The ‘Clipper System’ winter storm wreaked havoc on US travel Friday, grounding over 1,800 flights and delaying thousands more for returning holiday travelers. Airports in major cities like New York, Boston, and Detroit became scenes of widespread disruption as the storm unleashed hazardous weather across the region. According to FlightAware, by Friday afternoon, the number of canceled flights had surpassed 1,802, with delays affecting over 22,340 flights.
The National Weather Service issued alerts for dangerous conditions impacting areas from the Great Lakes to New England. The New York metropolitan area, a major travel nexus, was particularly hard-hit. JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports grappled with significant operational challenges, including reduced visibility and the necessity of clearing runways amidst heavy snowfall, contributing to nearly half of the nation’s flight cancellations.
Detroit experienced substantial flight delays, creating a significant ‘choke point’ and signaling potential lingering disruptions for the upcoming weekend. Heavy snow accumulations, potentially reaching 10 inches, were forecast for regions including Long Island and parts of Connecticut. In western Pennsylvania, an ice storm warning was in effect, with expectations of icy roads and power line damage.
Travelers faced perilous conditions, with New York City issuing an advisory about extreme cold and the creation of icy roadways. The NWS strongly recommended avoiding unnecessary travel until Saturday morning due to hazardous conditions. The cold weather also impacted energy markets, pushing US natural gas futures up by 3.3% due to increased demand for heating. A severe cold front is predicted to bring a significantly colder end to the year across the Mid-Atlantic and Washington D.C. areas.