Can planes land in tropical storms?

[florida-again]

So....there are going to be tropical force winds in Orlando on Thursday, which is the day I'm supposed to be flying in from the UK.

Will planes land in weather like this? Does anyone know how good or bad the weather has to be to influence flights?

Please help!

 

[Talking Hands]

Who says there will be tropical storm force winds in Orlando on Thursday? It is really too early to predict. Whether or not planes can land would depend on the speed of the winds. You would have to ask your airline.

 

[LMC]

I just heard the weather on CNN and they said landfall on Friday near Titusville. I would call the airline and ask them about this. You could always fly into Tampa (about 1.5 hours away from Orlando) then drive a rental to Orlando.

 

[Dodie]

It won't do any good to worry about it now. You'll get on your plane and, if they can land, they will. If they can't, they will probably delay your flight. If they are in the air when they determine it's too rough to land, they may divert you.

Please don't let the scenes of devastation that are currently going on right now in New Orleans force you to put more concern into this than it warrants. It's nothing you can do anything about.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Most airports close to air traffic when there are sustained winds of 40 mph. Stay in touch with your airline for updates as they stop flying even sooner.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I just heard the weather on CNN and they said landfall on Friday near Titusville. I would call the airline and ask them about this. You could always fly into Tampa (about 1.5 hours away from Orlando) then drive a rental to Orlando.

Umm that's not what the NHC says.

 

[Viking]

It does not only depend on the windspeed but also on the direction. Additionally it depends on the type of aircraft and also on the condition and length of the available runway. But tropical storm force winds at or near an airport automatically result in a diversion of the aircraft. Tampa or Ft. Myers would come into my mind first. But you could also end up in Atlanta, Charleston, or any major airport enroute to Orlando. Or your flight could be cancelled if your airline doesn't have a feasible alternate before departure.
I would not think about it right now. We managed to land right between Ivan and Jeanne last year. The airlines do their best to get their passengers to the destinations booked within very strict safety margins, because anything else costs them extra-money.

 

[Disney Doll]

On our local news(NYC area)this morning, they said that Thursday and Friday there might be travel delays due to rain/wind.

Call your airline...probably the best bet.

 

[DCLuvinit]

Umm that's not what the NHC says.

Looks pretty close to Titusville

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/145127.shtml?3day

 

[pmcpmc]

or other airport outside the wind zone and bus you in.

So....there are going to be tropical force winds in Orlando on Thursday, which is the day I'm supposed to be flying in from the UK.

Will planes land in weather like this? Does anyone know how good or bad the weather has to be to influence flights?

Please help!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

That is about mid-Volusia County and that is not landfall. On the NHC's track right now landfall would be around St. Augustine om Saturday.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/145127.shtml?5day

But in all reality it is too early to really know since the storm is just sitting there right now.

 

[LMC]

Just saw another weather update. Sustained winds are only 29 MPH but the problem is the storm has stalled which means it may get stronger. Hopefully it will start moving soon and bug outta town. They tracked it into "north central Florida" Looked like St. Augustine or northward from there over the weekend.

I would still suggest that you call your airline to see what conditions they will land in. You can check Orlando weather at www.weather.com. You can also ask which airport they would divert too if needed.