Thunderstorms causing delays for hundreds of outgoing aircraft at FLL and MIA
Miami (AP/WSVN) During the busy spring break season, severe thunderstorms in South Florida caused delays at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, suspended a well-known electronic music event, and interrupted matches at a prestigious tennis tournament.
The National Airspace System Status indicates that departures at Miami International were delayed for hours on Saturday due to the thunderstorms that raced through South Florida on Friday night.
With 170,000 travelers passing through the airport every day this month, spring break traffic was at an all-time high.
The airport tweeted, “Inclement weather may impair operations on March 23.” “For the most recent flight updates, please contact your airline if you’re traveling.”
At MIA, the average delay as of Saturday afternoon was more than 1.5 hours. 565 planes were reported to be delayed at the airport.
It isn’t just the weather that is affecting flights, according to passenger Amoie Hutchinson, who was struck at MIA on what was meant to be a short connecting trip.
“I got detained here overnight because there were several airline delays due to weather,” she remarked. “I arrived yesterday at 6 p.m. and had a terrible time finding a hotel because, well, there’s a Drake concert and it’s probably spring break.
All the places are reserved or cost about $400, so I had no idea what to expect from the whole thing.
On Saturday, FLL reported 516 flights that were delayed.
Due to lightning and heavy gusts, organizers of the three-day Ultra Music Festival in a downtown Miami park had to turn off the music early on Friday night, with an estimated 55,000 people.
The organizers of Ultra Friday said on social media Friday night, “For your safety, Ultra Friday is temporarily closing down.” “Now please quietly exit the park.”
Winds and rain Additionally, Friday saw a six-hour delay in the start of the day’s tennis matches at the Miami Open before the remainder of the scheduled play washed out early in the evening.
Some of the games that were postponed on Friday must now be played on Saturday due to weather-related disruptions to the schedule.