Environment

More snow expected for the US; airports gearing up for delays

by Amy Judd | December 20, 2008 at 02:44 pm

452 views | 2 Recommendations | 3 comments

More snow and cold weather is expected for the central part of the United States today, interupting travel plans and forcing airports to close.

Minneapolis International Airport has delays of about three hours on most flights, Portland airport (Pdx Airport) is currently open, but travelers are advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

Winds have started to get stronger and snow is starting to fall in Wisconsin, and local police are warning everyone to stay off the roads. A winter storm warning is in effect for Wisconsin, and this is only the beginning of the severe weather expected to hit the states tonight and tomorrow.

Other airports are gearing up for extensive delays, especially those in the central part of the US as a storm is expected to dump about 3 to 5 inches over the region, with as much as half a foot expected in some areas.

Blizzard warnings have been issued to parts of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.

Temperatures cold drop to as low as minus 20s and 30s in parts of Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.

A mix of snow and rain is expected for the Pacific Northwest and rain and snow showers for California.

Farther south, the rest of the Plains was forecast to receive clouds and possibly a few rains showers during the day.

The Northeast was to start the day with rain and snow. The precipitation was to taper off across in the afternoon and evening, but the clouds were to linger.

Showers and thunderstorms were forecast for the the Southeast, except for Florida, which was expecting mostly clear skies during the day. Warm conditions were expected throughout the region, with highs in the 70s.

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josiemitchell

at 14:52 on December 20th, 2008

I was in Seattle's SeaTac Airport this last Thursday and while I was waiting in line for 2 hours to rearrange my flight schedule due to the snow I saw two cases of people flipping out. One was cussing on their phone, loudly and in the presence of small children. The other while talking to an airline employee threw her book on the ground and stormed away from the ticket counter. Tensions were running high!

Amy Judd

at 15:14 on December 20th, 2008

wow - I always think it's amusing when people get mad at the airport staff; as if they can do anything about the weather!

News Review (not verified)

at 10:22 on December 22nd, 2008

Wow.. the people's patience are really tested by such kinds of circumstances.. Maybe they should learn to be more patient.. It's the weather's fault, not the airport's.