President Barack Obama's plane was forced to divert to another airport tonight as stormy whether ruined his Palm Springs arrival.

His government jet, SAM 28000 (Special Air Mission) - not Air Force One unless the serving President is on board - circled Palm Springs International airport for more than 40 minutes and it's believed the pilot made three attempts to land.

But as heavy rain and low cloud swept across the airport visibility was too poor for a safe landing.

President Obama was instead flown elsewhere - a destination understood to be March Air Force base in Riverside, some 44 miles away.

Fog delay: The presidential flight could be seen trying to land and failing

Off elsewhere: The plane which usually flies as Air Force One could be seen in the air but was unable to land at Palm Springs

Why are we waiting: James Costos and his husband, interior designer Michael Smith posted a selfie from inside Air Force One while it circled

Security presence: Local police had moved in force to the airport

Disappointment: Obama fans had turned up to wait for him but when the rain fell heavily they were unable to see their hero

Long wait: Crowds had formed outside the airport perimeter to await the arrival of the presidential plane - not called Air Force One because President Trump is not on board

Soaking: The Obama fans had waited and got drenched but were unable to see the president

Not going to Palm Springs yet: The Obamas had expected to land in Palm Springs but bad weather hit their plans

Welcome to Palm Springs: This was the rainy scene at the normally sunshine drenched destination

On board: James Costos and Michael Smith, who are hosting the Obamas, used their joint Instagram account to show the former first couple boarding at Andrews

Barack and Michelle Obama hold hands as they walk on the red carpet toward their waiting plane while an honor guard stands by

Just before 3pm, a large motorcade of more than a dozen SUVs and minivans along with Palm Springs Police Department vehicles were lined up on the airport tarmac in preparation for the Obamas' arrival.

They waited for over an hour and a half for the former president to make his final dissent until word came through his plane was being diverted.

His motorcade was then diverted to meet him, although officials refused to confirm this due to security concerns.

It has been reported that President Obama and his family is staying at the mansion of his Spanish ambassador James Costos and his husband, interior designer Michael Smith, in Rancho Mirage, near Palm Springs while on vacation.

Google Maps had appeared to update the address of Costos and Smith as 'Obama's Palm Springs Hideaway'.

The couple were on board the final flight, which took off from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland after President Trump was sworn in.

They used their joint Instagram account to show that they were on the flight, with an image showing the former president and former first lady walking up the red carpet towards the stairs.

The Obamas are not in for a sunny start to their vacations: conditions in Palm Springs were barely warmer, and also wetter than Washington D.C., with 50f in the California destination and heavy rain predicted.

Pride: James Costos posted a picture of him and Obama in the Oval Office

Privileged view: Michael Smith was at the side of the stage as the Obamas spoke at Andrews

The flight on the aircraft once known as Air Force One was the final time that the Obamas fly on it.

The former president and first lady were transported to Andrews on a Marine One helicopter after departing the US Capitol for the final time on Friday

Moments earlier, the Obamas watched as President Donald Trump took the oath of office

With lawmakers looking on, the Obamas were escorted to the helicopter by Trump and his wife, Melania, shortly after the ceremony

The Trumps, Vice President Mike Pence, and his wife, Karen Pence, waved goodbye as the chopper took off for Joint Base Andrews

Barack Obama joked 'is this thing still on' as he returned to his personal Twitter account just hours after handing his old @POTUS handle to Donald Trump

Just moments before boarding the airplane Obama told former staffers that their democracy doesn't end with the beginning of the new administration - a final lecture as he left.

Awaiting them at Andrews were 1,800, mostly former members Obama administration, including Denis McDonough, Obama's former chief of staff; Valerie Jarrett, a family friend and senior adviser in his administration; Susan Rice, his national security adviser; Neil Eggleston, his White House lawyer; Eric Holder, his first attorney general; Gina McCarthy, the former EPA administrator; Jeff Zients, Obama's National Economic Council head; Jen Psaki, the departing White House communications director; and Josh Earnest, his final spokesman, accompanied by his two-year-old son.

Before they finally left, Obama said that he and Michelle had been 'milking this goodbye thing.'

'So it behooves me to be very brief,' he said. 'NO!' his audience shouted in response.

Then in the air, he took to Twitter, where he will now use just one Twitter handle, @BarackObama, now that @POTUS has been taken over by President Donald Trump.