A massive winter storm hitting the U.S. caused delays on Friday at airports not previously affected by harsh conditions.
The Federal Aviation Administration just issued ground stops for flights bound for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, the second largest hub for American Airlines, where crews are taking de-icing measures.
In the Pacific Northwest, FAA flights were grounded at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport due to snow and ice, despite a runway reopening in Seattle at 11 a.m. ET.
The FAA also halted traffic at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. — flights there were also delayed and canceled Thursday because of the deicing.
An FAA notice read that Reagan “will be chemically treating the airport ahead of the predicted lightning freeze in the area.”
The FAA said major pressure changes associated with the storm would generate strong winds at airports from Boston to Atlanta.
The nearly 3,800 U.S. flight cancellations recorded by FlightAware as of late Friday morning already dwarfs the roughly 2,600 cancellations nationwide Thursday.