Winter Storm Causes Major Travel Disruptions Across US Northeast
Published 26 December 2025
Highlights
- A severe winter storm has led to the cancellation of over 1,600 flights and delays of 7,400 across the US, particularly affecting New York area airports.
- The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, predicting up to 9 inches of snow in New York and southern Connecticut.
- New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency, urging residents to avoid travel due to hazardous road conditions.
- Airlines such as JetBlue, Delta, and Southwest have been significantly impacted, with hundreds of flights canceled.
- The storm, which brought 6-10 inches of snow to parts of the Northeast, is expected to taper off by Saturday afternoon.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Winter Storm Causes Major Travel Disruptions Across US Northeast
As a formidable winter storm sweeps across the US Northeast, thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed, causing significant disruptions during the peak holiday travel season. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, over 1,600 flights were canceled and 7,400 delayed by Friday night, with the most severe impacts felt at major New York airports, including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. Boston, Chicago, and Toronto have also experienced significant disruptions.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon, forecasting up to 9 inches of snow in New York and southern Connecticut. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of safety, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel. "Plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to get to where you need to go safely," she advised.
Airlines have been hit hard, with JetBlue canceling 229 flights, Delta 241, and Southwest 151. Social media channels have been flooded with warnings for travelers to check their flight statuses. The heaviest snowfall was expected between Friday evening and midnight, prompting officials to deploy snow plows and issue travel advisories.
By early Saturday, the storm had deposited between 6 to 10 inches of snow from Syracuse to Long Island, with New York City receiving up to 4.3 inches in Central Park. The storm has prompted states of emergency in New York and New Jersey, with officials urging extreme caution. "The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority," Governor Hochul reiterated.
As the storm begins to subside, only a few flurries are expected to linger into Saturday afternoon. However, ice storm warnings and winter weather advisories remain in effect for parts of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. New Jersey's acting governor, Tahesha Way, highlighted the dangerous road conditions, advising travelers to stay off the roads to allow crews to clear them.
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Scenario Analysis
As the storm begins to wane, the focus will shift to recovery and resumption of normal travel operations. Airlines will face the challenge of rebooking thousands of passengers, potentially leading to further delays and congestion. The economic impact on airlines and local businesses could be significant, particularly given the timing during the holiday season.
Politically, the response to the storm may be scrutinized, especially if recovery efforts are slow or inadequate. Governors Hochul and Way's proactive measures, including states of emergency and travel advisories, may mitigate some criticism. However, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched.
Looking ahead, experts suggest that climate change could lead to more frequent and severe winter storms, necessitating improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness to handle such disruptions.
As a formidable winter storm sweeps across the US Northeast, thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed, causing significant disruptions during the peak holiday travel season. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, over 1,600 flights were canceled and 7,400 delayed by Friday night, with the most severe impacts felt at major New York airports, including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. Boston, Chicago, and Toronto have also experienced significant disruptions.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon, forecasting up to 9 inches of snow in New York and southern Connecticut. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of safety, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel. "Plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to get to where you need to go safely," she advised.
Airlines have been hit hard, with JetBlue canceling 229 flights, Delta 241, and Southwest 151. Social media channels have been flooded with warnings for travelers to check their flight statuses. The heaviest snowfall was expected between Friday evening and midnight, prompting officials to deploy snow plows and issue travel advisories.
By early Saturday, the storm had deposited between 6 to 10 inches of snow from Syracuse to Long Island, with New York City receiving up to 4.3 inches in Central Park. The storm has prompted states of emergency in New York and New Jersey, with officials urging extreme caution. "The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority," Governor Hochul reiterated.
As the storm begins to subside, only a few flurries are expected to linger into Saturday afternoon. However, ice storm warnings and winter weather advisories remain in effect for parts of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. New Jersey's acting governor, Tahesha Way, highlighted the dangerous road conditions, advising travelers to stay off the roads to allow crews to clear them.
What this might mean
As the storm begins to wane, the focus will shift to recovery and resumption of normal travel operations. Airlines will face the challenge of rebooking thousands of passengers, potentially leading to further delays and congestion. The economic impact on airlines and local businesses could be significant, particularly given the timing during the holiday season.
Politically, the response to the storm may be scrutinized, especially if recovery efforts are slow or inadequate. Governors Hochul and Way's proactive measures, including states of emergency and travel advisories, may mitigate some criticism. However, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched.
Looking ahead, experts suggest that climate change could lead to more frequent and severe winter storms, necessitating improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness to handle such disruptions.
