A powerful winter storm swept into the U.S. Northeast early Saturday, snarling post-holiday travel, grounding hundreds of flights, and prompting emergency declarations in New York and New Jersey as snow, ice, and high winds created hazardous conditions across the region.
The storm arrived as millions of travelers were returning from holiday trips, amplifying its impact on air and road transportation. Officials warned that a dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain could make roads treacherous and disrupt weekend plans.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency late Friday, cautioning residents to limit movement as conditions worsened. “The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority,” Hochul said in a statement, urging people to “avoid unnecessary travel” as snowfall intensified.
According to the National Weather Service, winter storm and ice storm warnings stretched across much of New York and Connecticut, with forecasters predicting some of the heaviest snow totals—up to 12 inches in localized areas—on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley.
New York City was forecast to see its most significant snowfall since 2022, with peak accumulation rates possibly exceeding two inches per hour at the height of the storm. Meteorologists warned that snow in many areas could be coated with sleet or freezing rain, increasing the risk of power outages and accidents.
Ice storm warnings and winter weather advisories were also issued for large parts of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, where officials cautioned that strong winds could further complicate conditions.
Air travel across the Northeast was heavily affected as the storm advanced. More than 1,600 U.S. flights were canceled on Friday, while over 7,800 others were delayed, according to data from flight-tracking service FlightAware. An additional 650 flights scheduled for Saturday were later called off as conditions deteriorated.
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The region’s three major airports—John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International—accounted for a significant share of the disruptions. All three airports issued traveler advisories on social media, warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations.
Major airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways said they were waiving change fees to allow affected passengers to rebook without penalty, representatives told Reuters.
On the ground, transportation officials moved quickly to limit risks. New Jersey and Pennsylvania imposed commercial vehicle restrictions on several highways, including key interstate routes, to reduce accidents during the storm.
New Jersey’s acting governor, Tahesha Way, said the storm posed a serious threat to drivers. “This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel,” she said, urging motorists to stay off the roads and allow crews to clear snow and ice.
