FAA Limits Flights In, Out Of DIA Due To Severe Storms
DENVER (CBS4) - A severe thunderstorm forced the FAA to put a hold on some traffic going in and out of Denver International Airport on Thursday afternoon.
THAT'S NOT SNOW ... IT'S HAIL!!! @DENAirport @SouthwestAir #COwx #4wx pic.twitter.com/8kF0AIQGVd
— Chris Spears (@ChrisCBS4) May 26, 2016
The storm system brought heavy rain and lightning east of Interstate 25 in the eastern Denver metro area and in some locations around DIA there was a possibility of that hail being as big as 1.5 inches in size. That's just below golf ball sized.
There was a severe thunderstorm warning in effect in the area.
There was so much hail on some of the runways that the airport called out snowplows to clear it.
Our snow teams are always ready - even in the spring! Crews are clearing hail from the airfield #COwx pic.twitter.com/ZGr5PmofKH
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) May 26, 2016
Many flights going into DIA and coming out were delayed as a result.
Look at all the areas of circling aircraft. DIA on FAA hold due to storms. #COwx #4wx pic.twitter.com/h3KsnZCYga
— Chris Spears (@ChrisCBS4) May 26, 2016
So far there have been no reports of any funnel clouds with the storms, although that could be a possibility, according to CBS4 meteorologist Dave Aguilera.
A flood advisory was also in place in the Colorado Springs area.