Ground stops at major airports ahead of holiday rush

Travel Disruptions - Severe weather is causing ground stops and delays at major airports, impacting holiday travelers [1] - Over 52 million people are expected to fly during the holiday period, with peak travel days occurring through the weekend and just after Christmas [1] - Flight cancellations and delays are approaching 10,000 [6] - Travel time could more than double near major cities like Boston and DC, starting this weekend [6] Weather Conditions - Thunderstorms and powerful winds are affecting the Northeast, with potential for trees to fall onto power lines [3] - A mix of wind and snow is creating dangerous conditions in the upper Midwest [3] - Colorado is facing a rare particularly dangerous situation alert for wildfire risk, with gusts exceeding 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour) [4] Safety Measures - Excel Energy is shutting off power to tens of thousands of customers as a precaution against trees and power poles snapping [5] - Officials are urging people to stay home and off the roads due to the turbulent weather conditions [5]