Severe Winter Storm Impacts Millions Across the U.S.

This holiday season, more than 40 million Americans are facing winter storm warnings and weather advisories as heavy snow, particularly from winter storm Devin, disrupts travel plans nationwide. With thousands of flights grounded and delayed, this winter weather is wreaking havoc during what is typically a busy travel time.

Travel Disruptions Due to Winter Storm Devin

According to data from FlightAware, a leading airline monitoring service, there were 1,581 flights canceled and 6,883 delayed within, into, or out of the United States by 4 PM Eastern Time on Friday. These disruptions have caused significant setbacks for air travelers just as they set out to celebrate the holidays.

Warnings and Advisories

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued alerts for hazardous travel conditions as snow forecasts predicted heavy accumulations across the Midwest and Northeast. In addition to the winter warnings, around 30 million residents in California received flood or storm advisories due to an atmospheric river bringing heavy rainfall to the region.

New York City Prepares for Significant Snowfall

New York City, the largest metropolitan area in the U.S., is preparing for a potentially historic snowfall, with expectations of up to 10 inches (approximately 250mm) overnight on Friday. This forecast would mark the highest snowfall in four years for the city, as temperatures are expected to plummet over the weekend with an Arctic chill moving in from Canada.

Airports Bracing for Impact

Major airports including New York’s John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty International, and LaGuardia are advising travelers to brace for potential delays or cancellations. Notably, these three hubs accounted for over half of the cancellations and delays reported by FlightAware.

Airline Cancellations

• JetBlue Airways led the cancellations, with around 225 flights called off on Friday, the highest among U.S. carriers.
• Delta Air Lines followed closely with 212 flights canceled.
• Republic Airways saw 157 cancellations, while American Airlines and United Airlines reported 146 and 97 respectively.

A representative from JetBlue mentioned, “Due to winter storm Devin, we have canceled approximately 350 flights today and tomorrow, primarily in the Northeast where we have a large operation.” This highlight emphasizes the significant impact of the storm on travel across affected regions.

West Coast Weather Challenges

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, powerful winter storms have brought record-breaking rainfall to Southern California, marking the wettest Christmas season in 54 years. Despite easing rain conditions around Los Angeles, officials continued to warn of the potential for flash flooding and mudslides.

In Los Angeles County, firefighters performed over 100 rescues on Thursday, with one heroic effort involving a helicopter rescuing 21 individuals trapped in their vehicles.

Conclusion

This winter storm season is proving to be one of significant disruption as millions navigate the challenges posed by severe weather conditions. With heavy snow in the Northeast and heavy rainfall in California, residents are advised to stay informed and make safe travel decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Over 40 million Americans are under winter storm warnings while 30 million face flood advisories.
• Air travel has been severely impacted with thousands of cancellations and delays reported.
• New York City is expected to face its heaviest snowfall in four years.
• Los Angeles County is dealing with potential flash floods as heavy rains continue.