Northeast Winter Storm Disrupts Holiday Travel, Thousands of Flights Affected

 

A powerful mix of snow and ice sweeping across the U.S. Northeast has caused major travel disruptions, leading to thousands of flight delays and cancellations across the region. The storm, which hit early Saturday, prompted states of emergency in New York and New Jersey and forced officials to warn residents to stay off treacherous roads.

Airports in the New York metropolitan area—including JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty—were among the hardest hit, with airlines struggling to manage the post‑holiday travel surge. According to flight‑tracking data, more than 5,580 flights were delayed and at least 860 were canceled as of Saturday afternoon.

Snowfall totals ranged from 15 to 25 centimeters across parts of New York, Connecticut, and Long Island, with New York City recording 2 to 4 inches in Central Park. Crews worked through the morning to de‑ice aircraft and clear runways as passengers faced long waits and rebooking challenges.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized safety as the top priority, urging residents to exercise extreme caution during the storm’s duration.

Airlines have issued weather waivers, allowing travelers to change flights without penalty as the system continues to move through the region.