FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Travelers heading home from Thanksgiving celebrations in South Florida faced significant delays Saturday as winter weather in the Upper Midwest disrupted flights across the country.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport reported more than 248 delays and 10 cancellations, according to FlightAware.

At Miami International Airport, at least 213 flights were delayed and 25 were canceled.

Nationwide, airlines canceled more than 1,400 flights, most of them linked to a snowstorm sweeping across the Upper Midwest, creating hazardous conditions and grounding aircraft.

The widespread disruptions come shortly after a prolonged federal government shutdown strained airport operations and contributed to earlier travel slowdowns.

Among those affected was Vinny, who had been visiting relatives in South Florida for Thanksgiving. He arrived early for his flight back to New York, only to learn it had been pushed back.

“I don’t want to have to be stuck because it’s hard, especially during the holiday season, to get a place to stay,” he said.

Thanksgiving travelers face widespread delays at South Florida airports

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Byron Tollefson