Winter Storm Cancels Over 9,000 Flights As Blizzard Buries Northeast

Airports Paralyzed As Cancellations Top 9,000

Air travel across the Northeast has slowed to a near standstill.

As of Monday afternoon:

• 9,000+ total U.S. flight cancellations through Tuesday

• 5,500+ flights canceled Monday alone

• 1,700+ additional cancellations already posted for Tuesday

• Nearly 20% of all scheduled U.S. departures scrubbed at peak impact

The hardest-hit airports include:

• LaGuardia Airport – Nearly entire daily schedule canceled

• John F. Kennedy International Airport – Widespread cancellations into Tuesday

• Boston Logan International Airport – Over 90% of flights canceled at peak

• Newark Liberty International Airport – Major operational shutdowns

• Philadelphia International Airport – Significant cancellations and delays

Airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines have issued travel waivers, allowing passengers to rebook without change fees in many cases.

Airlines routinely pre-cancel flights ahead of major storms to avoid stranding aircraft and crews, but the geographic scale of this system has made recovery more complex.

Snowfall Totals So Far

Snow accumulation is reaching historic levels in several areas.

Confirmed and reported snowfall totals:

• Babylon, Long Island: 29.5 inches (unofficial)

• Remsenburg-Speonk, NY: 27.5 inches

• Multiple towns across NJ, NY, RI, MA: 24+ inches

• Central Park, NYC: 19.7 inches (top-10 snowfall on record)

• Boston metro: 18–24 inches in several communities

According to the National Weather Service, blizzard conditions — defined as sustained winds above 35 mph and visibility under a quarter mile for at least three hours — have stretched from the New Jersey coast through southeastern New England.

More than 40 million people remain under blizzard warnings spanning roughly 700 miles.

Over 600,000 Without Power

As heavy, wet snow piles onto trees and power lines, outages are climbing.

• 600,000+ customers without power across the East Coast

• Nearly 300,000 outages in Massachusetts alone

• Over 125,000 customers without power in New Jersey

• Significant outages across Cape Cod and coastal communities

Grid operators report that high-voltage transmission systems remain stable, but local distribution lines have suffered widespread damage due to falling trees and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph in some coastal areas. Some utility providers have warned that restoration in hardest-hit zones could take three to five days.

Transit Suspensions And Travel Bans

Air travel is not the only disruption.

• NJ Transit suspended all trains, buses, and light rail service

• Several Amtrak routes between New York and Boston canceled

• Broadway performances canceled Monday night

• Travel bans implemented in parts of New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island

Roadways including sections of Interstate 95 experienced whiteout conditions, with drivers urged to remain off highways during peak snowfall.

In New York City, more than 800 emergency shovelers were deployed, and officials described the storm as one of the most significant in a decade.

Is This A Top-Tier Blizzard?

With 19.7 inches recorded in Central Park, this storm has already entered the top 10 snowfall events in New York City history, with records dating back to 1869.

Long Island’s near-30-inch totals place this storm among the most severe localized snowfalls since the January 2016 blizzard.

While snowfall is expected to taper in parts of New York and New Jersey first, southeastern New England may continue to see heavy snow into the evening.

What Travelers Should Do Now

If you are scheduled to travel:

• Confirm flight status directly with your airline

• Do not head to the airport without verification

• Monitor rebooking deadlines and waiver policies

• Prepare for potential multi-day recovery delays

Even after snowfall ends, repositioning aircraft and crews may prolong cancellations into midweek.

FAQ: 9,000 Flights Canceled

How many flights were canceled in this winter storm?

More than 9,000 flights nationwide have been canceled through Tuesday.

What are the highest snowfall totals so far?

Babylon, NY reported 29.5 inches, while Central Park recorded 19.7 inches, placing it in NYC’s top 10 snowstorms.

How many people are without power?

Over 600,000 customers across the East Coast are currently without electricity.

Which airports are most affected?

LaGuardia, JFK, Boston Logan, Newark, and Philadelphia have seen the most severe disruptions.

When will flights resume normal operations?

Some service may resume Tuesday, but full recovery could take several days depending on crew and aircraft positioning.

How long will the flight disruptions last?

Airlines may take several days to fully recover as crews and aircraft are repositioned after widespread cancellations.

When will the blizzard conditions officially end?

Snowfall is expected to taper first in parts of New York and New Jersey, with southeastern New England improving later. Wind and cleanup impacts may persist beyond snowfall.

Why were so many flights canceled in advance?

Airlines often pre-cancel flights before severe weather to prevent aircraft and crews from being stranded at closed airports.

Is this storm worse than the 2016 blizzard?

While some Long Island areas are approaching 2016 totals, New York City remains below the 27.5-inch record set during the January 2016 blizzard.

What states are under blizzard warnings?

Blizzard warnings have stretched from parts of Maryland through New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and into southern New England.

Are refunds required for canceled flights?

Yes. U.S. airlines must provide refunds for canceled flights if passengers choose not to accept rebooking options.