Hundreds Of Flights Delayed In the Bay Area Due To Stormy Weather

SAN FRANCISCO — A wet start to the holiday travel week caused hundreds of flight delays around the Bay Area on Monday with lingering issues stretching into the afternoon.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, high winds prompted a traffic management program at the San Francisco International Airport, which delayed arrivals by more than 90 minutes. Departing flights headed to Boston were delayed more than 2.5 hours on average.

Airport officials told KTVU that at least 240 flights were delayed at SFO on Monday along with six that were canceled. More than two dozen flights were delayed at San Jose Mineta International Airport, and more than a dozen were impacted at Oakland International Airport.

The National Weather Service said the heavier widespread rain had moved to the east by mid-morning, but warned additional bands were expected Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Forecasters expected Tuesday's system would lend to a less intense but longer period of rain. Wednesday could bring even more headaches for travelers if thunderstorms develop. The South Bay will have at least a marginal risk of excessive rainfall.

The weather should take a calmer turn during the back half of the week, with just light rain in the forecast by Thursday, kicking off a drier trend. Early forecasts show clear skies returning to the region by Christmas Eve.

However, climate outlooks updated Monday still favor a warmer and wetter trend emerging to close out December.