Northeastern US Grounded: Over 1,500 Flights Delayed Amid Heavy Snowstorm

A powerful snowstorm brought holiday travel to a grinding halt in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations. According to FlightAware, over 1,500 flights were grounded starting Friday night, affecting thousands of travelers during the busy Christmas-New Year period. Conditions began to improve by Saturday morning as roads were cleared, and air traffic started to stabilize. New York City received about four inches of snow, slightly less than forecasted. Forecaster Bob Oravec from the National Weather Service confirmed that the storm was winding down, with only light flurries expected across the Northeast. The heaviest snowfall was recorded in central and eastern Long Island, exceeding six inches in some areas. Communities in the Catskills received up to 10 inches of snow. Several major airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport, issued snow warnings on Friday, cautioning travelers about possible flight disruptions. The National Weather Service warned of hazardous travel conditions stretching from the Great Lakes to southern New England, with risks of tree damage and power outages. Ahead of the storm, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency across more than half the state, while Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a statewide emergency, urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and follow safety protocols.