Travel plans for many were thrown into disarray on Wednesday as the Federal Aviation Administration enforced a ground stop at Nashville International Airport in the face of looming severe weather. According to WKRN, the stoppage was announced around 5:25 p.m. due to a barrage of severe storms and potential tornadoes ravaging Middle Tennessee.

As the weather intensified, a tornado warning had put Nashville on high alert until 6 p.m., though it was subsequently lifted just after 5:35 p.m., as reported by the National Weather Service. Still, travelers were advised to expect strong winds persisting in the area. Flights already in the air were permitted to land at the airport, but departures to BNA experienced halts in their operations. This information comes via the official communication from the FOX 17 news coverage of the disruption.

Initial notifications by WSMV indicated that the ground stop was put into effect at 4:20 p.m., with an initial estimate suggesting the stop could last until 5:45 p.m. However, the extreme weather conditions seemed to have necessitated a longer pause in activities.

The FAA's decision to implement a ground stop is a safety measure taken in response to thunderstorms, which can significantly hinder visibility and create dangerous flying conditions. Those scheduled to depart were left wading through the uncertainty as the ground stop was estimated to continue until 7:45 p.m.