MENA Newswire, WASHINGTON, December 27: More than 1,000 flights were cancelled across the United States on Friday as a severe winter storm disrupted one of the busiest travel periods of the year, grounding aircraft and stranding passengers nationwide. Airlines reported widespread operational delays as heavy snow, ice, and strong winds swept through major regions from the Great Lakes to New England, coinciding with peak post-holiday travel. According to data from flight-tracking platform FlightAware, by midday Eastern Time, 1,097 flights had been cancelled within, into, or out of the United States, while 3,608 others were delayed.
The disruptions affected several major hubs including Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. Airlines cited weather conditions and safety concerns as primary reasons for the cancellations. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings across a broad stretch of the country, encompassing parts of the Great Lakes region, the northern Mid-Atlantic, and southern New England. Forecasters said snowfall accumulations could exceed 12 inches in localized areas, accompanied by freezing rain and winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour.
The NWS cautioned travelers to expect hazardous driving conditions and potential power outages through Saturday morning as the system moved eastward. Airlines including American, United, Delta, and Southwest activated travel waivers, allowing passengers to change itineraries without additional fees. Airport authorities deployed de-icing equipment and maintenance crews to maintain runway safety, though visibility and icy conditions slowed operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was coordinating with airlines and airport management to mitigate congestion and ensure flight safety amid reduced capacity.
Federal Aviation Administration monitors disruption
Transportation departments across several states reported deteriorating road conditions, particularly in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Snowplows and emergency response teams were dispatched to clear major interstates and assist stranded motorists. Officials in Massachusetts and Connecticut urged residents to remain indoors where possible as snow accumulation intensified in the afternoon and evening hours. Localized power outages were reported in parts of upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania as heavy, wet snow weighed down power lines. The timing of the storm coincided with one of the busiest travel weekends of the holiday season. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projected that more than 25 million passengers would pass through airport checkpoints between December 20 and January 2.
Friday’s cancellations marked one of the largest single-day disruptions of the 2025 holiday period, with ripple effects expected to extend into Saturday as airlines worked to reassign aircraft and crews. Amtrak also reported service modifications across several northeastern routes, citing track icing and operational limitations. Bus companies serving regional corridors between the Midwest and Northeast announced delays and route suspensions. Logistics and parcel delivery services said adverse weather was slowing last-mile deliveries in some storm-affected areas, particularly in suburban and rural zones. In the Midwest, snowfall rates exceeded two inches per hour in parts of Michigan and northern Illinois, reducing visibility to near zero in some locations. The Michigan Department of Transportation advised motorists to avoid nonessential travel and issued alerts for sections of Interstate 94 and Interstate 96.
Airport operations strained as snow accumulation increases
Chicago’s Department of Aviation said snow-clearing operations at O’Hare and Midway airports were ongoing but that high winds were affecting departure schedules. In New England, forecasters warned of coastal flooding in low-lying areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine as the storm system moved offshore late Friday. Boston’s Logan Airport recorded sustained winds of over 30 miles per hour with temperatures near freezing, complicating de-icing and runway clearing efforts. Authorities in Connecticut and New Hampshire activated emergency operation centers to coordinate responses to power disruptions and transportation impacts. Friday’s storm added to what meteorologists have described as one of the most active winter weather patterns in recent years for late December.
While conditions are expected to gradually improve over the weekend, residual delays are anticipated at several airports as airlines resume normal scheduling. Travelers were advised to check flight status before heading to airports and allow additional time for security and rebooking procedures. The National Weather Service said winter storm warnings would remain in effect through early Saturday across portions of the Great Lakes, the Mid-Atlantic, and New England, with lighter snow and freezing rain forecast to continue into the morning hours. Transportation and emergency management agencies are expected to remain on alert until the system fully clears the northeastern United States.