New York, USA – A powerful winter storm that struck the northeastern United States after the Christmas holidays caused massive travel disruptions. Heavy snow blanketed major cities, leading to the cancellation and delay of thousands of flights. It also paralyzed traffic on highways at the peak of the annual commuting season.
Record numbers of flight disruptions
According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, the United States experienced a difficult day at its airports. More than 10,000 flights (domestic and international) were delayed, and 1,056 flights were canceled entirely.
The crisis was concentrated in the three major airports surrounding New York (John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark International).
This disruption comes at a particularly sensitive time. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had predicted that December 28th would be the busiest day of the holiday season, with approximately 2.86 million passengers expected to arrive at airports.
Unprecedented snow and emergency situations
New York City’s Central Park recorded 11 cm of snow, the highest level recorded in the city since 2022. Meanwhile, the mountain town of Venice saw snow accumulation of about 33 cm.
swift official action
New York and New Jersey have declared a state of emergency to address the damage caused by freezing temperatures.
New York Governor Kathy Hookal stated, “The safety of our residents is our top priority.” She urged citizens to exercise extreme caution and stay home if necessary.
Road traffic paralyzed
The effects weren’t limited to the air; they extended to the ground. New Jersey and Pennsylvania imposed strict restrictions on the movement of commercial vehicles and trucks on numerous highways.
The New York State Department of Transportation urged travelers to use smart apps to monitor real-time road conditions to avoid getting stuck.
Predictions of a second wave
The National Weather Service and CNN warned that the suffering is not over. Another winter storm is expected to hit the Northeast and Midwest starting this evening, bringing strong winds and snow that could exceed 30 centimeters in the Great Lakes region, threatening further complications for travelers returning from their vacations.
