ROMULUS (WWJ) -- As Southeast Michigan squared off against its second winter storm in two weeks, Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) was temporarily closed Friday night, with all airlines delaying and diverting flights runways could be properly cleared.
Just after 7:30 p.m., DTW Tweeted that -- because of the heavy snow and high winds -- the airport would be closed until conditions improve.
"Due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, DTW is temporarily closed. Please check your flight status with your airline before heading to the airport," DTW said, citing the most recent National Weather Service report for the area.
To get a sense of just how quickly the situation is shifting on the ground and in the air, WWJ's Chris Keyzer spoke with Alex Haggart, who -- as of 8:30 p.m. -- was sitting on a runway in Chicago instead of Detroit.
Haggart and his family were passengers on a Delta flight, returning from a vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
When their flight departed around 2 p.m. EST, rumors were floating around the cabin that the plane might be diverted to Jacksonville, Florida. The pilot, however, assured them that -- at the time -- their destination was still DTW.
The flight was still on course up until the last minute. There was even an announcement over the intercom that the plane would land in Detroit in just 15 minutes.
Shortly after that announcement, though, word came from DTW that the flight would not be able to land, yet. Crews on the ground were working to clear the runway.
Haggart said that the plane circled for over an hour before they were finally informed that DTW was closing and that their flight was being diverted to Chicago.
During his 8:30 p.m. chat with Keyzer, Haggart and his family -- including three children -- were still on the very crowded plane, which was parked on a tarmac in Chicago.
Haggart praised the flight crew, who he said provided excellent customer service and brought around extra drinks and snacks.
The airport reopened just before midnight Friday.
Because of continued delays, anyone with a flight in the next 24 hours should check with their airline before heading to the airport.
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