Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Travel Across the US

Sat Dec 27 2025 11:36:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An impending winter storm has led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays as the eastern US faces significant snowfall, particularly affecting major airports in the New York area during this holiday season.

As a winter storm approaches the northeast US, thousands of flights have experienced cancellations and delays, particularly around New York's major airports. The National Weather Service has issued warnings with expectations of heavy snowfall, prompting officials to advise travelers to check their flight statuses.

As the northeast United States braces for a severe winter storm during one of the busiest travel times of the year, thousands of flights have already been disrupted. As of late Friday night, over 1,600 flights were cancelled and an additional 7,400 delayed, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking service.

The airports most affected by the storm include John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia, all of which support the New York metropolitan area. Airports in Boston, Chicago, and Toronto are experiencing similar challenges.

In response to the anticipated conditions, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning starting at 4 PM local time on Friday, extending until 1 PM on Saturday, with predictions of snowfall up to 9 inches (23 cm) in parts of New York City and southern Connecticut.

Airlines are already feeling the impact: JetBlue Airways has cancelled 229 flights, Delta has scrapped 241, and other airlines like American Airlines and United are also experiencing cancellations. Travelers are being urged to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.

The heaviest snowfall is expected between 6 PM and midnight, creating hazardous travel conditions not only for air travel but also on the roads. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare adequately if they must go out.

This winter storm marks the second significant snowfall event for New York City this season, following a previous dusting earlier in December.