High Winds and Thunderstorms Throw a Wrench Into Flights at Las Vegas and Phoenix Airports

Wednesday turned out to be a rough day for travelers across the desert Southwest. A gusty wind front that rolled through southern Nevada and a bout of thunderstorms that swept over Phoenix meant that planes were stuck on the tarmac longer than anyone liked.

At Harry Reid International Airport, the wind clocked a steady 16‑18 mph from the south, spiking up to 35‑45 mph in gusts by late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Flight‑tracking data from FlightAware shows that those breezy conditions translated into 193 separate delays and a single Southwest Airlines flight to Phoenix being outright canceled.

By 5 p.m., the airport was juggling 100 inbound and 93 outbound flights that were still waiting for clearance. In total, the delays accounted for roughly 13 percent of the day’s scheduled arrivals and departures – a noticeable dent in an otherwise busy travel day.

Just a few hundred miles south, Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport faced its own drama. A brief ground stop kicked in from about noon to 1:15 p.m. as thunderstorms moved through the valley, bringing rain and low clouds that made landing approaches tricky.

When the clouds cleared, the numbers were still grim: 306 flights were listed as delayed and eight were canceled by the evening. Travelers on the ground reported long lines at the gate areas and a steady stream of announcements reminding passengers to stay patient.

These weather‑related hiccups are not uncommon in the Southwest, especially during the transition months when high‑pressure systems clash with lingering monsoonal moisture. Still, for the thousands of passengers who had plans to make it to shows, conferences, or family reunions, the extra wait time felt more than just a minor inconvenience.

If you were affected and need assistance, the article’s author, Richard N. Velotta, can be reached at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or by phone at 702‑477‑3893. You can also follow his updates on X at @RickVelotta.