A winter storm sweeping across the U.S. Northeast and Great Lakes disrupted holiday travel between Christmas and New Year’s, canceling and delaying thousands of flights and creating hazardous road conditions as millions traveled by air and car.
Snowfall affected major population centers including New York City, while airports and highways across several states faced significant operational challenges before conditions began to improve by Saturday morning.
More than 1,500 flights were canceled beginning Friday night, with delays and cancellations continuing into Saturday across the New York metropolitan area and surrounding regions.
By mid-morning Saturday, more than 14,400 domestic U.S. flights and an additional 2,100 international flights were canceled or delayed, according to flight-tracking data.
Major airports including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport issued snow warnings advising travelers of possible disruptions.
Airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways waived change fees to accommodate passengers affected by the storm.
New York City recorded between two and four inches of snow overnight, with higher totals reported in surrounding areas including Long Island, the Catskills, and parts of central New York.
“The good news is that the heaviest snow is done,” said Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service.
He noted that the storm was moving quickly and weakening by Saturday morning, allowing roads and skies to gradually clear.
Officials across the region issued emergency declarations as a precaution against dangerous conditions.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency covering more than half of the state, while Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way issued a statewide emergency declaration.
“This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel,” Way said in a statement.
The National Weather Service warned of treacherous travel from the Great Lakes through the northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England, citing risks of ice, power outages, and fallen trees.
Several states imposed commercial vehicle restrictions on major highways as crews worked to clear snow and treat roadways.
In New York City, sanitation workers cleared slush-covered streets and sidewalks as tourists and residents navigated the wintry conditions.
By Saturday morning, forecasters said only light flurries remained, signaling a gradual return to normal travel operations.