Storms Delay Start of Obama’s Post-Presidential Vacation

Storms Delay Start of Obama’s Post-Presidential Vacation
Former President Barack Obama waves as he departs the inauguration, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2017. President-Elect Donald Trump was sworn-in as the 45th President. (Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images)
The Associated Press
1/20/2017
Updated:
1/22/2017

After eight years, Barack Obama had to wait a little bit longer to start his post-presidential relaxation.

The plane taking the Obama family from Washington to the California desert Friday was delayed then diverted because of bad weather.

Officials say the Obamas hovered for about 40 minutes over Palm Springs International Airport, where gawkers and photographers had gathered to catch a glimpse of them.

It was eventually diverted to March Air Reserve Base about 60 miles to the west, where it landed to little audience at about 5:45 p.m., about an hour after it was expected.

Former President Barack Obama's plane flies over Palm Springs International Airport and is diverted to March Air Reserve Base after bad weather prevented him and his family from landing at Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, Calif. on Jan. 19, 2017. Obama left Washington after attending President Donald Trump's morning inauguration. (Frank Bellino/The Press-Enterprise via AP)
Former President Barack Obama's plane flies over Palm Springs International Airport and is diverted to March Air Reserve Base after bad weather prevented him and his family from landing at Palm Springs International Airport in Palm Springs, Calif. on Jan. 19, 2017. Obama left Washington after attending President Donald Trump's morning inauguration. (Frank Bellino/The Press-Enterprise via AP)

Obama left Washington after attending President Donald Trump’s morning inauguration.

The first family had sought a sunny vacation as they left cold capital, but Southern California is being doused by a series of storms.