Thousands of travelers in the United States are facing disruptions as a severe winter storm hits the northeast, causing widespread flight cancellations and delays during the busy holiday travel season.

As of Friday night, 1,600 flights across the country had been cancelled, and 7,400 flights were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. The worst-affected airports include John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), all serving the New York metropolitan area. Other major cities impacted include Boston, Chicago, and Toronto, Canada.

Snowfall and Weather Warnings

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning from 16:00 local time on Friday (21:00 GMT) through 13:00 on Saturday, forecasting up to 9 inches (23 cm) of snow in New York City and southern Connecticut.

Snowfall is expected to peak between 18:00 local time (23:00 GMT) and midnight, creating hazardous driving conditions. Authorities are advising residents to carry emergency supply kits and limit travel to essential trips only.

Airline Flight Cancellations

Major airlines have already cancelled numerous flights:

• Delta Air Lines: 241 flights
• JetBlue Airways: 229 flights
• Republic Airways: 180 flights
• Southwest Airlines: 151 flights
• American Airlines & United Airlines: ~100 flights each

Airports and airlines are urging passengers to check flight status online before heading to terminals. Social media updates from airports are actively alerting travelers about delays and cancellations.

Travel Advice from Officials

New York Governor Kathy Hochul advised residents to avoid unnecessary trips, and if travel is essential, to plan ahead, drive cautiously, and leave plenty of time. Similar warnings were issued by the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut.

Mayor Eric Adams asked drivers commuting on Friday to leave work early or consider public transportation to avoid being stranded.

City Preparations

Snow ploughs were deployed in New York City and were ready to clear streets after two inches of accumulation. This marks the second significant snowfall of the season for the city, following an earlier snowfall on 14 December that covered streets in several inches of snow.

Residents are bracing for icy conditions on roads, and public services are working to ensure minimal disruption.