Severe Weather Prompts Evacuation of Atlanta Airport Control Tower

On the eve of the busiest travel day of the year, Mother Nature is already wreaking havoc across the southern U.S. The airport tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport had to be evacuated for a short time on Tuesday morning as a line of thunderstorms approached the region. Here is a look at where the biggest trouble spots have been popping up as the Thanksgiving travel rush kicks into high gear.

Atlanta Airport Control Tower Evacuated Due to Severe Weather

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that severe weather forced the evacuation of a control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at about 8:45 am local time on Tuesday. The evacuation only lasted about 10 minutes, with normal operations resuming at about 8:55 am. The Atlanta Terminal Radar Approach Control facility was in control of the airspace during the brief interruption. Meteorologists said that the greatest danger during the evacuation was powerful straight-line winds.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) out of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday for portions of Mississippi and Alabama. According to NOAA, this same zone is also under a 5% chance of tornadic activity. The natural heating of the late afternoon hours will bring the greatest chance of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

A lower degree of severe weather persisted throughout Atlanta and the rest of the state on Tuesday. The Peach City was under the gun for hail and gusty winds until at least midnight. The majority of the southeastern U.S. will see drier weather on Wednesday. While Atlanta will wake up to cloudy conditions with the chance of a lingering rain shower, the forecast is calling for smooth sailing in the afternoon and evening hours. You can expect highs to reach the mid 60s on Wednesday before a cold front sends the temperatures tumbling for the balance of the week.