Although temperatures are finally on the rise in Columbia, Columbia Regional Airport still experienced some winter-weather problems Monday. One flight was delayed, and another was canceled.
Columbia Public Works spokesperson Steven Sapp said ice on the runways and aircraft delayed the morning’s 6:30 a.m. flight to Dallas-Fort Worth.
“Runways since about 8 this morning at Columbia Regional have been open and clear, and we expect them to remain that way throughout the rest of the week,” Sapp said.
The afternoon flight to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport was canceled because of a winter storm hitting the Chicago area. Sapp said air traffic in Chicago was backed up by 6 to 8 hours, and various carriers canceled flights.
He said the status of the next Chicago flights will depend on the weather there.
In Columbia, residents can expect a few days of relative warmth.
Doug Tilly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said temperatures should be in the fifties on Tuesday. He said Thursday’s highs will approach 60, but the warmer weather won’t last.
“This upcoming weekend, looks like temperature’s gonna drop off just a little bit more back into the forties, and that cooler trend’s going to continue into next week with highs on Monday right now looking right around the freezing mark again,” he said.
Sapp said the city will continue to monitor the forecast for changes.