All flights are Denver International Airport are grounded because of high winds, adding to hundreds of flights already delayed on Thursday as thunderstorms and hail hit Colorado’s Eastern Plains.
Federal Aviation Administration officials ordered the at 5 p.m., which is set to expire at 6:30 p.m. but may be extended, according to an alert.
Wind gusts at the airport hit 45 mph at 5:18 p.m. and blowing dust is limiting visibility, according to the .
Colorado weather: Severe thunderstorm watch, possible tornadoes for Eastern Plains
Airlines reported 476 as of 5:45 p.m., including 208 delays on Southwest, 117 on United and 85 on SkyWest, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.
Severe thunderstorms are expected to bring wind gusts up to 70 mph, golf ball-sized hail and the potential for tornadoes to the Eastern Plains this afternoon and evening, NWS forecasters said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
