Severe Winter Weather Disrupts Over 5,400 Flights Across the U.S.

Harsh winter conditions persisting across various regions in the U.S. have wreaked havoc on air travel, leading to the disruption of more than 5,400 flights on Tuesday. Flight tracking website FlightAware reported that as of 11 a.m. ET, over 3,700 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed, while more than 1,700 flights were canceled.

Leading the list of disruptions is Southwest Airlines, based in Dallas, which canceled 391 flights and delayed another 518 as of 11 a.m. ET. United Airlines faced cancellations of 310 flights, with an additional 392 flights experiencing delays during the same period.

The ongoing snow, ice, and freezing temperatures sweeping across the Northeast, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic have been causing significant challenges for travelers. The adverse conditions resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights over the holiday weekend, impacting travel plans for many.

Southwest Airlines acknowledged the challenges in a statement, stating, “We are seeing challenges ranging from wintry precipitation and blizzards to frozen equipment and other airfield constraints beyond our control. The persistent dangerous sub-zero windchill requires rotating ground crews to limit their exposure.”

On Monday, FlightAware data revealed a total of 10,919 delays and 3,342 cancellations nationwide. These figures slightly exceeded Sunday’s numbers, which saw total delays reaching 8,898 and cancellations rising to nearly 1,600.

The inclement weather is expected to persist, with forecasts indicating changes in conditions throughout the week. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in New York predicted ongoing light snowfall across the region on Tuesday morning, shifting to a “wintry mix along the coast” later in the day.

In Chicago, the NWS projected “bitterly cold temperatures” continuing through Wednesday morning, with a warning about a system that could bring accumulating snow to some areas by Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The NWS emphasized the potential for more cold temperatures and snow later in the week. The office in Virginia issued a warning of light freezing rain on Tuesday morning in the northwest, with a winter weather advisory in effect through 11 a.m. local time for certain areas.

Travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight status and prepare for possible disruptions as the winter weather conditions persist.