Southern Snows and Northeastern Storms Disrupt U.S. Holiday Travel Plans
Severe winter weather has disrupted holiday travel plans across the eastern United States, affecting millions during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Snowfall reached areas typically unaccustomed to winter weather, creating hazardous travel conditions from Long Island to the Florida Panhandle.
Travel Disruptions Due to Southern Snows and Northeastern Storms
Flight cancellations and delays severely impacted travelers. Over 4,100 flights were delayed, with 442 cancellations reported, according to FlightAware.com. This chaos unfolded amid two distinct storm systems affecting much of the country, placing around 55 million people under winter weather alerts.
Significant Snow Accumulations
People from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast experienced winter weather. Snow fell in several states, including:
- 5 inches in Whitefield, New Hampshire
- 4.5 inches in Saratoga Springs, New York
- 3 inches in Smithville, Georgia
- 2.8 inches in Lancaster, Massachusetts
These events marked a continuation of unusual snowfall patterns, with Florida receiving snow for the second consecutive year.
Road Safety and Travel Warnings
The weather made travel treacherous, leading to multiple vehicle accidents. In Berks County, Pennsylvania, a chain-reaction pileup occurred on Interstate 78 due to slick roads. New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to limit travel and stay informed as conditions evolved.
Air Travel Impacted in the Northeast
The Northeast faced the most severe impacts on air travel. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport were the primary sources of delays and cancellations. Newark Liberty International Airport also issued ground delays amid the inclement weather conditions.
Forecast and Alerts
Forecasts suggest continued snowfall Sunday evening as the winter storm moves from the mid-Atlantic to New England, with snow showers lingering into early Monday. The Interstate 95 corridor is expected to see:
- Dusting to 1 inch in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore
- 1 to 4 inches in New York City and Philadelphia
- 3 to 6 inches across the Boston area
Cold Weather Alerts Across the Region
Additionally, around 51 million people in the Great Plains and Southeast are under Cold Weather Alerts. An arctic weather pattern is expected to keep temperatures significantly below average throughout the region, with high temperatures on Sunday ranging from 10 to 20 degrees below normal.
Upcoming Weather Conditions
Wind chills in the Midwest may plummet to between 20 and 35 degrees below zero. While no record lows are anticipated, daytime highs early next week are not expected to exceed 25 degrees below average. A potential temperature rebound is forecasted for the middle of the week.
