A severe winter storm is sweeping across the northeastern United States, creating massive disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Meteorological authorities have issued winter storm warnings effective from Friday afternoon through Saturday, predicting accumulations of up to nine inches (23 cm) in New York City and southern Connecticut regions.
The aviation sector is experiencing significant operational challenges, with nearly 1,500 flight cancellations and over 5,400 delays recorded nationwide by Friday afternoon. Major transportation hubs including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia airports are bearing the brunt of the disruptions, with substantial impacts also reported at Philadelphia, Detroit, and Toronto Pearson International airports.
Leading carriers have implemented widespread cancellations, with JetBlue Airways scrubbing 227 flights and Delta Air Lines eliminating 213 routes. Republic Airways and Southwest Airlines have cancelled 157 and 146 flights respectively, while American Airlines and United Airlines have each grounded approximately 100 flights.
Transportation authorities are urging extreme caution for those who must travel. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of preparation and additional travel time, stating: ‘Avoid unnecessary trips, but if travel is essential, plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely.’ Similar advisories have been issued by governors in neighboring states including New Jersey and Connecticut.
Municipal preparations are underway across affected regions, with New York City deploying snow plows that will begin operations once two inches of accumulation occurs. This represents the second significant snowfall event of the season for the region, following the December 14th winter weather occurrence that left several inches of accumulation.
Travelers are strongly advised to monitor flight statuses directly with their airlines and exercise extreme caution when road travel becomes necessary during the expected peak snowfall period between 6:00 PM and midnight.