Severe winter conditions have caused extensive disruptions in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, affecting thousands of travelers. On Saturday, a formidable winter storm led to the cancellation or delay of more than 2,000 flights. This comes during a crucial travel period between Christmas and New Year’s, a time when air traffic typically surges.
Flight Disruptions Across the U.S.
As of Saturday morning, flight-tracking website FlightAware reported over 2,700 cancellations nationwide since Friday. Airports heavily impacted include:
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LaGuardia Airport
Each of these airports issued warnings about potential flight disruptions due to the hazardous weather conditions.
Emergency Declarations and Travel Advisories
In response to the storm, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in over half of the state. She urged residents to reconsider their travel plans to allow snowplows to clear the roads effectively. “If you can stay off the roads for just a few more hours… it’s just a volume of snow,” she stated in an interview.
National Weather Service Warnings
The National Weather Service has issued warnings indicating hazardous travel conditions may persist. This situation affects areas from the Great Lakes to northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Important statistics include:
- Over 13 million people are under a winter weather advisory.
- 7.7 million individuals are on alert due to a winter storm watch.
Areas experiencing the most severe warnings are central Pennsylvania, the New York Tri-State area, and northward.
Ice and Snow Forecast
Winter storm warnings remain active from Friday afternoon through midday Saturday for several regions, including:
- New York City
- Northern New Jersey
- Most of Long Island
- The Hudson Valley
- Western Connecticut
An ice storm warning has also been declared for parts of central Pennsylvania. Central Michigan, southwestern New York, and central Pennsylvania are expected to see particularly hazardous icy conditions.
Future Weather Developments
The forecast predicts additional snow in the Midwest and Great Lakes over the weekend, along with possible rain and thunderstorms on Sunday evening. Blizzard conditions could emerge early Monday, characterized by strong winds and blowing snow.
As of Saturday, snow activities are likely to end across central and southern New England, where snow accumulation may reach between four to eight inches in specific areas. Temperatures are expected to plummet, especially in Montana, where wind chill factors could bring temperatures below zero.
Travelers should remain vigilant and stay updated on weather reports as conditions evolve in the coming days, particularly those in the affected regions.
