A fierce winter storm has unleashed chaos across the northeastern United States and the Great Lakes region, severely disrupting peak holiday travel in the days following Christmas. The severe weather, bringing heavy snow and ice, led to the grounding of thousands of flights and forced several states to declare states of emergency, leaving countless travellers stranded.
Transport Hubs Paralyzed, Flight Operations Crippled
The storm, which intensified from Friday into Saturday, battered major transportation centres, creating hazardous conditions. Authorities urgently advised people to avoid roads during one of the year's busiest travel periods. According to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware, more than 9,000 domestic flights within the United States were cancelled or delayed by early Saturday evening.
The epicentre of the air travel disruption was the New York metropolitan area. All three of its major airports—John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty—were heavily impacted. By midday Saturday, approximately 20% of departures from JFK and LaGuardia were cancelled, with another 15% facing delays. Newark Liberty Airport repeatedly issued snow warnings, alerting passengers to expect continued problems. In response to the chaos, major carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue waived change fees for affected passengers.
States of Emergency Declared Amid Treacherous Conditions
The dangerous mix of snow and sleet prompted government officials to take swift action. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for over half the state. Similarly, Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way issued an emergency order, warning that the storm would "cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel." She urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys to allow road crews to work safely.
On the ground, the storm delivered New York City its most substantial snowfall in several years. Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow by early Saturday, marking the first time the city has seen more than four inches of snowfall since January 2022. Surrounding areas faced even harsher conditions, with Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills receiving a hefty 13 inches. While snowfall was less than some forecasts predicted, it was more than enough to paralyse infrastructure and create serious risks from icy roads and poor visibility.
Travellers Stranded as City Workers Scramble to Respond
The storm's timing during a key travel window left many holidaymakers in difficult situations. Airports were filled with stranded passengers facing indefinite waits. Meanwhile, in New York City, municipal workers were deployed across boroughs to clear snow from key areas like Times Square. Despite the travel nightmares, some visitors found a silver lining, embracing the rare and picturesque winter scene. Tourists from states like North Carolina and West Virginia described the unexpected snowfall as a memorable, if disruptive, part of their holiday experience.
The powerful storm serves as a stark reminder of how quickly severe weather can bring highly populated regions to a standstill, underscoring the importance of heeding official warnings during extreme weather events.
