait for the plows to catch up before I venture out.

Amy Judd

at 15:21 on December 19th, 2009

Yes I wouldn't be going out in it either!

dfndr13

at 15:21 on December 19th, 2009

Washington Dulles is now closed until at least Midnight EST, but are telling people not to expect it to reopen before tomorrow morning. They were keeping up with the runways, but apparently they couldn't keep up with the rest of the airport as well. They have been getting 1 inch per hour for the last three hours which brings their total to over 16 inches.

caj1

at 15:52 on December 19th, 2009

This snow storm will probably set a record for a storm in Philadelphia in December since the process of recording total snowfall amounts was started in the late 1800s! It's cold and very difficult driving. Don't go out in a car until the roads are cleared!

Pascagoula (not verified)

at 20:17 on December 19th, 2009

How long do you think it will be until the roads are clear enough for travelers to head home on the interstate?

dfndr13

at 21:08 on December 19th, 2009

It finally stopped snowing here in the past hour near Dulles INTL airport in northern Virginia. Considering the amount of snow that fell in out area, over 17 inches, I would give the road crews at least 12 hours before getting on the road. The less cars they have to dodge, the better job they can do. Stay safe.

Richard Zentz (not verified)

at 13:22 on December 21st, 2009

Currently the Missouri Department of Transportation is installing a new system in their bridge decks that will prevent them from freezing and allowing the build up of snow or ice. How much better if airport runways had this system in them. There are numerous press releases available for your review from the Missouri Department of Transportation. This system utilizes solar power, a renewable energy source. Call me at 816.719.7351 to find out more or visit our website at www.paveguardtech.com

dfndr13

at 15:22 on December 21st, 2009

Interesting concept, but I think there is a huge difference between a bridge deck built to support 80,000 pound semi-trucks versus airport pavement surfaces at places like Dulles International which have to be able to support Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s which have max gross take off weights near 1,000,000 pounds. As a result, tearing up and rebuilding the entire runway as well as ramp and taxiway areas would most likely be cost prohibitive.