A major winter storm is complicating air travel across the Upper Midwest and Northeast.
Parts of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and western New York are currently seeing a mix of snow, ice, and freezing rain, and as the system moves east, heavy snow is expected in the Hudson Valley and the New York metro area, as well as in New Jersey, western Maryland, and southern New England.
The National Weather Service predicts four to eight inches of snow, though certain areas, particularly in the tri-state region, could see more.
In response, airlines are canceling and delaying flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. As of midday Friday, over 1,000 flights to, from, and within the U.S. had been canceled, according to FlightAware, and over 3,100 had been delayed. The three main New York-area airports – JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark, New Jersey – saw the highest number of cancellations, followed by Philadelphia and Detroit.
CNBC reported Friday that several large carriers, including United, Delta, American, and Southwest, are allowing passengers in the region to change their flights without any additional charges.
The storm, which developed quickly this week, could hardly have come at a worse time. Industry trade groups and government agencies are predicting one of the busiest holiday travel seasons on record, and according to the Transportation Security Administration, three of the busiest days – Dec. 27-29 – will come right after the storm hits the Northeast.
