Winter storm snarls post-holiday travel in US Northeast, over 1,000 flights cancelled

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 28, 2025 00:24 IST

A winter storm sweeping across the US Northeast early Saturday snarled post-holiday travel, grounding thousands of flights, disrupting road traffic and prompting emergency declarations in several states as snow and ice blanketed the region.

The storm dumped several inches of snow from Pennsylvania to New England, with the greatest impacts felt in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Officials urged residents to stay off the roads due to hazardous conditions caused by snow, sleet and freezing rain.

New York City recorded roughly two to four inches of snow overnight, with Central Park reporting more than four inches, the city’s heaviest snowfall in years. Heavier accumulations were reported in parts of Long Island, the Catskills and central New York, where snowfall reached six to 10 inches. Portions of Connecticut and Massachusetts also saw significant accumulation.

Air travel was heavily affected as the storm coincided with the busy travel period between Christmas and New Year’s. By mid-morning Saturday, more than 14,000 domestic U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware, with the majority of disruptions centered around major New York-area hubs.

John F. Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty Airport all issued snow advisories and warned travelers of potential delays. An additional 2,000 international flights scheduled to arrive or depart the U.S. were also canceled.

Major airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways announced they were waiving change fees to allow passengers to rebook without penalties due to weather-related disruptions.

Governors in New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency, citing dangerous travel conditions and the potential for accidents. Commercial vehicle restrictions were imposed on several highways, including major interstates in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Weather Service issued winter weather advisories and ice storm warnings across much of the region, warning of slippery roads, reduced visibility and possible power outages.

Forecasters said the storm was fast-moving and began weakening by Saturday morning. While only light flurries lingered into the afternoon, officials cautioned that lingering ice and slush could continue to pose risks for travelers. Cleanup crews worked throughout major cities to clear roads, sidewalks and airport runways as conditions gradually improved.

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