Prepare for Extensive Flight Delays Due to Blizzards in Eastern and Midwestern Regions

The wintry weather situation is dire. Forecasters are anticipating a barrage of snowstorms targeting the East Coast and Midwest regions.

The adverse weather conditions have already caused significant disruptions, with over 9,300 flights experiencing delays and close to 800 being canceled just last Sunday.

Anticipating Further Travel Turmoil

As the holiday season approaches, travelers should brace themselves for the possibility of more disturbances. Last weekend, post-Christmas chaos ensued with over 11,000 flights delayed and 1,000 cancellations across the United States, as reported by FlightAware.

The issues extended into Sunday, with 9,300 flight delays and 780 cancellations recorded at the time of reporting.

Airports most affected by these cancellations included Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, and Chicago O'Hare.

Cyclone Warnings from Weather Authorities

The National Weather Service has issued a warning that an 'intense cyclone' will become prominent over the next two days. This phenomenon will usher in heavy snowfall and blizzard-like conditions from the upper Midwest to the Great Lakes, while New England can expect freezing rain. Thunderstorms are predicted for both the East Coast and Southern areas.

For regions surrounding the central Great Lakes, blizzards with accompanying blowing snow are expected to develop from tonight into early Monday.

Weather Alerts and Travel Advisories

Given these conditions, the service's map indicates extensive storm warnings covering much of the Northeastern United States.

This comes in the wake of New York City experiencing over four inches of snow on Saturday—its most significant snow event since January 2022—transforming Central Park into a snowy landscape.

Travel alerts were issued by New York City's airports, including John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty, cautioning travelers about potential disruptions due to inclement weather.

Impact on National Travel Patterns

These snowstorms coincide with a critical travel period in the United States. According to the American Automobile Association's report from December 10, approximately 122.4 million Americans are forecasted to travel at least 50 miles from their homes between December 20 and January 1, 2026.

Notably, an estimated 8.03 million of these travelers are expected to fly domestically, marking a 2.3% increase compared to the same time frame last year.