Winter Storm Delays Flights Across Northeast, Great Lakes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A powerful winter storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the Northeast and Great Lakes, canceling or delaying over 1,500 flights. Governors in New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency as hazardous road and travel conditions intensified. Forecasters expect the storm to weaken, but impacts will linger through the holiday travel rush.
Holiday Travel Disruptions Quick Looks
- Over 1,500 flights canceled or delayed across the Northeast
- Snowfall underperformed in NYC but still impacted airports
- Major New York airports issued storm alerts on social media
- New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency
- Winter weather includes snow, sleet, and freezing rain
- National Weather Service warns of downed trees, outages
- Hazardous travel reported from Great Lakes to New England
- Storm expected to weaken by Saturday morning
- Travelers urged to delay trips and stay updated on conditions
Winter Storm Delays Flights Across Northeast, Great Lakes
Deep Look
BOSTON — A powerful winter storm disrupted holiday travel across large parts of the Northeast and Great Lakes regions late Friday into Saturday, triggering widespread flight cancellations, dangerous road conditions, and multiple state emergency declarations just as Americans hit the roads and skies during the busy Christmas-to-New-Year’s travel window.
As of Saturday morning, more than 1,500 flights had been delayed or canceled, with Newark Liberty, JFK, and LaGuardia airports posting warnings of weather-related disruptions. The snowfall totals in New York City came in under some projections, with just under three inches recorded, but the storm’s impact on air and ground travel was still significant.
Flight-tracking site FlightAware reported a surge in cancellations beginning late Friday night, with ripple effects expected throughout the weekend. Major carriers scrambled to rebook passengers while urging flexibility.
States of Emergency and Official Warnings
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for more than half the state, citing concerns over travel safety, potential power outages, and the need for emergency response coordination. The storm brought a mix of heavy snow, freezing rain, and sleet, heightening risks for both road and air travelers.
In neighboring New Jersey, Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared a statewide emergency as icy conditions threatened to paralyze highways and local streets.
“This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel,” Way warned. “We are urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads.”
Officials across the region echoed the call for caution, especially for those driving during peak holiday transit times. Emergency services braced for the potential of fallen trees, black ice, and power line damage, which could cause localized outages in rural and suburban communities.
National Weather Service Forecasts Travel Hazards
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter weather advisories from the Great Lakes to southern New England, warning of a mix of snow and ice, particularly dangerous for high-elevation and inland areas.
Travelers were cautioned that visibility could drop quickly during squalls and that snow-packed roads could remain slippery even after precipitation ends.
“Conditions could deteriorate rapidly,” the NWS stated. “Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where warnings are in effect.”
Though the storm was expected to weaken by midday Saturday, residual travel disruptions could last into Sunday, especially at major transportation hubs.
Airports Urge Passengers to Monitor Flights
New York City’s three major airports — JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty — all issued storm updates via X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said de-icing operations and runway clearing crews had been deployed across all facilities, but acknowledged that weather-related slowdowns were unavoidable.
Many travelers trying to return home after Christmas — or reach their New Year’s destinations — faced rebookings, missed connections, and hours of delay.
Wider Impacts Beyond New York
While New York bore much of the early focus, the storm’s footprint stretched across a wide swath of the U.S. From parts of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to the western edge of the Great Lakes, communities experienced everything from light flurries to damaging ice accumulations.
In western New York, highway officials reduced speed limits along sections of I-90 and I-81 as visibility dropped and plows struggled to keep up. Snow totals ranged from 3 to 8 inches, depending on location and elevation, with ice glaze reported in central and southern Pennsylvania.
Midwestern cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo also saw delays and cancellations, both in airports and on rail lines. Amtrak issued alerts about slower travel times and possible route adjustments.
Looking Ahead: What Travelers Should Expect
Meteorologists say the worst of the storm has passed, but its lingering effects will be felt for the next day or two as roads refreeze overnight and flight schedules remain out of sync.
Holiday travelers are advised to:
- Monitor flight status online or via airline apps
- Delay non-essential road trips until Sunday or Monday
- Pack extra blankets and supplies if driving long distances
- Check local Department of Transportation websites for road conditions
- Allow extra time for airport security and boarding
While the system moves out of the region, another weaker front could bring light snow or rain to parts of the Northeast by New Year’s Eve, according to long-range forecasts.
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