Oh my!!!!

I am so stressed right now! Monday we fly out of Philadelphia for our cruise. I am so ready for this cruise...work has been a beast lately and I desperately need it at this point.

Well this is our weather forecast for this weekend: Saturday: Cloudy with snow developing during the afternoon. High 37F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of now expected. Saturday Night: Cloudy with snow. Low 31F. Winds NNE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 6 to 10 inches of snow expected. Sunday: Windy, periods of snow. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the low 20s. Monday: Partly Cloudy. High 36.

Snow is not handled the best in this area, so I'm not sure how the roads will be come early Monday morning. Our flight is around 8am. My mother was planning on taking us to the airport.

So here's where I please need to hear from experienced winter fliers! Everyone thinks the roads should be better come Monday. We have about a 1 1/2 hour drive to the airport. So what do ya'll think? Should I not worry and just relax? I would assume the airport would be back up and running like normal by then. Any advice!?! I just want to go on my vacation! As it is, it looks like it will be in the 60's in key west when we are there. But 80's in Mexico. I've been so upset dh was looking at flights out tomorrow morning and going to stay at a hotel next to the airport. I'd rather not have to do that and spend the extra money on souvineers! Help! Everybody do the snow dance backwards!!!!

Sending good weather {{{prayers & vibes}}} your way! both for your safety & vacation pleasure, & to help out those homeless pets & people who will also suffer from the winter punch.

By Monday it should all be cleared out. You should be fine. Good luck and have a WONDERFUL trip!

I grew up five minutes from Philly airport, and can't see it being closed for a few inches of snow. Are you going to be traveling I-95? That's always the first route cleared, so you should be okay. What time do you have to be at the airport, if your flight is at 8?
I'm sending good weather vibes, and hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

So here's where I please need to hear from experienced winter fliers! Everyone thinks the roads should be better come Monday. We have about a 1 1/2 hour drive to the airport. So what do ya'll think? Should I not worry and just relax? I would assume the airport would be back up and running like normal by then. Any advice!?! I just want to go on my vacation! As it is, it looks like it will be in the 60's in key west when we are there. But 80's in Mexico. I've been so upset dh was looking at flights out tomorrow morning and going to stay at a hotel next to the airport. I'd rather not have to do that and spend the extra money on souvineers! Help! Everybody do the snow dance backwards!!!!

Click to expand...

Living in Michigan most of my life, all I'll tell you is to allow yourself PLENTY of extra travel time. I.e. if it takes you 1 1/2 hours to get to the airport, plan on leaving 2 hours early. I'm just thinking of the other drivers that have SUVs and trucks with all wheel drive that think they're invincible on the roads until they spin out We have PLENTY of those in Michigan.

Most airports will only close if there is lightening in the vacinity or delay flights due to snow blizzards. Check out the philly airport web site on a daily basis just to get the feel of how the airport handles weather situations.

We'll be traveling up DE 1 to I-95. My mother is driving us, and she spent plenty of time driving through those upstate New York winters too, but it's been 11 years since we lived there. I think we were planning on leaving about 5am. I'm not sure how early we need to be there, we will probably leave earlier now too. The main concern really is that the State of Delaware doesn't even really budget winter snow removal and salting/sanding, etc. If it snows like 2', we've had schools close for a week or more it takes them so long to plow...if they even get to some areas! When I lived in NY we had a nice real blizzard to the point we had to go out windows to get out and I don't remember school being closed a week for that!

Fortunately right now it looks like we should get a mix of rain and snow meaning less accumulaton...just hopefully no ice!

last week we had a two hour drive to the airport, it was icy and snowy on the roads, our flight was at 11:30 am and we left at 4:30 am to go to the airport.

I would suggest to leave at 3 or 4 am even if you have to wiat a little longer at the airport its better than being stuck in traffic or a snowed up road!

Everyone else has got some great tips.
I hope everything goes alright, it will all work out. Don't worry about it too much

Have fun on your cruise, you deserve it!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure that the airport will be up and running in no time. While all the snow is falling (and especially if you are getting mixed precip) they may have to delay flights but the snow plows will run 24 hours a day to keep the runways clear. Have an excellent time on your cruise and be sure to take tons of pics!!

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

We'll be traveling up DE 1 to I-95. My mother is driving us, and she spent plenty of time driving through those upstate New York winters too, but it's been 11 years since we lived there. I think we were planning on leaving about 5am. I'm not sure how early we need to be there, we will probably leave earlier now too. The main concern really is that the State of Delaware doesn't even really budget winter snow removal and salting/sanding, etc. If it snows like 2', we've had schools close for a week or more it takes them so long to plow...if they even get to some areas! When I lived in NY we had a nice real blizzard to the point we had to go out windows to get out and I don't remember school being closed a week for that!

Fortunately right now it looks like we should get a mix of rain and snow meaning less accumulaton...just hopefully no ice!

Click to expand...

If it snows 2 inches, and they don't plow, you just need to drive slow and don't stomp on the brakes (or you will slide). As long as you take it easy, you can drive most vehicles through 2 inches of snow!

Maybe you could even get a limo to the airport, if your Mother is afraid to drive in snow. They are probably more experienced at difficult conditions. I know in the Chicago area, there are a lot of services that pick people up and take them to the airports. Even if if costs a little, it will feel very indulgent, and you won't have to worry so much!

If your flight is at 8 Just to be safe I would be at the airport by 6:30-6:45.
Therefore if it takes you 1 1/2 yrs on "good" days I would add 45 min to 1hr to your drive time. That would have you on the road 4:45 am??? When we went on a cruise we arrived the night before just to be safe as we went this time of yr. Living in Wisconsin-they snowplow drivers have the roads in good condition-the interestate should have at least one lane in good driving condition.
As for the flight it might be delayed due to de-icing the plane.
Several yrs ago I flew to visit sis in NY state-terrible snow when driving to local airport. De-iced the plane like 4 times. Barely caught connecting flight.
But I got to destination!! Enjoy the cruise!!!
I forgot-my favorite weather website-NOAA.org!!!

Well how bout these apples!?!.....We did get about 6-8inches of snow...but now it's sunny and the roads are looking good even in my neighborhood...but our flight tomorrow morning is already cancelled!!!!

We called travelocity and they refuneded our money and we booked a flight out of Regan International. It's a bit longer of a drive and of course more money, but I'm just happy we are going!!! We're driving ourselves too. The stinky part is that our flight home doesn't leave Miami till 7pm so we have a lot of time to kill in Miami. Guess I better see if there is something to do!