Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Flights in NYC, Holiday Travel Affected

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

A severe winter storm sweeping over the northeastern United States has led to a significant halt in air travel in New York City, impacting thousands of holiday travellers and prompting airlines to cancel numerous flights at major regional airports.

As reported by flight-tracking service FlightAware, over 400 flights were cancelled by Friday morning at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, with many others facing delays as airlines preemptively grounded their services.

Airlines acted swiftly as weather forecasts predicted heavy snowfall, deteriorating visibility, and increasing winds expected to worsen through Saturday, resulting in perilous conditions for both air operations and ground travel.

Intensifying Snow Expected Through Saturday

The National Weather Service anticipates snowfall between four to eight inches in New York City, Long Island, and adjacent regions. The most substantial snow accumulation is predicted from Friday afternoon to late Saturday morning, with sub-freezing temperatures raising the likelihood of icy roads and diminished visibility.

City officials have warned residents and travellers to brace for rapidly deteriorating conditions. New York City Emergency Management advised against non-essential travel, noting that light snow could quickly intensify by evening.

Activation of Emergency Response Protocols

Mayor Eric Adams announced that all city departments are engaged in the Winter Weather Emergency Plan, with crews on standby across the five boroughs.

“As New Yorkers continue celebrating the holidays and look forward to the New Year, they should also prepare for hazardous conditions from Friday through Saturday,” Adams stated. He recommended that residents avoid driving when possible, allow ample time for public transportation, and stay updated with official announcements.

Sanitation teams have commenced road pretreatment operations early Friday, deploying salt spreaders and positioning snow plows ahead of the storm's arrival. Officials have cautioned that waste collection and other services might experience delays as crews focus on maintaining clear major roadways.

Travelers Face Dangerous Conditions

Emergency personnel are on continuous duty to assist with snow removal and road management. Property owners are reminded of their obligation to clear sidewalks promptly to ensure pedestrian safety, with potential fines for non-compliance.

Snowfall is projected to taper off by midday Saturday, but authorities have warned that icy conditions could linger into Sunday. A more potent cold front heading into the week may result in freezing rain affecting parts of western Pennsylvania, with strong winds forecasted for cities such as Washington and Philadelphia.

Regional Ripple Effects

Winter weather advisories remain active for sections of southern Connecticut, northeastern New Jersey, and the broader mid-Atlantic area. As the storm progresses eastward, forecasters predict it may transition into freezing rain before moving out to sea.

As this holiday season represents one of the busiest travel weekends, airlines have advised passengers that disruptions may persist even after the snowfall ceases, as crews will need time to de-ice aircraft and clear runways.

Currently, travellers aiming to fly out of New York are experiencing ongoing flight cancellations and delays, with officials stressing the importance of patience and safety until conditions improve for regular operations to resume.