In a dramatic twist during the busy Memorial Day weekend, a Southwest Airlines flight headed to Denver encountered a fierce lightning strike as it descended into Denver International Airport.

On Sunday evening, Southwest Flight 168 was nearing its destination from Tampa when it was unexpectedly hit. The incident prompted a swift response from emergency crews, who were ready to assist as the aircraft landed safely.

Fortunately, all passengers and crew members emerged unscathed, with no injuries reported. However, Southwest Airlines acknowledged the possibility of a lightning strike and promptly grounded the aircraft for thorough inspection by maintenance teams.

Eyewitness footage shared with NBC News captured the harrowing moment, displaying emergency vehicles rushing to the scene amid the rain-soaked haze from the windows.

This incident is just one part of the turbulent weather affecting the region, as Denver and other cities braced for severe storms over the long holiday weekend. Disaster was not limited to just one plane; on Monday, flight disruptions ensued with over 2,700 delays and numerous cancellations nationwide, particularly affecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Texas has been battered by relentless thunderstorms and fierce winds, and forecasts indicate that this stormy trend will persist into Tuesday.

In addition to this chaotic weather, this year marked a significant shift in air travel—Monday was the first Memorial Day in which travelers required a REAL ID or a passport for domestic flights, adding another layer of complexity to an already fraught travel experience.