We were told by our pilot in Las Vegas that "rain in the desert messes everything up", but no one could tell us why. I am curious now if it has to do with thermals, or what the exact problems caused are. I want to understand what rain does that can cause huge delays even when it's been stopped raining for 4 hours? Was it just a fluke, or does rain cause changes in the air which aren't conducive for flight (remember the rain was stopped for hours before actual takeoff time). Was the amount of rain on Saturday the deciding factor? I can't find any science to answer my questions. Thanks!
2006-10-16 00:03:47 · 3 answers · asked by Travel Weary Todds 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Everytime it rains here ATC (Air Traffic Control) slows down the landing rates to allow safe passage and landings. So what happend last week the rain started out so early all planes started out late and it just trickled down from there and there is no way to catch up.
2006-10-18 16:11:12 · answer #1 · answered by Jay G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because usually the ground in the American Southwest is usually too dry to readily absorb all of that water.
Think of it as trying to pour a cup full of water onto a sponge that is bone dry.
The water usually splashes off if it's poured on the sponge too quickly.
And FYI, a Monsoon is something different. Has nothing to do with how dry the ground is.
2006-10-16 11:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by enigma_frozen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It causes a monsoon. The desert is to dry to obsorb water so it pools on the surface and causes flash flooding. maybe the airport runway was at risk of flooding?
2006-10-16 07:12:58 · answer #3 · answered by blu_222 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋