Flight diverted from Charlotte during storm. Where the flight ended up, and why.
A Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport was diverted Friday night due to bad weather.
A massive thunderstorm forced the low-cost carrier’s flight 981 to divert to Myrtle Beach International Airport.
“UNBELIEVABLE STORM IN CLT,” Severe Weather Tracker posted on Twitter at 6:21 p.m. with a photo of the storm’s ominous clouds.
The National Weather Service office in Greer, South Carolina, issued a severe thunderstorm warning at the time for Charlotte, the airport and Rock Hill, South Carolina.
NWS meteorologists reported penny-size hail and up to 60 mph gusts.
The flight diverted just before 6:30 p.m., according to Flight Aware.com, which tracks flights at the nation’s airports.
“The plane received fuel in Myrtle Beach and took off for Charlotte shortly after,” Spirit spokesman Erik Hofmeyer said in an email to The Charlotte Observer on Saturday.
The flight departed Myrtle Beach International Airport at 7:52 p.m. and landed in Charlotte at 8:25 p.m., Flight Aware.com reported.
WCCB meteorologist Kaitlin Wright reported storm damage along the Catawba River in Mecklenburg County on Friday and posted photos on Twitter of downed trees and wrecked canoes.
Charlotte’s airport experienced at least 428 delays by 11 p.m. Friday, including 244 departures, and 23 cancellations, according to FlightAware.com.
Charlotte forecast
Saturday was expected expected to be all sunshine with a high of 87, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Sunday should also be be sunny, with a slight chance of showers and a high of 86, the forecast showed.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5 p.m. Monday, with the chance of rain at 60%, NWS forecasters said.
This story was originally published August 12, 2022 at 10:08 PM.
CORRECTION: Editor’s note: This story was updated following Spirit’s response to questions saying the flight was diverted.