A severe winter storm has plunged holiday travel into chaos across the northeastern United States, prompting states of emergency and causing massive disruption to thousands of flights during one of the year's busiest travel weekends.
Travel Gridlock as Storm Hits Peak Holiday Period
The powerful storm system, arriving as millions journeyed for the festive holiday, has led to at least 9,000 flights being cancelled or delayed since Friday night, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Major hubs including John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, and LaGuardia Airports issued snow warnings, cautioning passengers about ongoing disruptions.
Forecasters had predicted heavy snowfall, with up to 11 inches anticipated in some areas by Saturday afternoon. While New York City ultimately received 4.3 inches of snow - its most significant accumulation since 2022 - the impact was severe enough to paralyse key transport networks.
States of Emergency and Official Warnings
In response to the dangerous conditions, both New York and New Jersey were placed under states of emergency. New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents on Friday to avoid unnecessary travel, stating: "I encourage everyone to monitor local forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel. If you have to travel, plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams assured the public that preparations were in place, posting on social media: "That white stuff is coming, NYC! We're ready for however much we get." The city's Department of Sanitation mobilised a vast fleet, having prepared 700 million pounds of salt to treat icy roads.
New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way echoed the warnings, declaring: "Due to the severe snowstorm, with the potential of icy and slippery conditions, I have declared a State of Emergency across the state... Please monitor official updates and remain off the roads unless necessary."
Widespread Impact Beyond the Northeast
The storm's repercussions extended far beyond the initial snow zone, causing a ripple effect of delays at airports across the nation. Significant disruptions were reported in locations as far-flung as San Francisco and Orlando, while airports in Florida also experienced hundreds of delayed flights.
The severe weather also brought tragedy to ski resorts. At Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California, two ski patrollers were injured in an avalanche on Friday morning and taken to hospital. The resort has seen over 5 feet (1.5m) of snow since Tuesday. In the Sierra Nevada, snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour made mountain passes treacherous, with local officials rescuing a backcountry skier buried in an avalanche near the Mount Rose ski resort on Thursday.
As the clean-up operation begins, authorities continue to advise caution, with the storm serving as a stark reminder of nature's power to disrupt even the best-laid holiday travel plans.
