Over 2,000 U.S. flights canceled as winter storm disrupts travel

U.S. airlines reported 2,372 cancellations and 1,881 delays by midday Tuesday as a winter blizzard affected travel across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Operations improved versus Monday, but disruptions continued for routes to cities including New York and Washington, D.C. Heavy snowfall hit parts of New York and Massachusetts, with Central Park at 19 inches and Warwick, Rhode Island surpassing three feet. Washington, D.C. recorded over three inches, and Nantucket saw wind gusts up to 83 mph. Passengers were advised to monitor flight status closely.

U.S. air travel faced significant operational challenges linked to a winter blizzard affecting the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. By midday Tuesday, flight tracking data from FlightAware indicated 2,372 cancellations alongside 1,881 delays. While these figures marked an improvement from Monday, airlines were still working through ongoing disruption.

Travel to major destinations such as New York and Washington, D.C., as well as other locations across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, remained affected. Weather conditions varied across the region. From Sunday night into Monday, snowfall in parts of New York and Massachusetts reached rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour. In New York City’s Central Park area, total accumulation reached 19 inches. Warwick, Rhode Island reported more than three feet of snow, highlighting localized extremes within the storm system. In Washington, D.C., more than three inches fell from Sunday into Monday, contributing to travel delays and briefly pausing proceedings in both houses of Congress. On Nantucket, wind gusts reached 83 mph, adding to operational complexity for air travel and safety efforts.

The combination of heavy snow, accumulating totals, and high winds underscored ongoing constraints for airlines and airports across regional corridors. With airlines continuing recovery efforts, passengers traveling to or through impacted areas were advised to monitor flight status and plan for potential changes as operations stabilized.

Figures cited are as of midday Tuesday and reflect the immediate impact captured by flight tracking data at that time. The situation showed signs of improvement compared with the previous day, but weather-related variability across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic sustained pressure on scheduling and airport operations. Passengers should continue to check their airline communications and flight trackers for the latest updates on departures and arrivals.