Weather accounts for over 75% of flight delays, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) If weather conditions don’t improve, flights will eventually be canceled. Common weather patterns, including thunderstorms and bolts, can lead to severe turbulence and limited visibility.
This guide reviews some of the most common weather events that lead to delays or cancellations. We’ll also review tips travelers can use to better accommodate flying despite inclement weather. Finally, we will review how data-backed weather predictions can lead to smoother travel and fewer airport cancellations.
Bad Weather Events That Cause Flight Delays
Four common weather-related events cause the most common weather delays and cancellations: thunder and lightning storms, high winds, massive snow and ice, and dense fog. These are among the most common causes of flight disruptions.
Thunderstorms and Lightning
Thunderstorms are very dangerous to aircraft travel. They can cause updrafts, downdrafts, and high turbulence. Unexpected thunderstorms often lead to pilots taking an alternative route around the inclement weather, thus leading to further delays or cancellations. Additionally, multiple planes rerouting can lead to overcrowded airspace.
Thunderstorms and hail may cause unexpected wind shear and microbursts of winds that cause serious turbulence issues. While some turbulence is expected during air travel, too much can be risky. Severe turbulence can cause plane damage, sometimes structurally. It can also be dangerous for passengers, often leading to injury.
Lightning is another concern with thunderstorms. While it won’t typically harm the plane when in the air, it can make takeoff and landing dangerous for ground crew and passengers. Planes may need to reroute to nearby airports or be forced to wait for improved ground conditions.
High Winds
Today’s planes are designed with high-strength, extremely durable materials that can easily withstand high winds. However, unexpected bursts of wind can make controlling the plane more difficult for pilots. Some draft is expected during plane travel, but crosswinds or high wind speeds can shift the plane’s intended path, causing serious issues.
Most airports are designed to accommodate varying wind direction paths, but sometimes bad weather comes along that still makes air travel more dangerous. Wind speed and direction most commonly affect aircraft’s safe takeoffs and landings.
Planes typically overcome high winds by landing and taking off directly into the wind’s direction. Some airports may have alternate runways that accommodate the unexpected draft patterns, but this often leads to flight delays.
Wind speed and type can also affect how fast a plane travels through the air. Headwinds travel in the opposite direction, often slowing down flight plans. Tailwinds travel in the same direction as the plane, sometimes leading to faster arrivals.
Heavy Snow and Ice
Heavy snow and ice are among the weather delays affecting ground and airplane travel. Snow and ice on the ground create slippery conditions that make airport runways unsafe, and pilots may struggle to maintain control when they land on a slippery surface.
During air travel, accumulated ice on the wings can impact the aircraft’s performance. Ice increases the plane’s weight, often creating an uneven balance. Airports frequently attempt to overcome massive snow and ice conditions by clearing ice and snow before the aircraft is cleared to fly. Once in the air, most airplanes have de-icing equipment.
Freezing rain, however, can be a concern for some planes as it can lead to the rapid build-up of ice on the aircraft.
Dense Fog
Good visibility is important, especially during takeoff and landing. Dense fog due to low clouds or heavy rain could lead to an air delay, sometimes leading to cancellations of future flight plans.
Most of today’s air carriers have planes equipped with autopilot and GPS tools, which help with in-air travel during low visibility. However, once the plane reaches the ground, sufficient visibility is important.
Airports measure visibility during foggy conditions using the Runway Visual Range. If visibility is too low, air traffic controllers will enact Low Visibility Procedures (LVPS). LVPs typically include fewer planes being cleared for landing or takeoff.
Low clouds and dense fog can also impact air traffic control responsibilities. When clearing planes to land or take off, aircraft controllers factor in almost all weather conditions. If controllers cannot see clearly, they may delay all other flights.
Severe Weather-Related Delays
Other less common weather-related delays include the following.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures can affect a plane’s performance, whether due to freezing conditions or excessive heat. High heat leads to thinner air, which affects how well the airplane engine works. During higher heat, planes also need a longer runway distance for safe takeoff and landing.
Freezing rain and ice increase the plane’s weight, sometimes leading to uneven air travel and landings. Most airports require deicing practices before flights are cleared for take off. Limited de-icing stations and personnel can lead to airport delays or cancellations.
Volcanic Ash Clouds
Flights traveling through volcanic landscapes could face hazardous conditions due to ash clouds. Ash clouds can cause significant damage to airplanes, including engine failure or structural damage.
The thickened texture of ash and soot also reduces aircraft visibility to zero. Air traffic is typically rerouted around active volcanoes, which often leads to large-scale disruptions in air travel.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
The high winds and heavy rain present during tropical storms and hurricanes typically lead to most flight cancellations. Hurricanes also cause most weather delays and cancellations since nearby airlines may also be closed. Additionally, flights will sometimes need to be rerouted around the storm’s path, causing widespread flight disruptions.
Aircraft can sometimes travel around hurricanes since they are much lower to the ground than thunderstorms. Some airplanes may also be able to travel above them, but the ability to take off or land in hurricane conditions isn’t considered safe.
How Airlines and Airports Respond to Flight Weather Delays
Grounding flights for safety, delaying flights in hopes of improvement, diverting flights to alternate airports, communicating with passengers, and providing updates
Airlines have a few options available when dealing with weather delays. Most airports have constant monitoring protocols that help them predict and react quickly quickly to weather delays. However, with unpredictable weather patterns, choosing the right response is sometimes a guess.
Airlines may ground all flights during extreme weather problems. In some cases, the grounding may be short-lived, such as during lightning storms. Flight delays can be ordered when weather problems are expected to improve shortly.
Flights may also be rerouted to alternate airports if adverse weather isn’t expected to improve in the short term. Clear, frequent communication is a top priority to keep passengers informed, regardless of the situation, as customer satisfaction is closely correlated with providing detailed information.
Tips for Travelers Dealing with Weather-Related Cancellations
Weather delays and cancellations can be frustrating for a traveler, especially when conditions in your current location are sunny and clear. Inclement weather in other parts of the country or world can impact flight schedules for the whole airline for the next 24-48 hours.
Here are a few tips for travelers related to weather-related cancellations:
- Stay informed about weather forecasts: Staying informed of expected weather conditions, not only at your departing location but also at your arrival, helps you predict potential weather impacts to flying.
- Check flight status before heading to the airport: Most weather delays are known at least a few hours before the intended departure time. Getting into the habit of checking your flight status before heading to the airport can make it easier to accommodate last-minute itinerary changes.
- Always have a backup plan: When traveling via aircraft, always have a backup plan. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination while also accounting for potential delays.
- Know the airline’s policy: Knowing the airline’s policy for weather-related changes can make flying easier. Find out ahead of time what your re-booking options are and if the airline owes you any compensation.
- Stay patient: Airline travel is largely dependent on weather. Staying patient can make flying more convenient.
Staying Ahead of Flight Schedule With Accurate Weather Data
Data-backed weather predictions that use historical information can help you stay ahead of flight schedules. Understanding potential ice storms during the winter months or tropical storm activity in the southern states offers a more seamless travel experience.
Airport and air traffic personnel can benefit from better weather API tools that help predict weather forecasts more accurately. With the right data, even airline staff can prepare for weather changes. Access to analytical information means safer flights, more convenient scheduling, and more satisfied passengers. Visual Crossing leads the industry in weather data collection and analysis. With the right information at your fingertips, flying despite weather conditions is easy. Sign up for a Visual Crossing account today to access the most accurate and affordable weather data.