A strong winter storm disrupted holiday travel across the United States, especially in the Northeast. As a result, airlines cancelled and delayed thousands of flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
By Friday night, airlines had cancelled about 1,600 flights across the country. At the same time, another 7,400 flights faced delays, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Major airports see severe impact
Airports serving the New York region faced the worst disruptions. These included John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. In addition, airports in Boston and Chicago also reported heavy delays and cancellations. Flights in Toronto, Canada, were affected as well.
Meanwhile, airports used social media to urge travellers to check directly with airlines for the latest flight updates.
Weather service issues storm warning
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning starting at 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Friday. The warning will remain in place until 13:00 on Saturday.
Forecasters said New York and southern Connecticut could receive up to 9 inches (23 cm) of snow. Moreover, they expected the heaviest snowfall between 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT) and midnight.
Airlines cancel hundreds of flights
Ahead of the storm, major airlines cancelled large numbers of flights. JetBlue Airways scrapped 229 flights, while Delta Air Lines cancelled 241 flights. Similarly, Republic Airways and Southwest Airlines cancelled 180 and 151 flights, respectively. In addition, American Airlines and United Airlines cancelled around 100 flights each.
Officials urge caution on roads
Authorities warned drivers about dangerous road conditions. Therefore, they advised travellers to carry emergency supply kits and avoid unnecessary travel.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul asked people to stay off the roads unless travel was essential. However, she added that those who must travel should “plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to get to where you need to go safely”.
Likewise, the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut issued similar advisories as the storm intensified.
New York prepares for more snow
This storm marked the second major snowfall of the season for New York City. Earlier, several inches of snow covered the city on 14 December.
Mayor Eric Adams urged people who drove to work on Friday to leave early or consider using public transport. At the same time, city crews deployed snow ploughs and prepared to clear streets once snowfall reached two inches.
Authorities remain on alert
Overall, officials across the region continued to monitor the storm closely. With heavy snow and icy roads expected, they stressed that safety should come first as holiday travel continues.