A series of destructive storms across parts of the south and central United States could wash out Memorial Day plans and snarl millions of Americans’ return trek home.

As of Monday afternoon, hundreds of flights had been delayed in the United States, with dozens of others canceled, according to data on FlightAware.com. The Dallas-Fort Worth area, which has seen several rounds of thunderstorms and gusting winds over the weekend and into Monday, has been the most affected by those delays, the flight tracking site said.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, American Airlines’ largest hub, said it was expecting to serve about 1.4 million travelers over the holiday. Over the weekend, lines of hundreds of people deep snaked around the airport’s terminals.

Delays also continued into Monday at Denver International Airport after thunderstorms caused a temporary ground stop Sunday. Officials said a Southwest Airlines flight originating from Tampa, Florida, that landed in Denver on Sunday night may have been struck by lightning; no injuries were immediately reported.

It was also the first Memorial Day and major holiday travel weekend since the requirement that passengers have either REAL IDs or passports for domestic flights went into effect this month.

The storms Sunday produced more than 180 severe weather reports, including six preliminary tornadoes in New Mexico and Texas. Extremely large hail, some up to 6 inches, was also reported near Afton, Texas, east of Lubbock.

Isolated severe weather threats are expected to continue from Texas through the Deep South and parts of Florida into Tuesday, according to forecasts.

Through Memorial Day, a severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Eleven million people were at risk for damaging winds and large hail across parts of Texas, including Abilene, Austin and San Antonio; Louisiana; and Alabama. There’s also a continued chance of isolated tornadoes.

In addition, 12 million people remain under flood threats across the South into Tuesday morning, with the alerts stretching across the Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana regions.

NBC affiliate WESH reported that the potential for pop-up storms Monday across Florida, a popular holiday destination, could lead to ground stops late in the day at Orlando International Airport.

Officials said about a million people were expected to pass through the airport over the weekend, and the high volume could potentially lead to delays.

AAA expects a record 45.1 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home over the long holiday weekend. But most people — an estimated 38 million people, according to the association — are doing so by car.

And they’re benefiting from gas averaging $3.18 per gallon — the lowest Memorial Day price in more than four years, AAA reported.

For the majority of the United States, outdoor cookouts and travel plans home should remain on track.

Seasonal temperatures were anticipated across the Northeast with sun and clouds, while conditions were dry in the western third of the country.

Roads and airports will be busier as people head home from Memorial Day weekend.

Airlines are seeing a 5% increase in air travel, up from last year. They project that the surge will go through tomorrow, marking the official start to the busy travel season.

At Midway Airport, officials expect the highest volume of travelers to arrive on Monday.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said travelers may see longer wait times at security checkpoints due to the influx of travelers and the new REAL ID requirements.

Those hitting the road are reminded that about ten different kinds of IDs are still accepted.

The CDA said travelers heading to the airport by car should also be aware of ongoing construction on the Kennedy. Outbound reversible express lanes are closed, forcing all traffic bound for O’Hare into local lanes.

Delays during peak hours can make traveling from downtown Chicago to O’Hare almost two hours. Using the CTA or Metra is strongly encouraged.

TSA leaders described what airports will look like as the busy travel season begins.

“Every weekend, you’re going to see elevated travel volumes. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, give yourself extra time, especially those first flights of the day 5 to 8 a.m. that’s kind of our rush hour here,” spokesperson Jessica Mayle said.

Over two million people are also expected to travel by car through Illinois.

The good news is that gas prices should be lower than last year.

It’s expected that this Memorial Day will hit a nearly 20-year high. The record 2.2 million travelers was set in 2005.

As Memorial Day weekend draws to a close, millions of Americans are facing travel disruptions due to severe weather across the southern and central United States. A series of destructive storms, including grapefruit-sized hail and tornadoes, has impacted travel plans and caused significant delays.

Hundreds of flights have been delayed and dozens canceled, with Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport experiencing the most significant disruptions. This airport, American Airlines’ largest hub, was expected to serve about 1.4 million travelers over the holiday weekend. Meanwhile, Denver International Airport also faced delays after thunderstorms led to a temporary ground stop on Sunday (May 25).

The severe weather has produced over 180 reports of extreme conditions, including six preliminary tornadoes in New Mexico and Texas. Hail as large as six inches was reported near Afton, Texas. The threat of severe weather is expected to continue from Texas through the Deep South and parts of Florida into Tuesday (May 27).

“These storms may be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a tornado. In addition, heavy rainfall with these thunderstorms could cause locally heavy rain and flash flooding,” the Weather Prediction Center said.

While the South faces storm threats, most of the U.S. is experiencing favorable travel conditions. The Northeast is seeing seasonal temperatures with sun and clouds, and the western third of the country remains dry.

In addition to the severe weather, this Memorial Day marks the first major holiday travel weekend requiring passengers to have either a REAL ID or a passport for domestic flights. The AAA predicts a record 45.1 million people traveled at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend, with 38 million traveling by car, benefiting from gas prices averaging $3.18 per gallon.

Tens of millions of people from the Plains to the Southeast will again be at risk of severe weather, which could halt travel back home after the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Those regions have been relentlessly slammed with extreme weather for days, with damage to buildings reported in Oklahoma, water rescues and flooding in Missouri and thunderstorms tearing across communities in Florida on Saturday.

And on Sunday, massive DVD-sized hail fell in Texas when an intense storm raced across the Afton area.

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The FOX Forecast Center said that as temperatures climb, the atmosphere will become increasingly unstable across portions of Central Texas. This could allow for supercell thunderstorms across Central and West Texas, with lines or clusters of storms into northeastern Texas.

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NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed the region in a Level 3 threat on its 5-point severe thunderstorm risk scale.

This includes cities such as Abilene, Killeen, San Angelo, Copperas Cove and Kerrville.

A Level 2 out of 5 threat extends from Texas to Louisiana and includes more than 7 million people in cities like San Antonio, Austin, Waco and Tyler in Texas, as well as Shreveport in Louisiana.

A Level 1 threat stretches from Colorado and New Mexico to Georgia and South Carolina.

Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the main threats from storms that develop, but some tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

The Brief Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, and with it comes a lot of people hitting the road. Nearly 40 million people are expected to drive, with 800,000 driving in Wisconsin. The national average gas prices are the lowest they’ve been on Memorial Day weekend since 2021.

Memorial Day weekend isn’t just the unofficial kick-off to summer, it’s reliably one of the busiest travel weekends of the entire year.

“Just spending time with family,” said Neka Berry.

Memorial Day brings people together.

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“I get to chill with my family, my kids and just barbecue and eat,” said Candy Nichols. “I’m not traveling. I’m going to be here.”

Nichols won’t be going far for the holiday, but that’s not the case for everyone.

Travel projections

By the numbers:

AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period.

That’s up from last year.

Nearly 40 million are expected to drive.

AAA says more than 800,000 Wisconsin drivers are expected to hit the road.

Late Sunday morning, FOX6 saw smooth sailing on the interstate.

Drivers are hoping it stays that way.

Gas prices

By the numbers:

The national average gas prices are the lowest they’ve been over Memorial Day weekend since 2021.

Gas prices across the state are also down.

AAA advises mapping out your preferred route, including rest and meal stops.

They also say you should fill up the gas tank the day before and get a good night’s sleep ahead of your road trip.

Travel timing

What we know:

The best time to travel on Memorial Day is before 2 p.m.

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The worst time is between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday evening.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is urging people to plan to have a safe holiday.

“Just spending time with family. Just being with family, because that’s the most important thing,” added Berry.

Real ID

What we know:

This weekend also marks the first holiday travel period with new Real ID requirements at airports.

The TSA says about 93% of passengers are presenting a Real ID or an acceptable alternative, such as a passport.