Severe thunderstorms swept across Texas on Thursday, causing significant disruption to holiday travel, particularly at major airports. More than 100 flights faced delays or cancellations at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport alone, with additional disruptions reported at Dallas Love Field and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
According to FlightAware, which tracks flight operations globally, nearly 90 flights were delayed early Thursday morning, with dozens more experiencing cancellations later as the storm systems progressed. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued warnings for potential severe weather, forecasting strong winds, hail, and possible tornadoes.
The stormy weather posed heightened risks, particularly between Houston and areas of southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. Meteorologist Brian Hurley from the NWS explained, "There does look like the possibility of one or a few tornadoes with this risk, but the main risk will be with high winds and hail." He anticipated wind gusts ranging from 60 to 80 mph, along with hail exceeding one inch in diameter.
The NWS issued tornado watches for several counties across southeast Texas, including the Houston area, indicating conditions were favorable for tornado formation. These warnings led Governor Greg Abbott to activate state emergency response resources, urging travelers to stay informed about road conditions and to have emergency plans ready. Abbott stated, "It’s important for Texans and visitors to monitor road conditions and make plans accordingly as severe weather threatens travel after the Christmas holiday."
Even as the storms intensified, there were no immediate reports of substantial damage, though heavy rainfall and strong winds raised concern across the region. The NWS emphasized areas east of Dallas, particularly those near Houston and moving toward adjoining states, would likely continue to face challenging weather conditions as night fell.
"People can’t see a whole lot and may not be as weather aware," Hurley cautioned, highlighting the issues of poor visibility affecting travelers after dark. This advisory was particularly important as the timeline indicated storms would continue moving through Texas and potentially lead to dangerous travel scenarios.
With millions on the move for the holiday season, officials warned of the persistent risk posed by the storms. The weather system, which began affecting the state on Thursday, moved eastward, threatening to impact additional regions, with forecasters expecting the storms to push forward toward southern Arkansas and Louisiana.
Travel experts anticipate over 54 million people will travel by air this holiday season, marking about a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The busiest travel dates are projected to be December 26, 27, and 29, coinciding with people returning home after celebrations.
While Texas faced severe weather challenges, overall conditions were monitored actively. Additional alerts remained issued across different regions reflecting the fluctuative weather patterns typical of the season. Discussing the potential impact of the conditions, weather services remained vigilant as they forecasted continued severe thunderstorms developing over several areas.
Holiday travelers were urged to prepare for additional delays and to prioritize safety as they traversed through these affected areas. With storms projected to linger, authorities recommended monitoring updates closely and to plan their travel schedules with caution, particularly as nightfall approached.
Overall, the significant thunderstorm activity not only disrupted air travel but posed broader safety concerns as people navigated the roadways during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. The convergence of holiday festivities and severe weather created challenging scenarios for all traveling through Texas, prompting emergency actions and advisories from local officials and the National Weather Service.
