Air travelers along the U.S. Gulf Coast could be in for a rough few days as Tropical Storm Bertha moves west across the region, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and the potential for widespread flight delays.
The storm strengthened Tuesday with sustained winds around 50 mph and is expected to track along the coastline through the week.
For airlines, the biggest issue isn’t necessarily the rain—it’s the wind. When sustained winds or gusts climb above about 40 knots, or 46 mph, ramp crews often have to stop working because it’s no longer safe to load baggage, refuel aircraft or guide planes at the gate.
That can quickly lead to ground stops, delayed departures and a ripple effect across the region. Forecasts call for wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph from the Florida Panhandle to parts of Louisiana, making disruptions increasingly likely over the next several days.
The first round of impacts was expected Tuesday in the Florida Panhandle, where airports in Pensacola and Panama City could see delays as the strongest winds move ashore.
By Wednesday, the storm shifts toward Alabama and Mississippi, putting airports in Mobile and Gulfport-Biloxi at greater risk for interruptions. Louisiana is expected to take the brunt of the storm on Thursday, with New Orleans and Lafayette likely to see the most significant aviation impacts as Bertha tracks along the coast.
Even after the storm begins to weaken, travelers shouldn’t assume flights will return to normal right away. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to linger over southeast Texas on Friday and Saturday, which could still trigger temporary ground stops at Houston-area airports and Beaumont. Delays can also spread well beyond the storm itself as aircraft and flight crews work to get back on schedule.
Anyone flying this week should keep a close eye on their flight status before heading to the airport. Tropical systems can change quickly, and airlines may issue delays or cancellations with little advance notice. Checking the FAA’s National Airspace System Status Map and your airline’s app before leaving home can help avoid unnecessary time spent at the airport.
The threat from Bertha comes just one day after severe thunderstorms snarled air travel in Arizona. A United Airlines flight from Houston to Phoenix was forced to divert to Luke Air Force Base after intense monsoon storms engulfed the Phoenix metro area, producing wind gusts as high as 68 mph and prompting temporary ground stops at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The aircraft landed safely and passengers were bused to Phoenix.
