NEW YORK, Jan 26 – A powerful winter storm sweeping across large parts of the United States has thrown travel plans into chaos, grounding thousands of flights, delaying many more, and disrupting road travel and power supplies. As freezing rain, heavy snowfall, and strong winds moved across key regions, airlines, airports, and federal agencies warned that conditions could worsen before improving, leaving travelers facing prolonged uncertainty.
By early Monday, air travel disruptions had already reached staggering levels, with cancellations and delays piling up rapidly. The storm’s impact stretched from the Mid Atlantic to the Northeast and into parts of the Southeast, affecting some of the country’s busiest transportation corridors at the height of winter travel season.
Flight Chaos
Airlines were forced to cancel approximately 3,800 flights nationwide, while more than 1,000 additional flights experienced delays as of Monday morning. These numbers followed a brutal Sunday, when over 11,000 flights were scrubbed as carriers struggled to cope with deteriorating weather conditions. Aviation analysts noted that the figures were likely to climb further as the storm system continued its eastward movement.
According to data shared by FlightAware, a widely used flight tracking service, American Airlines accounted for the highest number of disruptions. The carrier canceled more than 600 flights and delayed around 135 others, reflecting the storm’s heavy impact on its hub operations. Regional carrier Republic Airways, along with JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines, also reported significant numbers of cancellations and delays.
The financial markets reacted quickly to the unfolding situation. Shares of major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines (AAL.O), Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), and United Airlines (UAL.O), slipped nearly 1% in premarket trading, signaling investor concerns over operational disruptions and potential revenue losses.
Weather officials explained that a low pressure system developing south of New England was tracking eastward into the Atlantic Ocean. This system brought heavy snow to parts of the Northeast, while areas in the Mid Atlantic experienced freezing rain that created dangerous icing conditions on runways and aircraft. The U.S. National Weather Service warned that snow would also spread along the Appalachian region, while rain pushed along the Southeast coast as a cold front moved offshore.
Passengers felt the impact immediately. Social media platforms, particularly X, were flooded with posts from stranded travelers seeking updates from airlines, rebooking assistance, or clarity on whether their flights would operate. Many described long waits on customer service lines and confusion over constantly changing schedules.
Airlines attempted to ease the burden by issuing broad travel waivers. These policies allowed customers to rebook flights without change fees or penalties, offering flexibility to postpone trips until conditions improve. Industry experts noted, however, that airline operations are deeply interconnected. When flights are canceled, aircraft and crews often end up in the wrong locations, making it difficult to resume normal schedules quickly even after weather improves.
The Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged the growing strain on the air traffic system. In a public advisory, the agency stated that snow, freezing rain, and low visibility were affecting major hubs, including Boston and the New York area airspace. The FAA cautioned that ground stops and delay programs could be implemented through the afternoon at airports such as LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, Philadelphia International, and Washington Dulles International if conditions worsened.
International flights were not immune either. European carriers with routes into the United States reported disruptions over the weekend. Dutch airline KLM confirmed that some of its U.S. bound services had been affected, though the company said it expected operations to normalize as conditions stabilized.
Beyond Airports
The storm’s reach extended far beyond airport terminals. Road travel across multiple states became increasingly hazardous as snow, ice, and strong winds combined to create near whiteout conditions in some areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued warnings urging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel, citing the risk of accidents due to slick roads and reduced visibility.
State and local authorities echoed those warnings, advising residents to stay indoors where possible. Emergency crews were placed on high alert as reports of accidents, stranded vehicles, and fallen trees increased throughout the day.
Power infrastructure also took a hit. Hundreds of thousands of households and businesses across several states reported losing electricity as ice and high winds damaged power lines. States stretching from Tennessee to the Carolinas saw widespread outages, with Tennessee reporting the highest number of affected customers.
Data compiled by PowerOutage.us showed that more than 810,000 customers were without power in the early hours of Monday. Utility companies worked around the clock to restore service, but officials cautioned that repairs could take time due to ongoing weather hazards and accessibility issues.
The combination of flight disruptions, dangerous road conditions, and power outages underscored the storm’s broad impact on daily life. Emergency management officials stressed the importance of preparedness, advising residents to keep emergency supplies on hand, charge mobile devices when possible, and monitor official weather updates.