Severe winter storms have disrupted holiday travel plans throughout the United States, resulting in thousands of flights being cancelled or delayed on Friday, December 26.
Airlines and airports in the Northeast and Midwest have cautioned customers to anticipate significant disruptions, as dangerous weather conditions have hindered operations at major hubs, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
As of 4:04 PM ET, there were 1,802 cancelled flights and 22,349 delays, as reported by flight tracking website FlightAware. JetBlue Airways led with 225 cancellations, followed closely by Delta Air Lines with 186.
The National Weather Service has issued alerts regarding Winter Storm Devin, forecasting perilous travel conditions for the Great Lakes, northern Mid-Atlantic, and southern New England on Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning is in effect from New York City to northeast New Jersey, affecting the Lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Connecticut. The agency noted that some areas could see up to 10 inches of snow in the heaviest bands.
About half of the cancellations were related to flights arriving or departing from New York City’s three major airports: LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark. Airports in Detroit and Boston also faced cancellations and delays.
Airports have communicated warnings on social media, advising travelers of potential disruptions.
New York City has issued a travel advisory for the storm’s duration, mentioning cold temperatures and dangerous road conditions. The weather service has cautioned that road conditions could be hazardous for travelers returning from the holiday.
Other regions are also encountering weather-related travel issues. Freezing rain, sleet, and snow will create treacherous conditions from the Great Lakes extending into New England and the mid-Atlantic until Saturday.
Although winter weather can lead to increased electricity demand, power grids have not shown any signs of stress as of now. However, colder temperatures are pushing up natural gas prices in the United States, which is used for home heating. Futures rose by as much as 3.3% on Friday.
(Edited by : Shweta Mungre)
